Breaking Down 3 Cultural Norms Around Gender Roles: A Global Perspective
Gender roles have been culturally defined for centuries, and they continue to be strongly emphasized in many cultures around the world. While progress has been made towards gender equality, there are still many cultural norms that dictate how gender roles should be perceived and how individuals should act based on their gender. In this blog article, we will discuss three cultural norms around gender roles from a global perspective, aiming to provide insights into how gender norms vary around the world.
Norm 1: Gender Stereotyping in Career and Education Choices
One of the most common cultural norms around gender roles is the belief that gender should impact career and education choices. In many cultures around the world, boys are encouraged to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, while girls are encouraged to focus on traditional female-dominated fields such as healthcare, education, and the arts.
This gender stereotyping begins at a young age, with children being encouraged to select toys and activities that are typically associated with their gender. Studies have shown that this conditioning leads to inequalities in career opportunities and education outcomes for both boys and girls.
For example, UNESCO reports that while women constitute 40% of STEM graduates, they only make up 28% of the science and engineering workforce around the world. Similarly, boys are less likely to be encouraged to pursue traditionally female-dominated fields, limiting their potential opportunities.
This cultural norm needs to be tackled through awareness campaigns and initiatives to break down gender barriers in education and career opportunities.
Norm 2: Strict Gender Roles in Household Tasks
Another cultural norm around gender roles is the belief that household tasks and chores should be divided rigidly based on gender. In many cultures, men are considered primary breadwinners, while women are responsible for taking care of the household and raising children.
This division of labor is often seen as natural, and so women are expected to prioritize their family over their careers. This has led to inequalities in pay and career advancement opportunities for women, making it harder for women to achieve success in the workplace.
Breaking down this norm requires changing attitudes about gender roles. Men need to be encouraged to help with household tasks and child-rearing, and women need to be given equal opportunities in the workplace.
Norm 3: The Cultural Pressures of Masculinity
The concept of masculinity has been defined in different ways and by various cultures. In many cultures, masculinity is associated with being tough, aggressive, and dominant. As such, men are often discouraged from expressing emotions or displaying vulnerability, as these are seen as signs of weakness.
These cultural pressures can lead to mental health issues and high levels of stress, as men are expected to live up to a certain standard that is often impossible to achieve. As a society, we need to challenge these notions of masculinity and allow men to express themselves fully as human beings.
Examples of successful campaigns that challenge the cultural pressures of masculinity include Movember and The Man Box Campaign by Promundo and Axe.
Conclusion
Breaking down cultural norms around gender roles is a complex issue that requires time, effort, and collaboration from individuals, governments, and organizations around the world. By striving towards gender equality, we can help everyone reach their full potential, regardless of their gender. As individuals, we can start by questioning our own assumptions about gender roles and challenging gender stereotypes in our own lives.
