Traditional Gender Norms In The United States, Sweden, And Afghanistan

Housewife, breadwinner, caregiver, man of the house are typical common stereotypes of males and females all over the world, while each country may be different on their gender norms they are all socially constructed. Cultures and religion of traditional gender ideology add to the notion that males are more dominant than females. Gender norms were constructed by society and people to mimic a specific model of behavior for men and women. Across the globe, women are under a shadow of dominance and patriarchal norms that control who has access to resource, education and opportunities. I will be comparing and contrasting the differences between traditional gender roles and norms in the United States, Sweden and Afghanistan.
Stereotypes/Stigmas
United States:
In the United States men and women are treated differently.
Dating back to the 1800’s, women were not the head of the household, men were. Women were considered property to their husbands or “second-class citizens” (NWHM, 2007). Men made all the decisions and brought home the money. Women were taught to be subservient to males. Old traditional gender norms supported that women are to stay home and care for the children. Before women have rights in society they were dominated by males. Women didn’t have the ability to own their own land, keep their own earnings and be part of political movements (WNHM, 2007). Education was not an interest to many American women living in the 1800’s, women’s duties included house cleaning, caring for children and cooking. These same stereotypes and norms today fit with women yet women are becoming more independent and successful than men. Today, in the United States we can see an ever changing movement for more women’s rights and opportunities. Traditional stereotypes are fading away as American women strive for equal rights. In 1848, delegates adopted a “Declaration of Sentiments,” which called for equal women’s rights when it comes to education, treatment under the law and to vote (WNHM, 2007). During the 20th century women’s rights organizations, American Woman Suffrage Association (AWSA) and National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) planned to strive for equal gender rights. Eventually women did earn the right to vote under the 19th amendment and later in 1972 the Equal Rights Amendment was passed by congress and adopted into the constitution. The Equal Rights Amendment aimed and providing equal opportunities to all regardless of sex. Despite a strong support for equal gender rights, colored women faced discrimination and racism. During World War II men were forced to step onto the battlefield leaving women to perform “men’s work”. African American woman during World War II were much more oppressed than white women
(Burgess, 1994). White women during this time period lacked the knowledge to perform such duties. It was seen as unlawful for an African American women to not work outside of the home (Burgess, 1994) Today, more women and men are swaying away and violating traditional gender norms despite what society thinks (Harrison and Lynch, 2005). In the 21st century women are stepping out of their comfort zone and striving for more equal opportunities. Both white and color women are working together to end the stereotypes of women being second to men.
Sweden
Sweden has a greater focus around gender equality than the United States and Afghanistan. Sweden’s main goal is to focus on providing equal opportunities for both males and females (Sweden Institute, 2015). Sweden believes that there should be an equal distribution between each gender when it comes to economics, politics, education, and health. The “Discrimination Act” (Sweden Institute, 2015) helps prevent males and females from being discriminated based on their biological sex, transgender identity, ethnicity, religion and age. The Discrimination act allowed for equal rights and opportunities for all much like the United States. In Sweden’s society, there is a great effort in providing adequate, equal pay, more female public officers as well as equal opportunities which are leading concerns in Sweden (Towns, Karlsson, and Eyre, 2014). In Sweden men and women are segregating themselves from traditional gender roles, men are taking on traditional female tasks while women are taking on responsibilities of men. Swedish couples are more in favor of sharing housework such as washing dishes, vacuuming, and outdoor work (Bernhardt, Noack, Lynstad, 2008). Unlike most stereotypes in the United States, women in Sweden are more often being seen as the breadwinners of the family. Gender mainstreaming is a way to integrate males and females, so one social group is not superior to another (Sweden Institute, 2015). In order to maintain a mainstream of equal gender rights a global gender gap report is conducted to measures equality within economics, politics, education and health. In order to promote and continue keeping equal gender rights Sweden implemented 41 agencies to take charge and promote equal gender mainstreaming in integrating both male and female roles in society. Dating back to 1845, women were obtaining the rights to equal inheritance rights, in 1921, women gained the right to vote and run for office (Sweden Institute, 2015) this was around the same time women in the United States gained the right to vote. Swedish women and American women are not as oppressed and dependent on male dominance compared to Afghanistan.