Essay on Gender Roles - 2001 Words

The term gender roles refers to the set of social and behavioral norms that are considered appropriate for individuals of a certain gender. These roles vary between cultures. Gender roles, unlike gender itself, are socially constructed. They may reflect the natural aspirations of the gender, or they may be manipulated, resulting in the oppression of a gender. Historically, gender roles have not always been consistent with those we have today. Though in many ancient societies men have been dominant to women, there are example where women have been considered equal to men, and where women have been dominant over men. In hunting and gathering societies, such as the ones of early humans, males and females were considered equal. Because of†¦show more content†¦Although, men and women were not fully equal, women still had many more rights in Egypt than in other civilizations. Ancient Sparta, one of the many Greek city-states, was unique in the sense that Spartan women and men shared equal rights and opportunities, where women were considered lesser in other Greek societies. While Sparta might be seen as a male dominant society, due to its war-like, violent nature, women were not considered inferior by the men. At birth, both male and female babies were bathed in wine to test their strength. Those who failed this test were abandoned. Boys were enrolled in military school at the age of seven, and female children were given education at this time. The Spartans were the only Greeks who included the education of women as a state policy. Women did not learn domestic tasks during this education. They were given physical training and taught gymnastics, javelin, foot races and staged battles. While men were away at battle, women were often the ones defending the city from invaders. Spartan women were not required to stay at home all day like other Greek women. Th e women also possessed economic power, controlling property and the family wealth. Women often voiced their opinions, while the men listened to their wives as well. Although these freedoms wereShow MoreRelatedGender, Masculinity, And Gender Roles1380 Words   |  6 Pagesenvironment, but is instead, viewed from the perspective of women themselves. They are not observed from outside in, but from the inside out. At the same time, Danzon reverses and thus subverts the classic representations of gender, while relocating and challenging gender roles. Unlike the common representation of women in former Mexican cinema, femininity is not defined as being an opposition to masculinity in the film. In fact, men almost rarely appear. When they do appear, they appear as constructedRead MoreThe Role Of Socialization And Gender Roles852 Words   |  4 PagesINTRODUCTIOn tell me what you are focussing on†¦..family and theirgender roles Socialisation is the process by which a child learns to respect his or her environmental laws such as norms, values and customs. Socialisation helps the infant gradually become self-aware and a knowledgeable person, skilled in the ways of the culture into which he or she is born. Children within the primary socialisation of the family learn a great deal from parents and other care givers such as grandparents, grandmothersRead MoreGender Roles And Gender Role844 Words   |  4 PagesGender Roles can be defined as roles society expects people to play on account of their sex life. Like all roles, gender roles are made up of sets of expectations, so they can be thought of as sets of expirations, so they can be thought of as sets of expectation that are attached to sex.(pp: 220 John E. Farley Michael W. Flota). The key word gender role affects me personally because as recent graduate of high school it’s time for me to go into the real world, of working class gender role of theRead MoreGender Roles And Gender Role Essay784 Words   |  4 Pagessession, I will discuss the gender roles in my family. The definition of gender role is the degree to which a person adopts the gender-specific behaviors ascribed by his or her culture (Matsumoto, D. R., Juang 2013, 156). For example, traditional gender roles recommend that males are aggressive, angry, and unemotional. It goes further and explains that the male should leave the home every day to make a living and be the main wage earner. The traditional gender role for the female purpose is toRead MoreGender Roles And Gender Role Essay1385 Words   |  6 PagesOF SUBMISSION Gender roles Introduction Gender is set of characteristics that may be used to differentiate between female and male through the use of one’s gender or through gender identity therefore. Gender role can be considered as the hypothetical construct in humanities and in many social sciences referring to a set of behavioral and social norms which in a particular culture may be largely regarded to be socially appropriate for individuals of a particular sex, gender roles vary from variousRead MoreThe Shift Of Gender Roles940 Words   |  4 PagesThe Shift of Gender Roles Gender roles are a major component of many wonderful pieces of literature and differ as time passes. The amazing part about reading novels set in different time periods is that as readers we can see the progression of these gender roles throughout time. Willa Cather s novel One of Ours displays both traditional and non-traditional gender roles. These gender roles are displayed through the main characters Claude and Enid, and minor characters such as Leonard Dawson andRead MoreThe Influence Of Gender Roles1404 Words   |  6 Pages The Influence of Gender Role Stereotyping Shawn Berkley Santa Fe College Abstract Study on gender role stereotypes has shown that there are several negative effects of stereotyping. The study on how gender role stereotyping effects children is not as prevalent because most believe that it doesn’t matter, since children are just forming their stereotype so children do not care. However, some psychologists have done some research on it, and from their researchRead MoreGender Roles in Society1047 Words   |  4 PagesBroadly conceptualized, gender roles are what our society expects and values in their community. They shape our behavior and values, thoughts and feelings, even going so far as to denote a person’s worth. Gender roles are present in everyday situations. In the past they strictly dictated the behavior of people in the community (the right to vote, occupations women were allowed to work in), though in the recent past have become more subtle and more successfully challenged. In some instances they areRead MoreThe Gender Roles Of A Woman975 Wo rds   |  4 Pagesshe is immediately outcasted and seen as a problem instead of embraced. Anowa, who is the young lady protagonist in Ama Ata Aidoo’s short story, â€Å"Anowa†, does just that. She challenges the gender roles in many ways throughout the story in order to push back against the idea that all women should accept the role as the passive bystander to her male counterpart that society and traditions have predetermined for her, she ultimately expects more out of her life than just living her mother’s life. RegardlessRead More Gender Roles Essay864 Words   |  4 PagesGender Roles The affects of gender roles on people greatly change the way the society runs. According to the Websters dictionary the definition of gender are the behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated with one sex, and the definition of role is a character assigned or assumed. The key word in this definition is assumed; therefore, whether you are male or female, you know what role you must play in society. Traditional gender roles are beneficial

Threatening Forces Free Essays

Threatening forces are every where we look in life. Almost anything could be considered a threat in today s society. The poem by James Joyce, I hear an Army Charging Upon the Land, contains evidence of a threatening force. We will write a custom essay sample on Threatening Forces or any similar topic only for you Order Now The threatening force in this poem is punk rock kids at a punk rock show. Threatening forces are very apparent in this poem. A prime example of one is when he says Arrogant, in black armor. He is talking about kids in leather jackets. It is there way of proving they are punk and it looks threatening. Seeing people in leather jackets is scary, especially when society has trained us to think that black is a sign of. We have been trained to think that anything that stands out is scary and people in black leather jackets stick out like a sore thumb. Obviously, when James Joyce says in black armor, it is a threatening force of punk rock. Punk rock is a very firm theme of this poem that is supposed to be menacing. This is established when it says, Clanging, Clanging upon the heart as upon an anvil. This is saying how he feels that the chains that the kids wear are frightening. He feels that the sound of their chains dangling together is intimidating. When people who wear chains run the often make a loud noise and if you wear more than one, which most people do, it makes an extremely loud noise which can be demoralizing. Clearly, the sound of the chains clanging together is a threatening sound. The people who listen to punk rock music are a reoccurring theme of peril. The threatening force of punk rock is extravagant when James Joyce says; They come out of the sea and run shouting by the shore. This is talking about them after a concert and how they are rowdy. Them coming out of the sea is when they come out of the mosh pit, out of the sea of people. After this they are often rowdy with the little energy they have left over. They are talking loudly because their hearing was just blasted by the loud music. People who are in a really good mood and acting a bit rowdy are often seemed to be dangerous especially if they are yelling. Evidently, punks after a concert are considered a threatening force to society. The poem, I Hear an Army Charging Upon the Land, is about the threat that punk rock supposedly puts on our society. Society is chained to its belief that anything different is threatening. Even though most of these people are not the least bit scary. It is hard to believe that, when the leaders of society, like the police, are always blaming the problem of on these types of people. Is punk rock really a threatening force in society or just a way that we have been brain washed to fear change and difference? How to cite Threatening Forces, Essay examples

Family and Birling Essay Example For Students

Family and Birling Essay In this essay I will try to decide whether Arthur Birling is a person we should admire. To do this I need to study different points of his character and support these points with extracts from the playscipt. I will view both his admirable qualities and the sides of his character that I dont admire. I will consider the reasons behind his character and sum these up in my conclusion. On page 11 we learn that Birling has a very high standing in Brumley. He was an alderman for several years and was Lord Mayor for a time too. It is not surprising that Birling is in line for a knighthood. These achievements are not to be sneezed, at they are very admirable in my opinion. However, I dont like the way Birling attempts to abuse his influence and friendship with those in power. There is evidence of this on page 16 in the playscript, Birling hints at the inspector that if he causes him or his family any bother then the inspector might get into trouble with his chief because Birling is associated with him. This could be evidence that Birling has cheated his way to the top because if he doesnt hesitate at attempting to threaten an officer of the law he would have no trouble attempting to corrupt others, for example his rivals. This factor of Birlings personality I dont find admirable, one should not abuse power like this, however it is ironic that by the end of the play Birlings association with the high and mighty is not enough and Birling has to offer the inspector money as a bribe. Birling appears to be well educated particularly near the start of the play when he is lecturing Gerald and Eric. He has many fair opinions on life and although inaccurate, his predictions are well founded. We can assume that Birlings knowledge is what got him to where he is in life at the moment, as a successful business man and a pillar of the community. There is evidence that he had worked his way to the top on page 10 when he says A man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own. If my assumption is correct then I find this aspect of Birlings life very admirable, it shows that he is a very hard-working man. However, in the script there are some instances where he has contradicted himself and his inaccurate predictions might be a sign that he is not as intelligent as he would like people to think. For example, when Birling says a man has to mind his own business and look after himself and his own. He then contradicts this after the inspector has left on page 64 by telling Eric off for standing as if youd nothing to do with the rest of us. Overall though I think that he is well educated and I also admire the way that Birling tries to pass on his knowledge to Gerald and Eric by lecturing them. It is good to share what you have learned. Birling has risen one daughter called Sheila and one younger son called Eric and he is married to Sybil. He treats Sybil with a lot of respect but then Sybil comes from a high class family and Birling has a weakness in this area but I shall discuss this later. Birlings treatment of his children is the opposite. He disregards their comments and opinions on several occasions throughout the play and is constantly talking down to them. This kind of treatment might be acceptable if his children were young but his children are in their twenties, theyre young adults! We have to consider that the social belief at the time was slanted towards the belief that young adults were still children and therefore inferior but this still does not excuse Birling.