Introduction
Nowadays, the exploration of gender roles is an important focus in the social sciences, with attention to emerging shifts. Studying male and female roles in romantic relationships helps one understand power dynamics. By examining the societal factors that shape male and female roles, it is possible to identify the causes of these circumstances and work toward creating more balanced and equitable relationships. This work goes into the socio-cultural and psychological underpinnings of male domination and female submissiveness in romantic love, which uncovers the complicated connections between history, society, and media on gender roles and proposes more balanced relationships.
Historical Context and Evolution
The first theme discovered during the literature review concerns the historical context and evolution of traditional gender roles. Conventional gender stereotypes that link femaleness and feminine qualities to docility, inaction, sexual humility, and emotional closeness, and maleness and masculinity to assertiveness, aggression, sexual adventurism, and restraint of emotions shape sexual and intimate relationships (Siegel and Meunier 334). Such presumptions dictate what characteristics are deemed attractive in private or sexual partners, prescribe and proscribe how men and women should behave, and create the narratives that lead people through sexual encounters (Siegel and Meunier 334).
Gender and sexual preconceptions can have detrimental effects on men’s and women’s sexual, interpersonal, and mental well-being (Siegel and Meunier 334). For instance, narratives that endorse male dominance and female submission may normalize male sexual aggression while also reducing women’s sexual independence and fulfillment (Siegel and Meunier 334). The source successfully highlights the role of traditional perceptions of gender roles in society and their impact on humans.
Another source complements this perspective and provides additional information on the field of science and its emergence in the 20th century. In the late 1960s, during the height of the sexual revolution, scientific investigation of love began in earnest (Thorne et al. 242). There was no chapter on attraction, love, or intimate relationships in the five-volume Handbook of Social Psychology published in 1968, despite a few research investigations on the topic conducted in the 1960s (Thorne et al. 242). The most prestigious social psychology journals, textbooks, and curricula of the time did not contain the word “love” (Thorne et al. 242).
Researchers were encouraged to study love scientifically by Berscheid and Walster in their book Interpersonal Attraction. By the 1980s, they were considering the quick growth of relationship research (Thorne et al. 242). The Handbook of Social Psychology, published in 1985, featured a comprehensive section on intimate relationships in contrast to its 1968 edition (Thorne et al. 242). All things considered, the 1970s and 1980s saw the emergence of love and relationships as acceptable subjects of scientific inquiry, particularly in social psychology. Nevertheless, while focusing on love, the source does not give a clear account of the history of male domination and female submissiveness in romantic love.
Societal Norms and Media Influence
Moving on, the second theme worth considering is societal norms and media influence. The media is one of many sources that shape how women are portrayed. Its importance can be evaluated in relation to a wide range of phenomena (Santoniccolo et al. 1). Due to its widespread use, prolonged exposure to it, and influence on people’s attitudes, beliefs, and standards, the media has drawn the interest of scientists (Santoniccolo et al. 1).
Indeed, several theories have made an effort to investigate the psychological mechanisms and processes—such as the formation of identities, scripts and structures, cultivation processes, and integration processes—in which media plays a part (Santoniccolo et al. 1). Numerous examinations of television shows have also demonstrated how frequently gender stereotypes are reflected in the way that men and women are portrayed. Girls were frequently portrayed as more self-conscious about how they looked and as subject to criticism (Santoniccolo et al. 4). Therefore, the article effectively captures the preconceived notion of femininity in the media.
Another source, Seluman and colleagues, agrees with the media’s influence and argues that reiterating cultural norms and shaping societal perceptions are major outcomes of the media landscape. The authors add that preconceptions and traditional gender roles are frequently reinforced by how gender is portrayed in the media, which may significantly impact societal views, gender parity, and women’s autonomy (Seluman et al. 743). One common media stereotype is the idea that women are subservient and primarily concerned with taking care of the home (Seluman et al. 743).
The notion that women’s fundamental principles are found within the walls of their homes is reinforced by the frequent casting of female characters in films as housewives, mothers, or family members (Seluman et al. 743). On the other hand, men are typically portrayed in the media as being strong, independent, and providers of income (Seluman et al. 743). They are typically portrayed as powerful figures, whether as prosperous businesspeople, elected officials, or action heroes in motion pictures (Seluman et al. 743). Through such an elaboration, the source contributed to the body of literature on male dominance and the female subservient nature in relationships.
Aside from a popular perspective, a theory-based view must also be reviewed. Early feminist scholars of gender and the media in the 1970s, like Germaine Greer and Gaye Tuchman, believed that conventional images and narratives that portrayed femininity as subservient to masculinity perpetuated patriarchy by shaping women (Milestone and Anneke 152). Similarly, genres primarily read by women—such as romance novels, soap operas, and women’s magazines—are institutionally devalued as belonging to a lower social class (Milestone and Anneke 152).
Such research is predicated on the idea that both male and female audiences willfully absorb these messages, turning them into willing accomplices of the sexist media (Milestone and Anneke 152). Naturally, this is oversimplified and presumptuous; the direct-effects model assumes a homogeneous, obedient public that mindlessly absorbs media messages (Milestone and Anneke 153). Similar to the previous source, the article effectively explains the dynamics of relationships marked by male dominance and female humility.
Lastly, the media might impact not only adults but also younger generations, a noteworthy detail that must be considered in the literature review. Youth absorb the gender norms expected by their culture from people in their immediate environment, such as parents, teachers, and friends, just like they do from other belief systems (Ward and Grower 178). For several reasons, the traditional media offers especially compelling examples of gender norms (Ward and Grower 178).
Firstly, there are hundreds of models available in the media, far more than the handful of models that young people might know from their peers or families (Ward and Grower 178). Second, the media influences the principles that parents, peers, and educators adopt and spread, thereby shaping conventions both directly—through the use of individual models—and indirectly (Ward and Grower 178). Thus, the source captures the media’s role in shaping perceptions among younger generations.
Impact on Relationship Satisfaction and Dynamics
As for the impact of gender roles on relationship satisfaction and dynamics, the literature is limited, with only a few studies examining such a correlation. According to research, having a fulfilling romantic relationship has a positive impact on longevity, wellness, and happiness (Bühler et al. 1). Women are marginally less satisfied with their relationships than men, according to a meta-analysis of gender disparities in this area (Bühler et al. 8). The moderator analyses, however, showed that the inclusion of clinical samples—in which women expressed significantly lower levels of satisfaction than men—was the reason for this discrepancy (Bühler et al. 8).
Furthermore, conflicting results from long-term research were obtained regarding gender variations in relationship satisfaction trajectories (Bühler et al. 8). While some research pointed to more unfavorable paths for men, other studies found no discernible differences between the sexes in the evolution of relationship satisfaction (Bühler et al. 8). As such, it is imperative to examine gender as a moderator and investigate potential differences in the development of relationship satisfaction between men and women.
Moreover, another study by Pourshahbaz and colleagues examined how personality traits commonly attributed to women and men affect relationships. Personal feminine traits like happiness, affection, loyalty, understanding, and sensitivity to the needs of others have an impact on interpersonal relationships and, consequently, can improve marital satisfaction (Pourshahbaz et al. 5). These traits may benefit the relationships between people of different genders (Pourshahbaz et al. 5). People with androgynous gender roles may be better able to comprehend the feelings and actions of their partners if they possess traits from both genders (Pourshahbaz et al. 5).
Participants who identified as feminine and androgynous in their roles as women reported higher levels of marital satisfaction (Pourshahbaz et al. 5). The findings indicated that people who thought their partner was androgynous had a higher level of romantic happiness than people who did not perceive it that way (Pourshahbaz et al. 5). Psychiatric issues and poor family functioning were also significant indicators of low marital satisfaction (Pourshahbaz et al. 6). At the same time, it is necessary to recognize that partner preferences are influenced by social, economic, and cultural factors alongside evolutionary ones (Karandashev et al. 1). Thus, while studies focus on the roles of traits, there is a need to explore gender stereotypes and their effects on relationship dynamics further.
Emerging Trends and Shifts
Finally, the last theme concerns emerging trends and shifts in gender roles in relationships. As efforts to accomplish gender equality continue, there is a growing emphasis on the requirement to address harmful and out-of-date gendered stereotypes and norms to support individual behavior and attitude changes that will support changes in society and culture (Stewart et al. 1). The Time’s Up and #MeToo movements have brought attention to how urgent it is to address the institutionalized prejudice, patriarchy, and sexism that permeate every part of society (Prasad et al. 1579).
One of the many discourses these concurrent movements have sparked concerns about men’s contributions to the realization of gender equality (Prasad et al. 1579). In a phallogocentric society, men are bestowed with undeserved privileges associated with their gender (Prasad et al. 1579). Because of this one fact alone, men are held accountable for the institutional and discursive structures that grant them undeserved privilege at the expense of certain interpersonal costs borne by women and the feminine in general (Prasad et al. 1579). While the article by Prasad and colleagues emphasizes shifts in male roles, it does not address changes in female roles.
Another study by Cornwell and colleagues focuses on the history of changes. Trends show that, in the latter half of the 20th century, opinions about the appropriate roles for women, both inside and outside the home, became more liberal. The early 1990s saw a leveling of the rise (Cornwell et al. 11). A significant portion of this change can be ascribed to changes in entering the workforce and marital status and a significant portion to cohort replacement (Cornwell et al. 11).
However, the widespread adoption of a rights-oriented ideology that affects other domains, such as race and ethnicity, is given significant weight (Cornwell et al. 11). The mid-1990s stagnation was caused by the development and spread of a rival gender frame known as “egalitarian essentialist,” which blends a feminist emphasis on equal treatment and choice with traditional gender roles (Cornwell et al. 11). Consequently. At the same time, articles highlight the changes in the context of traditional gender roles. Still, they do not demonstrate how they affect the dynamics and fail to propose more balanced relationships.
Conclusion
In summary, the review examined the psychological and sociocultural foundations of male dominance and female submission in romantic love. It reveals the intricate relationships between gender roles in history, society, and the media and suggests more harmonious partnerships. The necessity of addressing damaging and antiquated gendered stereotypes and standards to promote individual behavior and attitude shifts that will encourage changes in society and culture is becoming increasingly important as efforts to achieve gender equality continue. This review promotes further discussion of equalizing romance and healthier relationship quality over time by integrating psychological, social, and historical data with emerging trends.
Works Cited
Karandashev, Victor, et al. “Cross-cultural Comparison of Sensory Preferences in Romantic Attraction.” Sexuality & Culture, vol. 24, 2020, 23-53.
Milestone, Katie, and Meyer Anneke. Gender and Popular Culture. Routledge, 2019.
Pourshahbaz, Abbas, et al. “Gender Role Conflict: Is It a Predictor of Marital Dissatisfaction? A Cross Sectional Study in Tehran.” Medical Journal of the Islamic Republic of Iran, vol. 34, 2020, pp. 1-7.
Prasad, Ajnesh, et al. “What Are Men’s Roles and Responsibilities in the Feminist Project for Gender Egalitarianism?” Gender, Work & Organization, vol. 28, no. 4, 2021, pp. 1579-1599.
Santoniccolo, Fabrizio et al. “Gender and Media Representations: A Review of the Literature on Gender Stereotypes, Objectification and Sexualization.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 20, no. 10, 2023.
Seluman, Ikharo, et al. “Stereotypical Portrayal of Gender in Mainstream Media and Its Effects on Societal Norms: A Theoretical Perspective.” International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation, 5, no. 1, 2024, pp. 743-749.
Siegel, Karolynn, and Étienne Meunier. “Traditional Sex and Gender Stereotypes in the Relationships of Non-Disclosing Behaviorally Bisexual Men.” Archives of Sexual Behavior, vol. 48, no. 1, 2019, pp. 333-345.
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.
Cornwell, Benjamin, Jonathan Gershuny, and Oriel Sullivan. “The Social Structure of Time: Emerging Trends and New Directions.” Annual Review of Sociology, vol. 45, 2019, pp. 301-320.
Thorne, Sapphira R., Peter Hegarty, and Erica G. Hepper. “Equality in Theory: From a Heteronormative to an Inclusive Psychology of Romantic Love.” Theory & Psychology, vol. 29, no. 2, 2019, pp. 240-257.
Ward, L. Monique, and Petal Grower. “Media and the Development of Gender Role Stereotypes.” Annual Review of Developmental Psychology, vol. 2, 2020, pp. 177-199.