Over the years, the United States and other countries around the world have faced inequality issues. They arise from different factors, such as race, gender, religion, social status, ethnicity, culture, and other characteristics. According to Keister and Southgate, these attributes often determine one’s access to resources and opportunities in life (18). Racism and unequal pay for men and women are only two examples of global social problems that continue to exist despite ongoing efforts to address them. This essay aims to discuss how gender norms and stereotypes contribute to inequality in the world.
Gender norms are principles that are imposed by society to govern the anticipated behavior of boys and girls. These expectations continue to exist throughout adolescence and adulthood, guiding people on acceptable and appropriate ways of acting. Gender norms are not set and can change over time. In a way, they refer to a set of standards that limit an individual’s identity to certain behaviors, attitudes, and activities (Keister and Southgate 18).
Such norms are linked closely to gender roles which are based on stereotypes that promote inequality. They are essentially a preconception of roles for either a man or a woman in society. For example, the woman is supposed to be motherly and good at taking care of babies and at-home chores, while the man is supposed to be aggressive and provide for his family. These roles have played a significant role in society for a long time (Keister and Southgate 25). They set expectations and standards for individuals to follow based on their gender and regardless of their actual preferences.
The inequality issue is not new, as it is based on a deep-rooted idea that men and women have specific roles and jobs that are suited and appropriate for their gender assigned at birth. These beliefs have existed throughout history, and different societies defined their own expectations for people based on their gender. In ancient cultures, there was often a division of labor based on physical strength and abilities associated with males and females. For instance, men were viewed as warriors, hunters, and providers, while women were seen as caretakers for children and housekeepers (Keister and Southgate 31). With the development of society, the inequalities in gender-based roles were supported further. Women were associated with an inferior and weaker position in society, while men were considered dominant and strong. Furthermore, typically female characteristics included being nurturing, emotional, supportive, and caring. In turn, conventionally male attributes involved being aggressive, persistent, and ambitious.
As can be seen, the perception of traditional roles has changed over time. However, those gender norms and stereotypes that are persistent in today’s society have originated from the 19th century as a result of social, economic, and cultural changes in the world (Keister and Southgate 32). They often develop unconsciously, soon after birth, as children learn from their families and society, following a set of expectations and beliefs. There are various sources that provide a foundation for people to discover gender roles, norms, and stereotypes, such as families, schools, peers, teachers, and media. As children interact with others, their behavior is rewarded or discouraged depending on whether it aligns with societal expectations from boys and girls (Keister and Southgate 31). This process can occur consciously or not, forming a set of rules and beliefs for the person. People often conform to what is considered acceptable in society, which leads to injustice and inequality.
One of the main problems with gender norms and stereotypes is that they affect various aspects of human life. For instance, it is typically believed that men should occupy leadership positions, which leaves many women overlooked. Conventionally male characteristics include being assertive, ambitious, loud, and successful, while female attributes are being collaborative, emotional, quiet, and modest. As a result, individuals’ behaviors that do not fall into the respective category are often viewed as wrong. Moreover, different categories can be disproportionally affected by the harmful effects of stereotypes and bias. A study by Roscigno has established that “women are 3 to 4 times more likely, respectively, than their male peers to experience gender discrimination and sexual harassment” in the workplace (14). In one’s personal life, gender norms and roles are also limiting as they portray men as breadwinners and career-driven individuals, and women are viewed as people whose responsibilities include raising children and keeping the house clean and cozy. Such disproportions lead to inequality in financial and career opportunities.
In this regard, the concept of intersectionality is important to mention. It refers to the phenomenon that describes how different social characteristics combine and contribute to the oppression that an individual experience (Roscigno 14). For instance, a black woman may face additional challenges in life due to both gender and racial stereotypes. Similarly, if she comes from a low-income household, her opportunities in life may be even more limited due to the combination of discrimination forms. The intersectionality perspective allows to highlight how different attributes can define one’s access to resources and role in society.
This approach identifies multiple forms of oppression that affect individuals based on their race, age, gender, ethnicity, religion, income, and other factors (Roscigno 14). Furthermore, intersectionality emphasizes that a person’s role performances are shaped by the combination of their identities and systemic oppressions such as racism, gender discrimination, and others. Overall, a comprehensive strategy is needed for society to overcome the harmful effects of inequality.
Research shows that there are various harmful effects of gender stereotypes on society and individuals. According to Stewart et al., they include such outcomes as “violence against women, gender-based violence and sexual and reproductive health, parental involvement, sexual and reproductive health rights, and health and wellbeing” (2). These effects are the result of social constructions, which refer to ideas, concepts, and processes that are regarded as natural or normal. However, they are not necessarily beneficial or supportive for people. On the contrary, social constructions tend to have a negative effect on society by distributing power and resources unequally. For instance, a binary perception of gender often excludes LGBTQ+ people from accessing quality medical help. As reported by Palmer and Clegg, the “biological definition of gender remains elusive in part because molecular and biological techniques have not been available to accurately probe the development of gender identity” (2235). In this regard, it is crucial to create an inclusive world where harmful stereotypes and social constructions do not limit people from fair treatment.
To conclude, gender norms and stereotypes significantly contribute to inequality in society. They place expectations on individuals in accordance with their gender, which prevents people from achieving their personal goals. The concept of gender roles can be further aggravated by other limitations associated with one’s age, race, ethnicity, class, and other characteristics. The intersectionality perspective emphasizes how these stereotypes have a combined harmful effect on an individual. It is essential to shift from the established beliefs and norms and recognize everyone’s right to equal and fair treatment.
Works Cited
Keister, Lisa A., and Darby E. Southgate. Inequality: A Contemporary Approach to Race, Class, and Gender. Cambridge University Press, 2022.
Palmer, Biff F., and Deborah J. Clegg. “A Universally Accepted Definition of Gender Will Positively Impact Societal Understanding, Acceptance, and Appropriateness of Health Care.” Mayo Clinic Proceedings, vol. 95, no. 10, 2020, pp. 2235-2243. Science Direct. Web.
Roscigno, Vincent J. “Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and the Impact of Workplace Power.” Socius, vol. 5, 2019, pp. 1-21. Socius. Web.
Stewart, Rebecca, et al. “Gendered Stereotypes and Norms: A Systematic Review of Interventions Designed to Shift Attitudes and Behaviour.” Heliyon, vol. 7, no. 4, 2021, pp. 1-15. Science Direct. Web.