According to most sociologists, gender is socially constructed. After listening to the podcast Women Are Not Men, explain your opinion about the continuation of current gender construction and the future construction of gender roles. Please answer the following questions in your response:

 Listen to the podcast Women Are Not Men : https://freakonomics.com/podcast/women-are-not-men-a-new-freakonomics-radio-podcast/

 

• How have you seen gender roles change?
• How would you like to see gender roles to change?
• How would society improve from the changes you suggest?
• What will need to take place for these changes to occur?
• Be sure to support your opinions with information from the textbook, the podcast, or your own research.

 

1. How have you seen gender roles change?

Changes in gender connections are sometimes recognized as being in direct confrontation with deeply held religious beliefs or cultural values about the different roles of men and women and how people live their lives. Changes in norms about authority within the family were exceptionally controversial because men (and, to some extent, women) adopted this change as a loss of status. Talk about women's and children's rights was "eroding cultures", persuading disobedience, and resulting in confusion, uncertainty and tensions across generations. As more equal gender norms take hold, the perceived loss of status for men can feel disempowering, in contrast though, individual viewed the emphasis on girls as a positive change overall, acknowledging its potential developmental benefits.

Also Individual may observe strong contrast between men and women for two reasons. First, unconscious bias may manipulate the way in which individual perceive and thus remember gender atypical behavior as more stereotypical that it actually was. Second, the genders may reduce cross gender behavior for fear that they may sustain backlash that is typically directed at atypical men and women.

2. How would you like to see gender roles to change?

Every individual see gender stereotypes. Some might also have seen or experienced sexism, or discrimination based on gender. There are ways to interrogate these stereotypes to help everyone — in spite of their gender or gender identity — feel equal and valued as people.

Call attention — TV, film, magazines and the Internet are filled of negative gender stereotypes. Sometimes these stereotypes are heavy for people to see unless they're pointed out or call them out. Be that person! Talk with friends and family members about the stereotypes you see and help others realize how sexism and gender stereotypes can be painful.

Be a good example — Respect people regardless of their gender identity. Make a safe space for people to express themselves and their true qualities regardless of what society's gender stereotypes and expectations are.

Raise your voice — if someone is making sexist jokes and comments, whether online or in person, challenge them.

Just try — If you want to do something that's not normally associated with your gender, think about whether you'll be safe doing it. If you think you will, give it a try. People will learn from your example.

3. How would society improve from the changes for gender roles?

Gender considerations in development in the society amplify sustainable growth. It must extend to all aspects of women and male contribution; human security whether environment, economic, social cultural or personal. It demands that priorities of both women and men and vision of development goals and approaches are clearly addressed, integrated and promoted particularly in policies related to education, science, culture, communication and information.

Significance in gender is based on three strategic principles: 

Universality - encouragement and respect for universal freedoms and right, freedom of expression and freedom from poverty.

Diversity - ensuring the respect for diversity. The cultural sphere and the media.

Participation - ensuring the full cooperation of women in the emerging knowledge societies and their involvement in policy dialogue and implementation.

4. What will need to take place for these changes to occur?

• Comprehensive drivers of change, such as economic development or the spread of communications technology 

• Considered efforts to inspire change, such as new laws, policies or programmes, or social and political activism 

• Exposure to new ideas and application that get discussed through formal and informal channels (conversations, role modelling), including the media.

As discussed, economic developments (either new opportunities or existing opportunities ending) can result to rapid change in gender roles, which can, in turn, result to changes in gender norms. But there is often a time lag between changes in a given norm and changes in the practices those norms.