As human beings, there are some aspects in our thought that we can’t account for why we particularly think that way. Sometimes, we discover we have some preconceived ideas about a group of people, an issue or about a thing, not knowing what informs our perspective of the issue we are thinking of. When this happens, then we have a stereotype about the idea in question.
Stereotypes can be said to be fixed ideas about a thing, concept, or a group of people as a result of an oversimplification of certain studies about the concept, thing or group of people. Generally speaking, stereotypes have been in human thought as far back as society has existed and could be both negative and positive as it comes as a result of biases that fill the minds of people. Thus, we can say that all stereotypes are fallacies because they draw a conclusion from the number of evidence which they have observed. An example of stereotypes is the claim that Black people are better in sports than white people.
Indeed, the society has made a definition of the roles that men and women should fill. Today, it is not absurd to note that some attributes are expected to be peculiar to women and men in the society. It is believed that each sex should be appreciated by the restrictions of the various boundaries that the society has placed on them. Therefore, when some things are done by women or men in the society, people say that these actions expected because the fact that it is accepted of the sex to behave in that manner. One of the ways by which the society displays their stereotype on both sexes is by ascribing some gender roles to men and women in the society.
In our society today, one of the prevalent stereotypes that are being held by people generally is the fact that women should be tender and soft while men should be hard. The question that this essay seeks to answer is why people hold this position? In this essay, attempt will also be made in ascertaining whether the basis of their claim is really sound.
As I perceive, the first reason why people hold this position is because of the psychological makeup of both sex. The truth is that men are wired in such a way that they rely more on facts rather that sentiments and emotions. This is probably what accounts for the way they think and behave generally. On the other hand, because of their psychological makeup, women tend to be more emotional and this makes them tenderer and less hard than men.
Oftentimes, there is a unique distinction between how these two sexes think. Psychological findings have proved that due to the brain formation of men, they tend to think in the factual way and tend to have an analytic approach to issues. On the other hand, the composition of the brain of a woman makes her thinking to be directed towards a rather softer and sentimental/emotional way and this is how they view life.
Overtime, I believe that the gender roles that have been ascribed to the woman and the man can also be the responsible for this claim. Naturally, because of the physiological makeup of men, the society tends to believe that man should be responsible for the duties that require strength while women, who look more fragile, should handle tasks that demand lesser strength. Apart from this, man is entrusted with leadership over women therefore although men have emotions; they tend not to want to show it as they see it as a sign of weakness.
At this point, the question is given the gender roles that have been attributed to both men and women, should men be taught in way by which women are taught in the society? Would this make them better? Personally, I am of the opinion that this would be a welcomed idea because men have caved under the burden of responsibility that the society has placed on him but still does not recognize some aspects that are in him. He wants to show that he is stronger and that he is in charge and that he has everything under control. As much as I appreciate the fact that men are standing up to their responsibilities, I believe he should be taught in a way where he will appreciate the emotional side of him rather than seeking to ignore it. This, for me, is the balanced life.
Reference:
- Media Awareness Network, “What is a Stereotype?”
- Media Awareness Network, “Exposing Gender Stereotypes”
- Hurst, E. “Social Inequality: Forms, Causes, and Consequences”(2007) Boston: Pearson Education, Inc