Gender stereotypes and their effect on young people

 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.