Gender Stereotypes and Their Effect on Young People
By: Maryam Riaz
Gender
Gender refers to the socially
constructed characteristics of women and men, such as norms, roles, and
relationships of and between groups of women and men. It varies from society to
society and can be changed.
Purely assigned by genetics, as sex differences
generally are, people often develop their gender roles in response to their
environment, including family Gender tends to denote the social and cultural
role of each sex within a given society. Rather than being interactions, the
media, peers, and education.
Stereotypes
A stereotype is an over-generalized belief about a particular
category of people. It is an expectation that people might have about every
person of a particular group. The type of expectation can vary; it can be, for
example, an expectation about the group's personality, preferences, or ability
Gender
Stereotype
Gender stereotyping can limit the
development of the natural talents and abilities of girls and boys, women and
men, as well as their educational and professional experiences and life
opportunities in general. Stereotypes about women both result from, and are the
cause of, deeply engrained attitudes, values, norms and prejudices against
women. They are used to justify and maintain the historical relations of power
of men over women as well as sexist attitudes that hold back the advancement of
women,
• Types of gender stereotype
1.
Female stereotype
The stereotype begins since a baby If baby was girl their tendency are
more to girlish thing like wearing pink clothes, toys like a Barbie doll.
• Parents are the most contributive factor for this stereotyping.
Some example of stereotype about woman.
• Women are not as strong as men.
• Women are supposed to have “clean jobs” such as secretaries, teachers,
and librarians.
• Women are nurses, not doctors.
• Women are saying more gentle and kind heart person.
2.
Male Stereotype
From the beginning, since they were small boys are taught to be tough,
to be protective, and to defend themselves.
• Their outfits usually in blue colors which symbolic to a men. Their toys
were like trucks, cars, robots, a tough games.
• Mostly boys were aggressive in their playing than girls.
Some examples of stereotypes are
• Men do not do housework and they are not responsible for taking care of
their children.
• Men do not cook, sew, or do crafts.
How do gender stereotypes affect people?
A
stereotype is a widely accepted judgment or bias about a person or group even
though it’s overly simplified and not always accurate. Stereotypes about gender
can cause unequal and unfair treatment because of a person’s gender. This is
called sexism. There are four basic kinds of gender stereotypes:
• Personality traits — For example, women are often expected
to be accommodating and emotional, while men are usually expected to be
self-confident and aggressive.
• Domestic behaviors — For example, some people expect that
women will take care of the children, cook, and clean the home, while men take
care of finances, work on the car, and do the home repairs. Occupations — some
people are quick to assume that teachers and nurses are women, and that pilots,
doctors, and engineers are men.
• Physical appearance — For example, women are expected to
be thin and graceful, while men are expected to be tall and muscular. Men and
women are also expected to dress and groom in ways that are stereotypical to
their gender (men wearing pants and short hairstyles, women wearing dresses and
make-up.
How can I fight gender stereotypes?
You probably see gender stereotypes all around you. You
might also have seen or experienced sexism, or discrimination based on gender.
There are ways to challenge these stereotypes to help everyone — no matter
their gender or gender identity — feel equal and valued as people.
• Point it out — Magazines, TV, film, and the Internet are
full of negative gender stereotypes. Sometimes these stereotypes are hard for
people to see unless they’re pointed out. Be that person! Talk with friends and
family members about the stereotypes you see and help others understand how
sexism and gender stereotypes can be hurtful.
• Be a living example — be a role model for your friends and
family. Respect people regardless of their gender identity. Create a safe space
for people to express themselves and their true qualities regardless of what
society’s gender stereotypes and expectations are.
• Speak up — if someone is making sexist jokes and comments,
whether online or in person, challenge them.
• Give it a try — if you want to do something that’s not
normally associated with your gender, think about whether you’ll be safe doing
it. If you think you will, give it a try. People will learn from your example.
If you’ve been struggling with
gender or gender identity and expectations, you’re not alone. It may help you
to talk to a trusted parent, friend, family member, teacher, or counselor.
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