self-concept are strongly influenced by parental and authority figure teachings regarding sexual stereotypes occurring in or before the early portion of middle childhood. Children who are taught that certain traits or activities are appropriate or inappropriate for them to engage because they are a girl or a boy do tend to internalize and be influenced by these teachings in later life. In “A Jury of Her Peers”, both men and women have definitely divergent gender roles as the story illustrates different occasions convenient to men and women in terms of segregation of drudgery and in humanity and society as a whole.
Minnie Wright and Martha Hale are unceasingly expounded as housekeepers.
The responsibilities of caring for a house, and a kitchen in particular, are linked only to women. Martha Hale still thinks of Minnie Wright as Minnie Foster, highlighting the identity change each woman undergoes when she marries and takes her husband’s name as her own, as socially you are defined by your husband’s identity and your own separate personality is lost. One aspect of this social subjection of women explored in the story is the loneliness that results from being stuck in the home. Men have each other’s company, but women must remain at home, alone. The media is another fountain head of social influence in shaping gender roles. It is important in communicating gender stereotypes. The media generally portrays males as independent, directive and pursuing engaging occupations and activities, while females are portrayed as dependent, unambitious and emotional. This exposes children to models of gender-appropriate behaviour. The media also provides information about likely outcomes of these behaviours, and an individual’s self-efficacy will increase if the outcomes are portrayed as
positive.