Chapter 6 - Gender Roles

 Gender Roles

Gender is assigned to products, clothes, careers, colors, actions, and even language. These gender roles limit individuals on what they can wear, buy, act, and how they speak. Gender roles are defined in Reflect and Relate as "shared societal expectations for conduct and behaviors that are deemed appropriate for girls or women and boys or men" (Ch.6 pg.156).

I remember when I stopped shaving my underarms. I was in the kitchen, and I had raised my arm to grab a cup from the shelf. My mother saw that I hadn't shaved my underarms and told me it was disgusting and that women are supposed to shave. I was taken back by this, and I didn't understand why it was a big deal that I didn't shave and not one when my brother didn't. We are both people, and we both grow hair. 

There are so many gender stereotypes that society makes us fit into, and it can really impact individuals mind set when growing up and their mental health. We continue to break these expectations, such as Harry Styles wearing a dress in a photoshoot with vouge, and it creates positive influences on individuals to be themselves and not be captive to gender roles. We have come a long way but there is still major room for improvement.