Gender Role Devolpment - Essay Example

Gender role development: When it comes to the main characteristics associated with men in American society, determination, compassion, and courage appear to three characteristics most commonly observed in American men. The conviction of men that anything can be made possible by determination and effort is another trait worth mentioning. Also, wading through the hard times with perseverance and bravery forms important characteristic related to American men. American women more often than not, do not like men to pay for everything all the time since it makes them feel inferior and less powerful compared to their partners.

Confidence and struggling for the best also appear to be highly common traits associated with American women. They like to try new things and travelling for the purpose of utilizing exciting opportunities does not appear to be a big deal for them. Also, American women seem to be excessively attached with their pets in emotional terms and heavily adore their pets, many times even more than human beings. I do not think that presently, men are dominant at any level while women are inferior or less powerful in USA.

Though gender-based oppression is still active at some levels, but it is a reality that male chauvinism has largely become an issue of the past. Women are actually appreciated to come forward and play active roles in the society at every level if they have will, talent, and strong determination. Many influential tycoons in the fields of media, politics, education, banking, and business happen to be women presently. Oprah Winfrey, Condoleeza Rice, Hillary Clinton, Serena Williams are just a few examples of American women who have played very good societal roles.

Saying that American women are not dominant or prominent at important societal levels, is empty mockery. In my childhood days, I was often told by my parents about the concept of gender socialization and how boys and girls should socialize themselves with respect to their genders. Boys and girls employ different ways of socializing because while American boys tend to be more outspoken and daring, American girls like to take time before socializing with the opposite sex though having male friends is not a big deal for them.

The possible stressors that could suffer if American boys and girls tend to behave nontraditionally may include societal despise and professional difficulties, while the fear of living a plastic life and not being able to fulfill personal desires may form the possible stressors that could suffer for those Americans who have to stick to traditional values, either willingly or forcefully. For example, homosexuality is a nontraditional behavior and many Americans still feel afraid of going public about their sexual inclinations out of societal fear, public offence, and workplace harassment even though same-sex marriages are announced legal in myriad American states.

In the same context, many Americans are found having to deal with personal difficulties and mental disturbance when not being able to go along with their personal desires of any nature out of fear of being ridiculed if they do not go in harmony with the established traditional values.