Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Sabrina Hunter
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to identify the origin of gender roles and varying biological and
social contributors, with emphasis on western womens developed public persona under a
patriarchal dominated state. The cultural and historical contingency of gender roles is highlighted
through the comparison of western traditions to states ruled by sub-variations of Islamic and
Christian culture. The aspects are explored through the research of highly respected educators
such as Susan Crea, Amy Blackstone, Syed Ejaz, Peggy Sanday, and other professionals in the
field of women social studies. By identifying both the practical and conceptual issues associated
with the assumption of generic inferiority of over half of the human population, this would allow
civil progression to united prosperity and mutual respect towards all persons.
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Issues shadowing the controversial topic of gender roles have sprouted from traditional
advancement of the human species lead to the cultivation of cultural variation, and in turn lead to
the unconscious degradation of over half of the human population. This unconscious degradation
has established social norms on the basis of socioeconomic duties. Industrialization has brought
human civilization far from our originating primitive animalistic tendencies, but nonetheless we
remain biologically constructed organisms manipulating the art of survival and reproduction vital
to the order of the animal kingdom. The human species recognized the highly beneficially act of
dividing resourceful tasks, such as scavenging and hunting, from the weight of child bearing in
order to accommodate for biological heterogeneity. Key distinctions in our physiques are
designed to suit each sex for the role it plays in reproduction; while others exist to help tell each
other apart and to aid in our mutual attraction(Wolchover 2011). Women are characteristically
known for having wider hips and an extra layer of fat distributed under their epidermal layer as
they allow the body to morph itself to provide nutrients for a developing fetus. A womens
prominent breast also indicate fertility and ability to properly nourish a developing child. Men on
the other hand benefit from being as lithe and strong as possible to aid in search for resources or
dominance over male competition. Males also exhibit a distinctive Adams-apple, felt on the
superior mid-portion of the throat area, giving them the signature deep voice while indicating
testosterone level, sexual fitness, and genetic quality. Testosterone levels in males can also be
exhibited through facial features such as jawline, cheekbones, and strong brows while also aiding
in overall muscular strength. Women produce higher levels of estrogen rather than testosterone
which can be exhibited through facial features such as fuller lips, higher brows, and a wider face.
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Women typically find masculine features to be more attractive when in search for a sex partner
but prefer less-testosteronic effeminate features when in search for a long term partnership as it
indicates an increased likelihood for a loyal, caring father to their offspring. A less notable
distinction within todays diverse society is skin pigmentation. Typically males are darker in skin
outdoor scavenging exposing them to harmful UV light rays. Also, a females typically lighter
feature of hair, skin and eyes correlate to the amount of exposed estrogen during the time in
womb. Social constructs of preferred sexual dimorphistic characteristics are often a reflection of
varying ideology of represented health and stamina depending on geographical and cultural
region.
To fully understand the conceptual place of gender roles within our society it is vital to
understand the correlation between social constructism and its relation to cultural judgment. A
social construct is created when particular values, traits, or statuses is appointed to individuals by
other individuals, groups, or societies based on sex; ascriptions remain sociologically and
terminology; The term gender roles requires an understanding of the term gendertgender as
a social term that is often confused with the term sex (Blackstone 2003). Social scientist Ann
Oakley became the first scientist to distinguish the two concepts. Sex is biological and is
meanings, and characteristics society has ascribed to male and female. According to Oakley,
gender parallels the biological distinction of sex, but involves the division and social valuation of
masculinity and femininity. This would conclude that gender is a socially created concept
developed through individual and environmental interactions yet heavily relied upon biological
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differences between males and females. Gender roles are socially constructed attributes or duties
expected to be occupied by each differing sex. For example, women are expected to be nurturing,
patient, submissive, and able to carry out domestic responsibilities; while men are expected to be
hardworking, self-confident, tough, and able to carry out leadership positions. Gender roles are
not only exhibited through characteristic traits and abilities but also through occupation, salary,
and quality workmanship expectations. In a general sense, these expectations of both male and
female held within society are considered gender stereotypes, which are exaggerated or over
Though men and women have a natural affinity toward their corresponding gender role based on
biological sex, categorized to be cisgender, there are increasingly common cases of transgenders
who do not identify with culturally conventional gender roles; having changed their gender
identity, or affiliating with elements of both, or other gender identity (Boundless 2016). The
notion of true gender has become a heavily debated topic in American society as culture has been
contributions, gender remains heavily relied upon developmental and environmental influence.
From the instance a baby is born the doctor announces if the child is a boy or a girl, this
evidence alone is enough to demonstrate how salient gender is and the ways in which it acts as a
determinant toward aspects of life (Greco 2013). The child is welcomed into the world
showered with gender specified gifts, such as clothes and toys, represented through the
stereotyped discourse of colors; pink being traditionally known for girls, blue for boys, and
yellow or white for gender neutrality. This introduces the concept of gender to the new born with
the, often unconscious, hopes of conformation into one of the two differing gender identities.
The strongest influence on gender role development seems to occur within the family setting,
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with parental influence passing on, both overtly and covertly, their own beliefs about gender
(Witt 1997). The passing on of gender morality from parent to offspring would indicate the
influential power of rules and rituals from previous generations to have a direct impact on
modern day customs. Parents often tailor or alter their behavior accordingly to care for the child
as it is commonly seen for women to take a great extension of time off work to care for her child.
It is also common for parents to uniformly align the childs toys to their corresponding gendered
sex that enhance the notions of masculinity or feminity. In most stores within the United States
there is a distinct division between the boy and girl toy section, each being dramatically
highlighted in the colors pink or blue. The shelves in the girls section showcase a varying degree
of baby dolls, dolls, plastic accessories, and princess memorabilia to provoke and reinforce
attraction. There is a dramatic distinction from the girl section to the boys as companies try to
appeal to a different social ideology. Boy toys often include cars, swords for battle, plastic and
foam guns, or virtual games challenging the gamer to become a sought out hero through
strategic levels. Later, and commonly overlapped, gender stereotype conformation is sought
schooling. Parents often seek to involve their children in sports for development of physical
coordination and social skills, with their sport of choice often corresponding to gender
stereotypes; for example, cheerleading and dance as being strictly for girls and baseball or
football being strictly for boys, though society is slowly breaking down gender specified sports
allowing for gender neutrality. Gender segregation is highlighted through early schooling in the
separation of different tasks or skills to often reinforce gender stereotypes; this can be seen
The division of gender roles and gender stereotypes continue to be reinforced onto later
adulthood through influences of media and social involvement. Sports and music in particular
popularly culturalized rap music can be associated with aggressiveness, toughness, baggy street
style, over sexualization of the female anatomy, and male competition demonstrated through
wealth and prized possessions. Sports on the other hand have been a tradition for the human
species in showcasing male competition against those found to be the bravest, the strongest, and
the fastest, with athletes becoming a modern-day males worshipped persona. The multi-million
dollar sports industry has not only highly influenced the idolized identity of male ideology but
has actually come to violate stereotyped masculine views. This is demonstrated through the
acceptance of a player to cry after a great accomplishment or showing of affection toward their
teammate when circumstances beyond the sports arena would label these public displays of
emotion and affection as soft, gay, or other tantalizing words related to feminity or
girl and latently demonstrates the subordination of Women. These conceptualizations of feminity
have been present in past media forms such as comics, and still reside in contemporary media in
the form of magazines(Greco 2013). In a popular superhero comic strip series known as
Batman, Kathy asks Batman and robin to wait for her as she puts on her costume. Batman
responds A wifes place is in the home; this makes humor of a women even attempting to fight
a battle and her confinements to a domestic lifestyle. The comics use of wife terminology also
initiates her character of tending to the needs of her husband. Modern-day teen magazines use of
feminity. Articles prominently found in these magazines are often titled something strikingly
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similar to How to make your lips bigger, How to Kiss, or Dieting Strategies; all of which
intended to appeal to the socially constructed insecurities of females based upon a patriarchal
traditionally being expected to serve as the protectress of religion and civilized society(Cruea
2005) during the 1800s. Young girls were often taught the importance of self-control and
obedience with modesty and virginity to be held as prized possessions. They were taught
motherhood was vital to a womens lifetime duty and stressed the importance of shaping the
moral values of their sons who were believed to have a direct impact on the nations success.
Womens education was strictly limited to basic concepts and religious instruction only for the
purpose of teaching her children, with intellectual pursuits strongly discouraged within the
strongly patriarchal dominant society. Women during this time period were also depicted as
being weak, delicate, and prone to fainting or illness; therefor, it became increasingly important
for women to not exert themselves too much emotionally or physically in fear of their health.
Part of this physical deficiency was real due to restricting and unproductivity of attire. During
this time heavier women were also praised within society as it represented their spouses wealth
transportation and the civil war led to a mass workforce vacancy with necessity forcing women
to forsake True Womanhood in order to fill mens positions(Cruea 2005). During this time
period it became increasingly common for women to abandon their strictly domestic lifestyle to
adopt occupations such as office workers, teachers, store clerks, and government workers. Some
woman even took on the role of managing large plantations populated with hundreds of slaves as
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their husbands were sent off to war or killed in combat. Women made great strides in earning the
nations respect as they became vital for the recovery and healthcare of wounded soldiers with
over three-thousand nurses and volunteers. Hundreds of thousands of casualties from both sides
of the Civil war left a great window for women to seize their opportunity to become more
involved in the workforce and public lifestyle as tens-of thousands were left widowed in dire
need of in income. In response to these factors, another, more open, completely autonomous
and indigenous American ideal came to exist for women to emulate(Cruea 2005); this became
and encouraged activity and healthy exercise. Social encouragement of casual walks and
and skating began to emerge. Not only were these activities encouraged but they were praised for
their stimulation of health and attractive red coloring of the cheeks. This represented a striking
contrastment in comparison to True Womanhood ideals where women were socially expected to
remain docile and torpid. Restricting clothing such as corsets and heavy skirts were abandoned
for more sensible, practical clothing allowing for a greater range in movement and comfort.
While True Womanhood strictly limited womans education to basic concepts and religious
instruction for the purpose of teaching her children, Real womanhood advocated the overturning
of educational ideals. A woman with an education was more likely to be a suitable partner for
an educated husband and better able to participate in conversations on a more equal level of
deemed more respect when needing to provide financial aid for her family. Real Womanhood
offered young woman the importance of gaining insight into the moral character of a prospective
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mate to avoid an abusive alcoholic with discouraging money habits. During this time period the
valued degree of hardworking and compassionate morals began to surpass physical attraction and
wealth and woman were able to avoid legal partnership to a man of unsuitable characteristics for
the reason of financial support. Greater socioeconomic progressions for Woman called for the
respecting, and fair occupations. Woman were also granted the right to vote and hold public
office. Controversy surrounded these progressions as it was previously assumed that a woman
outside the confinements of her home without a male escort was immediately suspected to be
The New Woman emerged, as the daughters who had watched their mothers struggle for
public access came into adulthood. While their mothers had been satisfied with gaining a
minimal amount of public figure and some independence and control over their lives, their
daughters were not willing to settle for these (Cruea 2005). The New Woman focused their
Woman began to urge the justification of natural rights and equal opportunity for both sexes in
aspects of civil rights, profession, education, income, and behavioral expectations. New
philosophy surrounding the cultural acceptances around woman emerged during a time of great
social change, when notions about sexuality and gender had become complicated through
equality in all forms. A womans primary concerns shifted from the stability of her family
relations to the demands of attending higher educational facilities of integrated sexes. Often
facing public resentment woman cultivated a sisterhood that became a safe heaven and support
net to withstand the obstacles faced toward a society of mutual acceptance. Because the New
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Woman believed sexual behavior and identity should not be linked to individual respectability or
reputation, they rejected the holy customs of repressed sexual desires and prized innocence. The
rejection of True Womanhood in favor of new ideals like Real Womanhood and Public
regarding gender, and shifted them further away from the patriarchal control that inhibited them
(Cruea 2005). Today society has adopted a majority of ideals stemming from the New Womans
cultural identification as perspectives regarding the hierarchy of sex and expected behavior vary
upon individual social awareness of both foreign and domestic issues, as well as kin interaction.
Womans highly gained respect through challenging of social ideals has proven to
create a dramatic shift in power dynamics shared between the sexes. Hanna Rosins newfound
data on the rise of women demonstrates women surpassing men in both educational and
occupational settings. Recent statistical research has shown that for every two men, three women
will receive a college degree, not only that, but women are also expected to be receiving these
degrees at a faster rate than the opposing sex. Womans progression in the workforce is
demonstrated through the calculations of the majority of the 2010 workforce where women again
showed a newfound dominance. This newfound dominance can be found to have an association
with the expected thirteen of the fifth-teen expected occupations demonstrating the greatest
growth within the next decade to be led by women. Statistical relations also hypothesize that a
majority of new future home owners will be single women in their late twenties paradoxal to the
previously dominated early thirties aged male. Hanna Rosins research extends beyond the
India, South Korea, and China are also making steady sociological advances(Rosin 2010). It
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was found that these patriarchal states have decreased intensity for specific son preference to
under 20% in 2003, significantly less than the previous results of over 50% calculated in 1985. In
India women have been shown to surpass their male counterparts efforts to learn English at a
faster pace to accommodate staff positions in developing call centers. Patterns in Chinas private
enturprenership also exhibit the increasing commonality of female business ownership with the
rate of developmental success also surpassing their male counterparts. Fairly recent progressive
industrialization of South Korea also pushed a great number of women into the public workforce.
Though not seemly great strides made in comparison to a progressively humanitarian state, such
as the United States, the steady advancements against strict inferiority of the female population
variation have created a looked down upon stigma of their treatment of woman, many blaming
Islamic religious practices. The fault of generations of religious deportment can be blamed upon
the unintegrity of numeral Islamic scholars, such as Abul Ala Maududi, who sought to establish
subordination within Islamic culture. Abul Ala Maududis writings were notoriously successful
mentality of the society (Ejaz 2011) as he borrowed Hinduistic ideas that were non-islamic.
Traditional Hinduistic literature presumes womens ideal role as child caretaker and slave to her
husband. The Brahma perceives women as an obstacle to the path of devotion, a hindrance to
emancipation, and a representation of vile desire(16.52-60); While the Devl Bhagvata describes
women as falsehood vain boldness, craftiness, stupidity, impatience, over greediness, impurity,
and harshness as natural qualities of woman (1.5.83); Not to mention the Mahabharata claiming
woman as always dependent and their inability for wealth for whatever they possess belongs to
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their master(2.71.2). False proclaiming Islamic scholars have sought the establishment of
subordination by ignoring religious scripture proclaiming their natural equality right to man.
True Islam promotes equalism between the two sexes, discouraging misogyny. True Islam praises
womans source of comfort, solace, consolation, and relief to hearts. True Islam does not refer to
the inferiority and slave treatment of the opposite sex and allows the opportunity for woman to
claim their individual independence. True Islam does not depict a womans exclusion of shared
inheritance or independent financial stability. The disortment of religious practices have given
justification to the abuse and mistreatment of woman who are often placed in a position of little
to no defendant.
Though Islamic culture lives in the light of greater infamization, the origin of most
misogynistic ideals lies within the history of Christianity. A founding belief of Christianity holds
women responsible for the fall of Adams heavenly state of bliss, to then be blamed for the evil
that resides within the universe. During the times of Christianitys peaked dominance, girls were
looked at as unprofitable due to their socially constructed customs of patriarchal lineage rule.
Therefore, they sought little purpose in raising girls due to their inability to carry on their family
name, commonly resulting in infacide. It was also common for a man to beat his wife, killing in
Karo Kari, honor killings due to a family members demonstration of dishonor, or even trading
of woman to equalize tribes. Abuse toward the female sex was in the form of strangling,
drowning, or exposure and sending to wet-nurses. Teachers of Religious scripture were known to
back bloody beatings as necessary to punish endless sins (Ejaz 2011). In modern times, abuse of
woman remains prevalent in all geographical regions, in all religions, as they do not make
women exempt from mistreatment, keeping in mind that a majority of abusive cases remain
locked behind closed doors. Womens deprivation of education and knowledge of literacy in
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strictly patriarchal dominated countries, such as Pakistan, men are able to keep a strong grip over
society; providing proof of the importance of equal educational opportunity for sex equalization.
inaccurate as there are countless cultures and customs, some not yet known to man, that remain
patriarchally dominated that have adopted ideals known to matriarchy, or even claim matriarchy
as their sole system of governance. Patriarchy defined as a social organization marked by the
supremacy of the father in the clan or family and the legal dependence of wives and
the terms matriarchy and patriarchy. Matriarchy is not a system of governance exclusive to
female roles within society but rather a balances social system in which both sexes play key
roles founded on maternal social principles (Sanday 2008). Maternal social principles are
reflections of maternal social philosophies such as the nurturing nature toward the old, young,
poor, and sick and seekment of peace. Matriarchy does not reflect female superiority but female
responsibilies diffused among a partnership to uphold social rules and practices(Sanday 2008).
and the Mosuo. In the Chinese tribe of Mosuo, lineage heritage is passed down through women
and children remain resided in the same household as their mother even after partnership and
children of their own. The father of the children is expected to continually reside under the
household of his own mother and there is no formal marriage labialization. By having no formal
marriage this eliminates the possibility for shared property, finances, or shared custody; thereof
no disputes in Mosuo tradition (Youtube 2007). In all societies both male and female are upheld
disputes concern the degree to which the sharing is balanced, symmetric, and productive.
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Conclusion
The human species, evolved from primitive culture, share the universal characteristic of
reproduction vital to the delicacy of the animal kingdom. Men and Women have known their
place within the social constructs of society since the first unrecorded accounts of reproduction.
The separation of resourceful tasks such as scavenging and hunting from the weight of child
bearing have made the human species highly successful in population growth; leading to the
advancement of civilization. In turn, leading humans to expand into unknown lands and setting
the fundamental root of a culturally and historic contingency of gender roles. Gender roles have
been woven throughout American history to portray a strong successful male provider and a
submissive family-oriented female whose duties remain restricted beyond the domestic. Only
until fairly recently in American history have women made great progression to eliminate strict
interpretation of gender role constructs, with credit being given to a greater developed country.
Regardless of womens steady progression past the glass-ceiling in both educational and
occupational settings, over half of the human species is still labeled inferior to the opposing sex.
which the individual has become accustomed too, as well as level of awareness to domestic and
foreign social matters. The unconscientious degradation of the female population provide a
hindrance to not only valuable sociological contributions, but progression toward further united
References
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Blackstone, A. M. (2003). Gender roles and society (J. R. Miller, R. M. Lerner, & L. B.
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In Blackstones research report, Gender roles and Society, she analyzes the
misconceptions between the terminology of sex and gender while finding the social
associations linked between the two. She supports her analysis through the use of an
concepts of sex and gender and the socially constructed influences impacting societys
A chinese tribe that empowers women [Video file]. (2007). Retrieved from
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constructed ideal woman persona. Cruea illustrates a womans place within society
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starting from the early 1800s, a time where women were restricted to a life within the
domestic, to the present times of newfound individual freedom. Her purpose is to inform
her audience of changing cultural ideals and womens progression within social
hierarchy. Crueas tone remains informative and empowering toward her audience of
Ejaz, S. S., Dr. (2011). Journal or Social Sciences and Humanities: Gender discrimination and
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Pakistan, he discusses religious practices adopted into sub-variations of Islam that have
given men unreasonable justification for the mistreatment of women in Islamic states.
Ejaz supports his claim by providing examples from Hindu scripture and Christian ideals.
His purpose is to give justification to the religion of true Islam and bring social awareness
highly educated, informative tone to his readers reaching across various cultures.
https://www.boundless.com/sociology/textbooks/boundless-sociology-textbook/gender-
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the gender formality of gender and gender roles. Greco supports her analysis through the
demonstration of highlighted boy and girl distinctions exhibited through colors, toys,
sports, music, and media. Her purpose is to call attention to the unconscious social
structure devoted to gender conformity and stereotypes associated with gender. Greco
speaks in a concerning yet unbiased tone to her audience that lives in the affects of years
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power dynamics between men and women. Rosin supports her claim by providing
statistical research on the basis of women surpassing men in both educational and
occupational arenas. He purpose is to inform her audience of shifting cultural values that
educated tone for her listening audience to adopt her sense of credibility.
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reeves-sanday/
evolution of the meaning behind matriarchy with the modern definition of exhibiting
motherly characteristics rather than a government ruled under the female. Her purpose is
to inform her readers of matriarchal values that may have become distorted from
common misconceptions. Sanday uses an informative, straight forward tone toward her
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In Wolchovers article, Men vs. women: Our key physical differences explained,
she analyzes the key physiological distinctions between men and women. She focuses her
distinctions in physiques by the roles they play in reproduction, sex distinction, and
between the sexes for her audience to understand the reasoning behind sex differentiation.
She uses a very straight forward tone with her audience that appeals to the general
population.
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