"The nature of masculinity ('maleness'/male behaviors) and/or femininity ('femaleness'/female behaviors) is becoming more mixed up 'these days'". A Gender role is a set of expected behaviors’ for males and for females. Gender roles have changed throughout the years but not every male and female has changed with them. This essay will explore the attitudes towards traditional gender roles which, varies by culture and education. In today's society the media presents saturated ideas of what is considered to be masculine and feminine.
It is assumed that men are supposed to act 'masculine', while women present themselves in a 'feminine' manner. Traditionally 'masculinity' is defined as being a breadwinner, strong, protective, assertive, not emotionally expressive and intellectually rational, meaning they are good at electronics and hard disciplines, such as mathematics, engineering etc. While 'femininity’ was defined to be someone who was soft, understanding, forgiving, caring, supportive, patient, passive, nurturing, useless at mechanical and electronic work and intellectually limited, hence they are emotionally expressive and talkative who enjoy soft disciplines like nursing and English literature. In the 19th century Britain, middleclass men were seen to be physically strong, emotionally stable and hard working, while, middleclass women were physically, intellectually and emotionally delicate, virgins at marriage and incapable of physical labor.
Now, gender roles have changed significantly and people’s perception and understanding of it have increased. Gender roles have now become more integrated, in a sense that some aspects of femininity and masculinity have either disappeared or combined. Attitudes towards a women engaging in occupations which traditionally were considered to be a ‘masculine jobs’ have changed, hence women are now working and having a stable career. Women in today's society are perceived to be harder workers but still emotionally sensitive....
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