Final Project: Research ProposalIn Weeks 1 through 9, you have created all the sections to be included in the research proposal. This week, you will collate all these sections and create the final dra

THE WORLD WE LIVE IN 7

David Blanding

South University

PSY 3011 Week 6 Project

May 18, 2020

ABSTRACT

This paper will discuss the power, privileges and entitlements given to particular groups within our society. It will break down the importance of understanding the different economic categories that affect the dynamics and truth about gender and gender roles. It will also address the major factors that cause stereotypical thinking towards different gender groups. This paper will address the norms of society and give examples and various instances that affect the views of others regarding them.

In today’s society, there are many factors that play major roles. A person’s class, a person’s race and also a person’s gender can very easily be a determining factor in how he or she develops or navigate through society, (Kendall, 2013). During this paper we will be able to analyze and assess the effects of gender and relationship roles, and the impact that particular stereotypes have on the way we have in this day and age.

At an early age we realize “I am a boy.” or, “I am a girl.” Of course, we are told this by our parents, siblings and caregivers from very early on, but it is in the toddler years when we can identify that our gender is different from that of another person’s. We begin to notice the subtle differences between how boys are treated and girls are treated, store this information, and recall it in later years. There are several ways we learn this information, from picking up on cues from our parents, friendships, and other caregivers to modeling behavior we see on television shows and in movies. We begin to make our own rules regarding how we should act as boys or girls, and even how we should behave in our relationships, (The Nxt Chapter, 2019).

As we grow older and develop our social norms. Our gender roles separates male from female based on their biological make up. Gender roles are established by a society and those who make up the norms of that society, (Kendall, 2013). In society, men seem to have more power than women and are more privileged or accepted as being the dominant gender. Even having research from hundreds and even thousands of years ago, the male gender always seemed to have a dominant and more relevant place in society over that of a female. Research has proven that men are usually expected to exert pressure or force on their sexual partners, assume responsibility as the “breadwinner” of the family, achieve status by earning lots of money, and work in careers that are mechanical or analytical. The female gender however, was always looked upon to be emotionally sensitive and vulnerable, have children, meet the needs of others before their own, and choose careers in the “helping” professions. This type of thinking is due to stereotypes. Stereotypes are preconceived notions about an individual or group of individuals based on a common perception given by those in power in society. (Kendall, 2013).

Gender in society can determine much of these things also. For example women, nor African Americans had the right to vote in this country. Before World War II, certain jobs were only available to men (Kendall, 2013). It was even unlawful to pay women on certain amounts of wages for work (Kendall, 2013). Women could have easily been considered second class citizens.

I was able to sit in on a specific interview that was in support of a case study about gender. This particular interview was with an African American female. She’s 34 years old, has four children and is considered by society to be a part of middle class. She has also been married for 15 years and expressed that she gets the same responses as the African American male whenever she introduces herself as such. However, this woman does view the majority of her issue with society to be racial. She states that as a Non-commissioned Officer (NCO) in the United States Army, gender tends to play a huge role. She says that most male counterparts are often promoted in the ranks faster than females. She also stated that even when a female out ranks a male, that male tends to often still be placed in more of a leadership role. This is due to society and how it promotes or promoted certain gender roles. In earlier years, women were not even allowed to hold certain jobs and positions in the United States Army. (Kendall, 2013). The norms of the society in which she live are constantly changing.

However, there are some gender roles that still remain evident in our society (Kendall, 2013). This woman stated that often times when she ask for a military discount while she’s with her husband people often turn to him and ask how long did he serve in the military. As it pertains to these two individuals believe post modernism is the best way to describe their development in society. She has since learned how to adapt, grow and change with society and have not allowed restrictions to stand in her way of being successful. Gender and the way we view relationships and the demands on the person of the opposite sex, can really alter our way of life. We must be diligent, open and honest about our position and the things that we are willing to adapt to as a generation.

References

Kendall, D. (2013). Sociology in Our Times, 11th. Independence, KY: Wadsworth Publishing. ISBN : 9781305503090

The Nxt Chapter, Retrieved from: https://thenxtchapter.com/relationships/navigating-traditional-gender-roles