Masculinity In American Culture
The reasons behind the traditions and expectations goes further back than just the 1800’s when Americans applied rituals to their daily lives. Religion also prompts the expectations and restraints that society places on itself. Gods and goddesses (depending on the religion) have a significant impact on people's lives as people tend to follow the rules set by their religious beliefs. The Kelsey Museum of Archaeology exhibit on women and gender in ancient Egypt depicts goddesses as queens, child bearers, protectors of the gods and some severed merely as characterless consorts to the gods, while the men tended to be gods. Traditionally, it is imperative that women assume an inferior role as opposed to men in a society that is governed by
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religious faith. The exhibit explains how sexist the distribution of responsibility and roles women and men acquired were brought upon by their gods and goddesses. During ancient Egypt, employment was connected to the religious roles that were set in place by the gods and goddesses. Men were in charge of the temples and administrations and priests became part of the state bureaucracy. Women were also excluded from the working industry and their occupation was in entertainment as they will presume the roles of dancers or musicians. The way ancient Egyptians went about their employment is similar to the way careers have been for women and men in the past. Initially, women have been generally associated with music and dance, while men had labored jobs like being mechanics and computer engineers. These career paths have greatly emerged over the years, besides, there still is a barrier against women in the workplace. According to the human resources of women in the workplace, a full time working woman makes 77 cents for every dollar a man makes. It is also reported that women are most likely to have their professions interrupted due to parental responsibilities. In addition, the chart also speculates that in recent studies it has been proven that women are more concerned about their education and careers. Through Hillary Clinton’s nearby victory for the 2016 presidential elections, America will soon have its first female president. Hillary will ultimately transform America and the founder farmers “all men are created equal” statement. (fixed) Gender roles in regards to occupation and religious views has changed tremendously over the years.
Today, in order to change the inequality that is present in society, the change has to begin with masculinity.
Equally important as femininities, masculinity is socially constructed gender profiles that are categorized. Characterizing men in a specific category rather than equalizing them also diminishes them entirely by placing rigid expectations that are similar to that of societal views of women. Men are the reason for the continuous oppression on women and their acknowledgement and contribution will allow both genders to preserve their socially structured stereotypical roles in the society. Gender identity role continues to be a contradictory topic, especially when some men still have issues with the way women and men are being treated. As documented by Adyon Edwards in his article “It’s a Man’s World” (2015), a research program commissioned by a plan of over 4,000 adolescent children in different countries, including the United Kingdom, Rwanda, and India, found that: 83% of boys and 87% of girls in India and 67% of girls and 71% of boys in Rwanda agree with the statement ‘changing diapers, giving kids a bath and feeding kids are the mother’s responsibility’. More than 60% of participants agreed that ‘if resources are scarce, it is better to educate a boy instead of a girl’ and 65% of children in Rwanda and India agreed that ‘a woman should tolerate violence in order to keep her family together’ (pg.XX) The research was conducted by a few participants, but it does show how real and evident gender inequality is, especially in male dominated countries. Men have to empower and educate themselves to the idea that they can progress and relinquish the idea that they are subjugated to a specific role in society. The only way to prevent the continuation of power in the society is to deconstruct traditional masculinity and
power.
Gender inequality is unmistakably socially constructed by the limitations, expectations and traditional values varies according to cultural and religious beliefs. Changes have occurred for both men and women, but stereotypical perspectives continue to exist. Women and men continue to strive for gender equity and the only way to change the social order is by constructing a society with a whole new set of traditional values that do not refute the equal opportunity set for both genders. The only way for equality to become evident in society is with men and women acknowledging the fact that change has to be made.
religious faith. The exhibit explains how sexist the distribution of responsibility and roles women and men acquired were brought upon by their gods and goddesses. During ancient Egypt, employment was connected to the religious roles that were set in place by the gods and goddesses. Men were in charge of the temples and administrations and priests became part of the state bureaucracy. Women were also excluded from the working industry and their occupation was in entertainment as they will presume the roles of dancers or musicians. The way ancient Egyptians went about their employment is similar to the way careers have been for women and men in the past. Initially, women have been generally associated with music and dance, while men had labored jobs like being mechanics and computer engineers. These career paths have greatly emerged over the years, besides, there still is a barrier against women in the workplace. According to the human resources of women in the workplace, a full time working woman makes 77 cents for every dollar a man makes. It is also reported that women are most likely to have their professions interrupted due to parental responsibilities. In addition, the chart also speculates that in recent studies it has been proven that women are more concerned about their education and careers. Through Hillary Clinton’s nearby victory for the 2016 presidential elections, America will soon have its first female president. Hillary will ultimately transform America and the founder farmers “all men are created equal” statement. (fixed) Gender roles in regards to occupation and religious views has changed tremendously over the years.
Today, in order to change the inequality that is present in society, the change has to begin with masculinity.
Equally important as femininities, masculinity is socially constructed gender profiles that are categorized. Characterizing men in a specific category rather than equalizing them also diminishes them entirely by placing rigid expectations that are similar to that of societal views of women. Men are the reason for the continuous oppression on women and their acknowledgement and contribution will allow both genders to preserve their socially structured stereotypical roles in the society. Gender identity role continues to be a contradictory topic, especially when some men still have issues with the way women and men are being treated. As documented by Adyon Edwards in his article “It’s a Man’s World” (2015), a research program commissioned by a plan of over 4,000 adolescent children in different countries, including the United Kingdom, Rwanda, and India, found that: 83% of boys and 87% of girls in India and 67% of girls and 71% of boys in Rwanda agree with the statement ‘changing diapers, giving kids a bath and feeding kids are the mother’s responsibility’. More than 60% of participants agreed that ‘if resources are scarce, it is better to educate a boy instead of a girl’ and 65% of children in Rwanda and India agreed that ‘a woman should tolerate violence in order to keep her family together’ (pg.XX) The research was conducted by a few participants, but it does show how real and evident gender inequality is, especially in male dominated countries. Men have to empower and educate themselves to the idea that they can progress and relinquish the idea that they are subjugated to a specific role in society. The only way to prevent the continuation of power in the society is to deconstruct traditional masculinity and
power.
Gender inequality is unmistakably socially constructed by the limitations, expectations and traditional values varies according to cultural and religious beliefs. Changes have occurred for both men and women, but stereotypical perspectives continue to exist. Women and men continue to strive for gender equity and the only way to change the social order is by constructing a society with a whole new set of traditional values that do not refute the equal opportunity set for both genders. The only way for equality to become evident in society is with men and women acknowledging the fact that change has to be made.