Gender Roles

Arisnelly: Sex refers to the biological differences between the two sexes - chromosomes, hormonal profiles, internal and external sex organs. Gender describes the characteristics that a society or culture depict to be masculine or feminine. Society's perception of modern day gender presentation has changed substantially and is constantly shifting, as the four fun-facts below illustrate.

1. Pink used to be considered a "boy color" and blue a "girl color". 

   

   Pastels became popularized in the early 1900s when a retail trade publication tried to distinguish between the two sexes with colors. "Being a more decided and stronger color, [pink] is more suitable for the boy," the article stated, "while [blue], which is more delicate and dainty, is prettier for the girl."

2. High heels were designed and created for men, being deemed as "masculine" for a century. 

   

   To protect the foot in its strap while shooting an arrow from a saddle, Persian soldiers used to sport high-heeled shoes while horseback riding. This simple gesture amused the European elite, who went on to endorse the horsemen's masculine footwear for their own fashionable purposes in the 1600s.

3. Lace was considered a "manly" fabric for the upper-class. 

   

   Like the aforementioned high-heeled shoe, lace began to catch on in the European market around the 16th century. It was complicated and elaborate in its design, taking over ten hours to produce (with a price to match all of the hard work it took). Up until the 18th century, mainly "aristocratic, upper class" men wore it.

4. Cheerleading began as a Boys' Club, because it was too "manly" for girls. 

   

   The first alleged cheerleader was University of Minnesota student, Johnny Campbell, who was able to gain the confidence of a 1898 football crowd to follow his chanting lead. Campbell's legacy was preserved by Dwight D. Eisenhower, Franklin Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan -- former U.S. presidents who also happened to be cheerleaders.
   
   
   Gender roles are only a representation of society's ideals and expectations, and should never define who you are as an individual.
   

   

Sadia: As a brown girl growing up in a what can be very constrictive culture, it has made me feel suffocated. I sometimes feel like I am trapped in a box that is defined by patriarchy which decides what my role and purpose is as a female. The idea of men and women having specific roles in daily life is seen everyday in outward sexism, but is especially highlighted when I speak about ambition and goals for the future. More times than I can count, I have been told that my ultimate goal in life should be to marry a nice brown guy and have kids. There’s nothing wrong with being married or having a family, but being told that from the age of 10 -- which is as early as I can remember -- makes me feel as though I have been raised to be married. I have been molded to believe that my needs and wants should not take precedent over my future families, and that my ultimate purpose in life is to be a caretaker.  However, I have noticed that this idea of marriage and home life is not sewn into boys my age. They are instead told to study hard in school, and follow the typical Indian stereotype of becoming an engineer or get a degree in IT. Trapping young minds in the stifling constraints of outdated culture serves nobody. This culture, which is (slowly) progressing with the millennial generation, has many boundaries to break and many uncomfortable conversations to be had with parents who will come to realize that their daughters are not born to be wives and provide them with grandchildren. Gender roles in all cultures, especially for women, have been used as weapons of control against females who have the brains and willpower to be just as great as men. It is the fear of change and progressiveness which prevents a society from practicing equality amongst men and women. It’s up to the men of this generation to reject conventional roles, as women work to break glass ceilings and rise above what holds them down.