Will Foster
What are gender
roles? Before this class, I would have simply brushed them off as an
insignificant part of society that people overreact about. However, this class
has opened my eyes to a whole new view on gender roles. Not to rush my point,
but these assigned “roles” are simply ignorant.
In one of our first classes, Professor Moore
drew two boxes. One for male, and one for female. We, as a class, filled the
boxes with common ides of what females and males were “supposed” to do in our
society. The harshness of these roles were truly brought to light with this
exercise.[1]
Our
current views on gender roles have evolved from the days of old. Of all of our
history as Americans, what strikes me the most is the societies that were
matriarchies (Societies led by women). See, today we have this idea that men
are to be “macho, strong, and tough” and nothing else. In today’s society, the
thought of a woman (or women) running the society would be seen as extremely unusual
(The Presidency anyone?)[2]
It
really is hard for me to wrap my head around how we can expect every guy to be
muscular, tall, and emotionless? How can we expect every girl to be skinny,
with curves, but only on her behind and breasts? Every single person on this
planet is different in some way. There is no way that every male or female will
act the exact same way as every other male or female. For as “advanced” as we
are this way or thinking is archaic.
Our country is all about freedom
and being able to do what you want. However, you can only It’s like when a guy
says he wants to do something other than play football, he is “so gay.” Men and
women in today’s society are sadly being held back by the gender roles that we
have put in action. God forbid a girl want to play football, or do something
other than cheerlead. She must be the “manliest person ever.” It just does not
make sense.
We are expected to fit an image of
masculinity or femininity that is impossible to reach. Why do we have these
standards, when no real person fits either of them. I think that we need to let
people be people. Why let gender roles hold people back from greatness?
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