Gender stereotypes is a widely used term but what exactly it means? How do gender stereotypes impact our lives and how can we combat them? In this article, you will learn about some oversimplified and widely held beliefs. You will also learn to address associated challenges to foster a more inclusive and just society.
What is Stereotypes?
In simple terms, stereotypes are opinions, ideas, beliefs, and assumptions that we attach to a specific group of people such as a man or a woman. These assumptions can be related to their ethnicity, religion, weight, age, skin color, gender, etc.
These stereotypes can be false, unfair, and biased. It can lead to inequality and discrimination.
What is Gender Stereotypes?
Gender stereotype is a generalized perception that men and women possess certain characteristics and attributes, meaning they have certain qualities. These stereotypes can be both negative and positive. Such as, women are emotional and men don’t cry.
In different societies, various qualities or roles are assigned to women and men. For example, in some places, women are considered to remain at home and it is inappropriate for men to do household chores.
So in simple terms, gender stereotypes are a kind of belief of making any assumptions about a specific social group. It can be about men, women, or any other gender.
Classification of Gender Stereotypes
These stereotypes can have a positive or negative impact, regardless of whether they are good or bad.
1. Positive Gender Stereotypes
There are two types of positive stereotypes.
[a] Positive stereotypes are those that favor one gender over another or that benefit one social group. These stereotypes describe and attach good characteristics to a social group. Examples include, men being good leaders, elderly people being wise, and Africans being good athletes, etc.
[b] The other positive stereotype associates a behavior that one gender is encouraged to display more than the other. For example, women are good caregivers and speak politely, and boys are good at STEM subjects.
However, associating positive or good traits with a person or social group can lead to discrimination and inequality for others.
2. Negative Gender Stereotypes
Similar to positive stereotypes there are two types of negative gender stereotypes.
[a] Stereotypes that somehow disfavor a gender or social group. For example, people of color are more involved in criminal activities or girls are not good at Math.
[b] Negative stereotypes also mean that a certain gender or social group should not depict a certain behavior. Such as men can’t cry and women can’t be assertive.
Types of Gender Stereotypes
We experience gender stereotypes on a daily basis and these are widely spread in our lives.
Broadly speaking, gender stereotypes can be divided into four basic types.
1. Individual Character
In individual character, we expect a person, a man or a woman, a girl or a boy, to behave in a certain way. Hence, the way we refer to a person’s attitude or personality is the first of type gender stereotype.
For example, in almost any culture and society, generally, men are seen as fearless whereas women are assumed to be fearful.
2. Physical Appearance
When it comes to physical appearance we look for characteristics in a woman or a man. Both are expected to dress in a certain stereotypical manner.
For example, women should appear thin and elegant. They should remove their body hair. Whereas men should appear strong and tough and their body hair is considered a symbol of masculinity.
3. Behaviour Expectations
We expect certain behavior from a man or a woman. For instance, usually, women are expected to perform household chores and fulfill nurturing responsibilities.
On the other hand, men are expected to provide protection to the family and fulfill financial responsibilities.
4. Occupational Expectations
Women and men are assumed to be part of certain professions and fields. Generally, women are believed best for teaching and caregiving roles. Whereas, men are thought to be best fit for roles in the field of engineering and information technology.
The aforementioned division of occupations is the reason that children at a young age are encouraged to pursue certain subjects. Parents and teachers encourage boys to study STEM subjects and girls are motivated for social sciences and arts subjects.
How do Gender Stereotypes Influence People?
Gender stereotypes have a strong and trickle-down impact on individuals. It can limit opportunities for them, shape their thoughts, reinforce gender stereotypes, and foster inequality in society.
1. At Individual Level
Gender stereotypes shape your thoughts, behaviors, and relationships. As an individual, you learn how you talk, eat, laugh, etc. It guides you with your expectations and behavior towards others.
These stereotypes later shape your life choices. It directs you with the subjects you choose to study, the profession you select, the clothes you wear, the way you express yourself, and much more.
2. Gender Stereotypes in Home
In many societies, household chores are associated with women and men are the breadwinners. These gender roles are influenced by the historical division of work.
This is the reason that despite doing jobs, many women perform most of the housework. Hence, gender stereotypes impact the way an individual expects men and women to take responsibility and perform house duties.
3. Gender Stereotypes in Behaviour
Gender stereotypes influence our behaviors. In most societies, girls are raised as soft-spoken, well-behaved, and gentle. Being confident, outspoken, and aggressive are considered inappropriate for them.
Similarly, intellectual skills, leadership qualities, and assertiveness are associated with men. Hence, these behaviors are deeply woven into our social patterns, strengthening gender discrimination.
4. Gender Stereotypes in Education
Gender stereotypes strongly influence the educational choices of girls and boys. From a very young age educators encourage boys to study STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subjects. Similarly, girls are encouraged to Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences subjects.
Where girls face social and cultural restrictions to study STEM subjects boys are also discouraged from taking Arts and Humanities. The pattern of choosing and studying subjects is influenced by gender stereotypes that associate STEM subjects as masculine and Arts and Humanities as feminine.
You might be interested in What is the Gender Gap in Education? Its Types and Causes
5. Gender Stereotypes in Occupation
Stereotypes in families and education lead to stereotypes in occupational choices. Hence, engineering, technology, and science fields are dominated by men, while teaching, nursing, and social work are female-centric.
Such division reinforces gender stereotypes and discourages individuals from pursuing careers that don’t align with societal expectations. This underrepresents and perpetuates gender disparities in the workforce.
How to Combat Gender Stereotypes
Combating gender stereotypes can be challenging but it is essential to move towards a more equitable society. Below are some of the steps that can address these stereotypes.
1. Awareness and Education
Education is the first step that can spread awareness among the masses about the negative impact of gender biases and stereotypes. It is significant to develop educational programs that can help individuals to recognize stereotypes.
Educational institutes can adopt gender-neutral practices in classrooms that encourage more inclusive attitudes and behaviors. This includes avoiding language that can discourage a specific gender from taking a particular subject and using books that have equal representation of all genders.
2. Encouraging Diverse Role Models
The second step is fostering diversity in role models that challenge traditional gender norms. It is important to depict women in leadership roles, handling technology, and executing engineering tasks.
Similarly, men in teaching, caregiving, and nurturing roles can break traditional stereotypes. This will change traditional mindsets and inspire young minds and will play a significant role in breaking barriers.
3. Gender-Inclusive Policies
Adopting gender-inclusive policies or gender-neutral policies is another way to fight traditional gender biases and stereotypes. These policies can be adopted at the international, national, provincial, and local levels by governmental institutions.
Moreover, the private sector which includes companies, businesses, organizations, and institutions can also promote gender equality by adopting gender policies. This can help with supporting equal opportunities, gender parity, gender-inclusive workplaces, and addressing unjust gender biases and stereotypes.
Learn more about 5 Steps to Develop a Gender Policy
Also, explore What is the relationship between Gender and Policy?
4. Adopting Gender-Neutral Practices
Fostering gender-neutral practices in different fields such as in education, health, sports, and the private sector will reduce the impact of traditional gender roles and stereotypes.
Using gender-neutral language and encouraging diversity will help future generations to explore their interests and potential without any constraints.
5. Stereotypes in Media Representation
Digital, electronic, and print media have a significant role in shaping our thoughts. The way gender roles are presented in movies, advertisements, dramas, and social media influence the way we perceive things.
These channels often foster traditional gender roles and gender norms through the portrayal of characters. Hence, it strengthens the gender roles and division of work for ordinary people and reinforces gender biases.
To overcome this challenge media literacy is very crucial. This will help individuals to analyze and question the gender portrayal by media. When people are aware of gender representation by media, they will be more discerning consumers.
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Concluding Remarks
Gender stereotypes evolve in our surroundings and from a very young age, we support and become part of such ideologies. As discussed above these can be very harmful if not examined and confronted and can perpetuate gender inequality in society.
Combating these stereotypes requires a collective effort from top to bottom, i.e. from governmental institutions to the private sector, community level, and individual level. A little progress has been made and there is much work that needs to be done.