The Western Cultures View of Gender Roles - Case Study Example

Sexual Orientation and Gender Roles Pathology In carrying out his study, Rassi p.2) found out that “over the past 50 years, socially constructed categories used to differentiate and categorize human beings have changed drastically in Western industrialized nations.” According to him, categories such as that of race have lost the biological basis. At one time in the past, gender was used to explain human behaviors, with the claim that the behaviors were based on biological imperatives. Currently, however, gender and sex are regarded social constructs that are not determined by either human biology or experience. In tandem with this assertion, it is evident that a couple often anticipates the child blessed to them to portray some characteristics related to its gender. For instance, a male child is expected to portray some elements of independence in addition to being assertive and competitive. A female child, on the other hand, is expected to be passive, sensitive as well as supportive. However, these beliefs have changed significantly over the past 50 years around the world. Currently, there is significant variation in cultural gender-role standards across all cultures in the world (Rassi, 2011). In most occasions, however, variation in cultural practices correlates with variation in age, education, occupation as well as ethnicity. It is also evident that African American families do not adhere to strict gender role distinctions as in the past when socializing with their children. Sexual orientation refers to an individual’s emotional as well as sexual attraction to a specific sex (male or female). Sexual orientation consists of four categories: heterosexuality that involves attraction to a person of the opposite sex; homosexuality, the attraction to persons of one’s sex; bisexual, attraction to persons of any sex; and asexuality, that involves no attraction to any type of sex. In relation to sexual orientation, it is evident that Western culture only valued heterosexuality as the norm in the past. However, the support of human freedom has significantly led to the change of the Western culture in the past few years. For instance, homosexuality is considered as a norm in Western countries such as the U.S. Additionally; it is evident that people no longer depend on participation in sexual activity to determine the sexual orientation of an individual. Currently, people have the potential to celibate and still realize their sexual orientation (Little, 2014). From these occurrences in the society, one can deduce that Western culture views on some practices have changed significantly. In the past, homosexuals and bisexuals were highly disregarded by the majority of the people in the Western countries. This was evidenced by the fact that the majority of the homosexuals (gay, lesbian), bisexuals or transgendered students were verbally as well as physically harassed in schools. The harassment of such students was in tandem with the fact that the Western culture viewed the practice homosexuality as well as bisexuality un-societal. However, the change in time led to many scholars coming up with their reasoning for the discrimination. For instance, it was argued that discrimination based on sexual orientation was as a result of stereotypes, misinformation in addition to homophobia. In relation to this assertion, one can deduce that the Western view of homosexuality and bisexuality has changed significantly. Western cultures defined marriage as a union between man and woman with the assigning of sexual rights and taking the responsibility of raising children as a union. In its tradition form, marriage also organized parents and their children into domestic groups that carried out basic roles according to age and gender. Variations and changes with time led to the acceptance of same-sexed marriages in the Western cultures. It was argued that acceptance of same-sexed marriages was in connection with the fact that the acceptance of the practice was one of the ways of solving human problems that existed in the society. From this, one can deduce that the call for observance of human freedom rights contributed significantly to the Western cultures views changing in order to accommodate some new practices in the society. As children grow, they learn how to behave from their immediate environment (those around them). As a result of this socialization process, the children are introduced to specific roles related to their biological sex. In relation to this, “the term Gender role refers to society’s concept of how men and women are expected to act and how they should behave” (Hawk, Hatfield & Martel, 2004, p.7). These roles are often based on norms created by society. One-way children acquaint themselves with gender roles is through play. In the past years (early 1900s and 1950s), the Western culture imposed paternalism ideals. This was in relation to the fact that the majority of the Western countries such as the U.S were a patriarchal society with limited women’s rights. It was not common for women to work outside their homes; majority of them were subjugated to being housewives. Additionally, the Western cultures considered women as property to men; they were obliged to follow what their husband ordered them to do. In relation to this, young ladies were prepared from birth to fit the roles awaiting them in the society. Additionally, women were obliged to satisfy the sexual interest of their husbands. However, this changed with the changes in family structure as well as sex roles. The demand for equality by women activists led to the change of the Western cultures’ view on the role of women in the society. For instance, it is evident that the demand for equality of women and men in leadership led to the Western cultures’ view on the position of women in the society to change significantly. Unlike in the past, the Western cultures advocates inclusion as well as representation of women in all facets of life. It is also evident that women are no longer regarded as housewives as it used to be 50 years ago. Just like men, the current Western culture allows women to work together with men in organizations. Just like cultures from third world countries, the Western culture disregarded women’s education in the past years. It was believed that only men were entitled to education. However, the success of women in academics as well as leadership led to the change of the negative perception about women. Advancement in technology and rise of awareness about some practices in life has also played a very significant role towards change of the Western cultures view on gender roles. Currently, women as well as men are allowed to by-pass their respective roles in order to enhance communication, as well as embrace change. In tandem with this assertion, Vunisea (2007) claims that social and economic shifts linked with globalization, environmental pressures, as well as development projects impact the Western cultures significantly. It is as a result of these changes that the Western culture’s view of gender roles changed. In conclusion, many factors have led to the change of the Western cultural views on sexual orientation and gender roles for the past 50 years. Among the factors that have contributed to the change of the Western cultural view on sexual orientation include the demand for observance of human rights and acceptance of same-sexed marriages. The advancement in education status of people also contributed significantly to the change of the Western cultural view on sexual orientation; majority of the human activists claim that no human being is entitled to discrimination because of oneself practice. The change in Western cultural view on gender roles is also as a result of globalization and industrialization. These changes led to the emergence of new opportunities that need to be exploited by both women and men. The rise of women in the society also contributed significantly towards the change of the Western cultural views on tradition. References Hawk, S., Hatfield, E. & Martel, L. (2004). Sexual Behavior and Culture. In Charles Spielberger (Ed.) Encyclopedia of Applied Psychology, 3, London: Elsevier Ltd, 385-392. Little, W. (2014). Chapter 12. Gender, Sex, and Sexuality. Retrieved from http://opentextbc.ca/introductiontosociology/chapter/chapter12-gender-sex-and-sexuality/ Rassi, S. (2011). U.S. Social Work Faculty and Gender Diversity Concerns: Personal Perspectives and Curricular Considerations. Retrieved from http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/89752/mercury_1.pdf?sequence= 1 Vunisea, A. (2007). Institutional Influences on Gender Roles. SPC Women in Fisheries Information Bulletin. Retrieved from http://www.spc.int/DigitalLibrary/Doc/FAME/InfoBull/WIF/17/WIF17_16_Vunisea.pdf Read More