Table of Contents
QUESTION
Most of us portray gender roles to varying extremes and in various ways. Some of us are androgynous in our gender roles. Some people feel pressured by peers, family, or societal assumptions to act in certain ways. Look at your own gender role behaviors. Why do you act as you act? Do you assume gender roles by choice or do you “go with the flow” and do what is expected or you? Use the information in the text to think about these questions before forming your answer.
ANSWER
In many times, people behave, act and carry out roles differently from others. This could be due to personal, biological and traditional reasons. For instance, I act and play some roles in a way I feel comfortable with self, and those that align to the way I was brought up. Therefore, it has become a norm in regards to my social, mental and physical conformation.
Being female exposed me to female related events during my childhood. I was exposed to female related television programs, characters, and behaviors. Research reveals that when individuals are exposed earlier to some roles and behaviors, they are likely to be perfect in them. This takes into account on how children are brought up by their parents (Knox and Schacht, 2007, p. 49). For instance, my mother used to emphasize on sex restriction. She held that daughters are supposed to be more sex restrictive than boys. Therefore, this has contributed to some of my behaviors especially on the matters of sex.
Peers have influenced the way I act and do play some roles. They have a great impact on somebody’s behavior because much time is spent with them (Hanish, and Fabes, 2014, p. 3). They appeared important during my schooling times. Most of my friends influenced the way I conduct myself. The way I do makeups is attributable to my peers. Therefore, to conform to the norm of girls, I chose to learn from the other girls.
Teachers influenced the roles and behaviors I portray today. They played a major role in influencing my gender and role development. I spent much time during my school age with teachers helping me to learn a lot from them. For instance, my biology teacher was my role model who influenced my behaviors and role development. Additionally, the other female teachers greatly influence my style of dressing and movement. I admired, gained and applied their demeanor (Knox and Schacht, 2007, p. 51)
My religious background holds a lot to my gender roles and behaviors. Religion explains the existence of life, birth, and death. My religion is predominant of male domination. This reigns from the time of Adam and Eve (Coalition, 2014, p. 2). It defines that power and status meant for both males and females. Religion keeps on influencing my gender roles, and behaviors. It has taught me that women are supposed to act humbly under men in the family, the churches, and in the majority of the set-ups. The laws of the Christian religion does not allow women to take a leadership position in the church. Men can become ministers, priests, and rabbis, unlike women. This has ensured that I participate in the church at appropriate levels that women are allowed. I sing the choir, and I participate in cleaning programs.
Lastly, my behaviors and gender roles can be attributed to the biological changes that I experienced during physical growth. This includes some hormonal changes during the puberty transitional period. This hormonal changes brought a lot of effects in me. It influenced my emotional behaviors during my teenage. I acquired a calm and silent mood most of the time.
Personally, I don’t follow the crowd to carry out my daily expected roles like studying, attending meetings and helping where I am supposed to. This is because there is a need for uniqueness in individual responsibilities. Also, doing things my way distinguishes me from the crowd and fulfills the desire for personal uniqueness. I can concur that I try as much as possible to conform to the social expectations regarding gender roles and behaviors. However, I sometimes miss a step or two for conformity for reasons unavoidable at a particular scenario.
- Coalition, T.-T.G., (2014). TGC – The Gospel Coalition.
- Hanish, L., Fabes, R., (2014). Gender: early socialization | Peer socialization of gender in young boys and girls.
- Knox, D., Schacht, C., (2007). Choices in Relationships: Introduction to Marriage and the Family. Cengage Learning.