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Gender Roles

Definition

Gender roles refer to the societal expectations and norms associated with each gender within a specific culture or time period. In other words, they are the behaviors, tasks, and responsibilities that society deems appropriate for men and women.

Analogy

Think of gender roles like parts in a school play. Each character has a specific role to play based on the script (society's expectations). Some characters might be expected to act brave and strong (traditionally masculine traits), while others might be expected to be nurturing and emotional (traditionally feminine traits).

Related terms

Patriarchy: A social system in which males hold primary power, predominately in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and control of property.

Feminism: The belief in social, economic, and political equality of the sexes. It also refers to movements aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, cultural rights for women.

Gender Equality: The state of equal ease of access to resources and opportunities regardless of gender including economic participation and decision-making; valuing all genders equally.