During the existence of mankind, thanks to evolution, men and women have developed certain roles in life. Over time, roles changed to occupations and professions, and with them came so-called gender stereotypes. What is it and what is it eaten with? Let's figure it out in order.
Gender stereotypes are ideas about the behavior of men and women that are widespread in society. In other words, the majority opinion about a particular field of activity and who belongs to it are gender stereotypes. That is, men are strong and women are weak - these are nothing more than stereotypes. A man is a welder, a woman is a teacher - also a stereotype.
When gender determines one's role in society
What is gender
This is a concept that is often confused with gender.
It is the definition of a woman or a man according to their social role. To find out gender, you need to understand what set of characteristics a person has. In addition, this characteristic is responsible for how the individual will be perceived in society. It can either coincide with biological sex or be opposed to it.
A little about gender roles
This concept is given to a person by society. “Gender role” refers to a set of specific characteristics and expectations that an individual will have in accordance with his biological sex.
A striking example is that in the minds of the mass of people, a woman should be gentle, the keeper of the hearth, protect, care, and play the role of a mother. A man is a breadwinner, goes to work, climbs the career ladder.
The term "gender" as a social category
This term was first introduced into practice in 1975. It arose as a result of the differentiation of social, cultural and constitutional aspects determined by the gender of the individual and the difference in their qualities.
Definition 2
Gender is a sexual, socio-biological characteristic that reflects the socio-psychological signs of personality development, determined by its gender.
The introduction of this term reflects the presence of psychological differences between the sexes.
Types of thinking distortions
“Cognitive distortion” refers to some incorrect thoughts that do not correspond to reality. At the same time, the person is convinced that he is right. Based on these judgments, a person regularly makes the same mistakes. For example, the husband is the breadwinner, and the grandmother must bake pies.
Typically, such distortions are caused either by social pressure or by evolutionary adaptability. In fact, a person grows up in certain conditions, gets used to them and accepts them as the only true ones. Gender prejudices often arise from such thoughts.
Belief in a just world
One of the common misconceptions that is the basis for misogyny or sexism. Most people believe that our world is arranged fairly, and everyone receives according to their abilities and skills.
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Watching how women are humiliated for their gender, a person believes that she deserved it with her behavior. The source of such a stereotype is a happy life. People who have not faced life’s problems think this way.
The Illusion of Correlation
The main feature of human thinking. The modern person is not inclined to believe in the unknown, the emptiness. We think we know everything, so we look for obvious explanations for difficult things.
Many people find a connection between two things because it seems obvious to them based on a few coincidences. A striking example is that all women are stupid and want to stay at home.
Cascade of available information
A mass phenomenon characteristic of people who regularly read discussions on a certain topic. It means the phenomenon when the same thought at first seems wrong, but over time it gains more and more weight if it is often heard and occurs in thematic discussions.
Let's give an example. Let's assume that a person is not subject to gender stereotypes. However, he finds himself in the wrong company, where the opinions of the ladies are not taken into account. Over time, the idea that the opposite sex is bad becomes familiar to him.
Self-fulfilling prophecies
This is some thought, a prophecy for the future, which by its very existence influences reality and can easily be fulfilled. Moreover, the reason for this is not that the speaker was right, but that the phrase itself already carries some kind of message.
Let us give an example from the field of gender stereotypes. Let's say a woman gets a job. Her boss is convinced that she is stupid, so he only gives her the easiest tasks. As a result, the girl really cannot express herself, and over time she even loses her professional skills.
A man should earn more than a woman
Woe to all businesswomen, now they can’t marry for love, because the main thing for a happy relationship is that the husband’s salary be at least a ruble higher than that of the wife. Otherwise, he’s not a man, not a breadwinner, and not... Wait, since when did relationships turn into a salary competition? And who benefits from maintaining this stereotype, you or the mothers who dream of selling their daughters in marriage at a higher price?
Yes, the roots of this prejudice go far into the past, and if you look at it, it has nothing to do with modern realities. A husband can work as a doctor and save people’s lives, unfortunately not receiving decent pay for it, when his wife’s nail salon, skillfully promoted on Instagram, brings stable and high profits. Does this make them an inferior couple? No.
Main groups
Masculinity and femininity
Refers rather to character traits and interests. Distributes gender stereotypes between men and women, attributing courage, bravery and a pumped-up body to some, and thinness, tenderness and cowardice to others.
For refusing to follow such opinions, girls are called “men” and, on the contrary, they are told that they are behaving incorrectly.
Family and professional roles, interests
Among other things, stereotypes about women dictate what they should do. For example, a girl should want to go to the office, and a guy should want to go to a factory or construction site. In a family, some should be the keepers of the hearth, while others should be the breadwinners.
Interests are also regulated. Guys, for example, cannot watch anime, and women cannot assemble models.
Choosing a field of activity
Another rule prescribed by society is the definition of profession and subsequent field of activity. Men should go into exact sciences, and girls should be secretaries or work in the beauty industry.
These stereotypes are the most dangerous. If a person takes a different job, he will face severe discrimination and inequality.
What is gender and male and female gender stereotypes?
Before developing the topic of gender stereotypes, let us briefly define the concept of “gender” itself. This term, which goes back to the English gender and the Latin genus, which means “genus,” understands a number of characteristics that are related to masculinity and femininity. At the same time, gender identity is not related to a person’s sexual orientation: the concept of gender refers to mental, social and cultural differences, and gender is determined only by physical differences (human anatomy and physiology).
Femininity, or femininity, is a pattern of behavior and the focus of mental qualities that make up the female gender - such as tenderness, compassion, sensitivity, and so on. The opposite of femininity is masculinity (masculinity) - a male gender stereotype, which is characterized by such traits as independence, rationality, courage, assertiveness, emotional control and others. The concept of femininity, as well as masculinity, is shaped by the cultural, ethnic, age and social environment.
Exploring Perceptual Limits
When did interest in studying gender misconceptions begin?
The study of inequality between the sexes and related discrimination began around the 1970s, when stereotypes about girls began to contradict the wave of equality. Society has realized that different sexes can look alike.
It was then that the concept of a stereotype appeared, and the first work in this industry began. The studies are still ongoing.
Main directions of scientific work
Some scientists conduct their work at the intersection of biology and psychology, trying to prove that sexist judgments have the right to life and are anatomically justified. However, not a single study in this direction has been successful.
People are trying to find out what justifies such a strict division into two genders and assigning certain characteristics to them. So far there are two theories - androcentric (accepting men as the default option) and evolutionary (sexism formed in the process of evolution).
The writers reflected some of their research in their works, which have already become iconic.
Who cooked for Adam Smith? Women and the world economy. Catherine Marcal
Excellently debunks a huge part of the misconceptions about girls and women. He tells that a person of any gender can become an excellent economist and financier, and shows that there are not the most obvious examples in history.
In addition, it touches on the role of motherhood and says that a good parent does not necessarily have to dissolve in his child and sit at home until he comes of age.
The myth of beauty. Stereotypes against women Naomi Wolf
The author says that most people suffer from complexes. She talks about how to cope with low self-esteem and become beautiful without changing anything about yourself.
Since gender stereotypes are a full set of characteristics, they also affect appearance. Most girls are expected to be perfectly beautiful, have a thin or toned physique, perfect skin and long hair.
"The Feminine Mystique" by Betty Friedan
A fundamental work, the author of which has done enormous sociological work. The girl analyzed all the works and surveys in this area, talked with some acquaintances who managed to achieve success.
As a result, she debunked most of the stereotypes and showed where all these “mandatory rules” come from.
All men need only one!4
The role of sex in relationships cannot be underestimated, but in modern society it is greatly overestimated. And there is a simple and understandable explanation for this, and this is marketing again! Advertising mechanisms exploit simple physiological needs, which is why girls in swimsuits advertise cars, men's deodorants, cigarettes, alcohol and many other things that have nothing to do with sexual instincts.
True, this trend is gradually starting to go away, because many people have long suspected that there is a deception hidden somewhere here. And most importantly, women also want sex and enjoy it! Does this mean that they also only need one?
Components of the ideology of the destruction of society
Biological essentialism
One of the most popular misconceptions leading to the gradual destruction and moral degradation of society. It consists in the fact that belonging to any class or gender carries with it a certain connotation, an innate essence that cannot be changed.
Using biological essentialism, people justify differences and inequalities between the sexes by saying that men and women are different by default, by nature, since they were the ones who hunted mammoths and brought game.
Gender polarization
Examples of gender stereotypes show that men and women are supposedly completely different people. They think and think differently. Accordingly, all life experience and research are also divided into two categories that do not touch each other.
Because of this, most of the information passes by other people.
Androcentrism
The basis for a huge number of rules and stereotypes. In the course of this concept, man and masculinity are declared normal for human culture. A woman is considered a deviation from the norm.
As a result, for example, women's work is considered invisible. The very concept of “work” is associated with guys, and working girls are declared an exception.
Double loops
This case implies a situation where a person can choose only from two options, each of which has its own unpleasant consequences. In fact, this choice is only imposed by society.
A striking example is the choice between “femininity” and “successful career”. In fact, you can develop both in your career and family.
When stereotypes degenerate into hatred
Sexism and misogyny
Gradually, gender stereotypes flourishing in society develop into sexism. This is a phenomenon in which gender inequality and different roles are considered correct and justified. Gradually things move towards misogyny. This is an unjustified hostility or even hatred towards female representatives.
The dangers of benevolent sexism
Even just justifying the supposedly obvious divisions of professions and characters according to biological sex, you emphasize stereotypes about men and women, making them the rule. The same applies to sentences like “well, I just want to protect the girls so that they feel good.”
It is important
The more people believe in this polar division, the more misogyny will flourish.
Consequences for society
In politics
In many countries, the percentage of women's participation in politics is quite low. As a result, it is highly likely that a girl who promotes sound ideas simply will not get into parliament. This allows sexist and discriminatory laws to be passed. There is no one to protect the rights of girls.
In economics
The career glass ceiling for women is not a myth. If the employer has a choice of who to hire - a girl or a guy - they will hire the owner of the Y chromosome, justifying themselves with stereotypes. In addition, women are typically paid lower wages and are less likely to receive promotions and bonuses.
In religion
In many religions, the female sex is still considered unclean. Prominent representatives are Orthodoxy and Islam. In both religions, a woman is almost equated with a demon during menstruation.
She should sit at home and listen to her husband. Her opinion is not taken into account. This all leads to a terrible thing - female circumcision.
In family
Most girls grow up surrounded by constant stereotypes and a patriarchal family model. As a result, they themselves cannot build an equal marriage or find a worthy life partner.
This in turn leads to a relationship with an abuser and the inability to escape domestic violence. The girl thinks that this is normal, that she herself deserved the beating.
In education
From early childhood, the same stereotype is hammered into the heads of boys and girls: boys are stupid, and girls are ideal excellent students who never run around the corridors.
This is dangerous for both sides of the conflict. Guys are considered hooligans by default, while girls are expected to be perfect.
In healthcare
Most diseases are related to gender, at least that's what doctors think. Men associate any disease with an unhealthy lifestyle. Women are treated so that they can then give birth.
