The society in which we live plays an enormous role in shaping the attitudes and behavior of all those who are a part of it. Humans, as social beings, are constantly being bombarded with information from the environment which can influence the way we perceive the world and also shape our attitudes and beliefs, gradually molding each and every one of us into an “accepted” member of society. In the social sciences and humanities, a gender role is a set of behavioral norms associated with males and with females, respectively, in a given social group or system. In many ways gender identity and roles function as any other social identity and role.What are men's and women's roles in society? Are men and women equal in ability and opportunity? Should they be equal or do they have distinct roles they should play? In this day and age, people like to be "politically correct" by attempting to make both sexes equal. Most people feel that it is unfair to say that men can do certain activities better than women and women can do other activities better than men, but is it actually unfair, or has God actually made men and women differently and given them different roles in life and society?Gender roles have long been a nature/nurture debate; traditional theories of gender usually assume that one's gender identity, and hence one's gender role, is a natural given. For example, it is often claimed in Western societies that women are naturally more fit to look after children. The idea that differences in gender roles originate in differences in biology has found support in parts of the scientific community. I strongly believe that gender roles are created by the environment and culture, rather than just pure biological reasons.“Let the boys be boys.” You’ve heard this phrase before. Often repeated by parents regarding their little boys. So what makes a boy, a boy? Rambo like characteristics? Muscles? Short hair? Wearing blue? Wearing T-shirts and jeans or playing with sporting equipment? Well last I remember, the main characteristics boys shared were penises. The role gender association play in the lives of our children can sometimes affect them negatively. The messages that gender roles send, is that in order to be apart of society, you must fit into the norm or the status quo or most importantly what society deems as acceptable. But all the while, trying to incorporate individuality and establishing ones sense of self. Two conflicting ideas that can confuse a child and also alter the way they live their lives.Our parents start teaching us our roles shortly after birth, boys are cuddled, kissed,and stroked less than girls while girls are less often tossed and handled roughly. From the moment we are born, we are places in a certain category by our parents and the society we live in. Every known human society presents individuals with a set of statuses by which members of the society identify themselves and one another. Such statuses may be assigned to an individual automatically, based on the status of his or her parents, or based on some physical characteristic.Television informs and entertains. It is a powerful influence in determining the roles of men and women in society. Young people are especially influenced by its portrayal of gender roles. Although television has improved its portrayal of gender, women are still typecast in traditional roles, and under represented, while men are portrayed as dominant figures. Women are stereotypically represented as dependent, and emotional. Women are the mothers, and men are the bread winners. In addition to age, gender is one of the universal dimensions on which status differences are based. Unlike sex, which is a biological concept, gender is a social construct specifying the socially and culturally prescribed roles that men and women are to follow.
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