Research Paper about Gender Roles

Smartt (2006, p.17) states that “Gender roles and expectations are often identified as factors hindering the equal rights and status of women, with adverse consequences that affect life, family, and socio-economic status.” These enforced gender roles essentially influence working women, as there is an antagonistic, modern fixation on their employment, particularly in relation to the ongoing issue of disparities between both genders in hierarchical professional settings. (Bevir, 2007, p.337). The first definition generally deals with gender roles and how socially constructed expectations prevent women from achieving higher status in their academic, professional, and personal lives. The subsequent definition specifically centers around how gender roles manifest as a societal concern about women's employment. In addition, it represents their experiences in terms of wage and status gaps. Both definitions speak to the ongoing inequality motivated by sexism in the workplace. However, the problem becomes more pronounced when women work in traditionally male-dominated industries. This essay will discuss the concept of gender roles in relation to male-dominated technology and innovation fields. In the hope of addressing an issue that affects all women directly and indirectly while understanding how to deconstruct it. What men and women are expected to do in most societies is heavily influenced by gender roles. The majority of societies, despite religious and cultural differences, share these preconceived ideologies. Regardless of their prevalence and agreed-upon importance, these gender roles contribute to a host of social issues. One of these issues is the prominent disparity in the interests of developing boys and girls, in which boys are encouraged to be more interested in math and science from a young age. On the other hand, young girls are discouraged from studying STEM subjects. In some ethnic cultures where gender stereotypes are being preserved, girls are even forbidden from attending schools, earning degrees, or having their studies not taken seriously as opposed to boys, because it is believed that boys are the ones who are supposed to be the “breadwinners” who provide and support their families. These deeply embedded stereotypes propagate and channel themselves in pop-culture, educational settings, and inside homes. Consequently, young girls lose interest in science and math by the age of 15, owing to these societal gender roles, the lack of encouragement from schools and mentors to pursue STEM careers, and the lack of female representation in these occupations. (Petroff, 2017). This research supports the claim that girls slowly lose interest in mathematics and science from a very young age as a byproduct of society’s “assigned” role for each gender. The phenomenon continues to grow during the following years of development, contributing to a steady decline in the number of women in male-held positions. Men tend to dominate STEM industries as a result of all of these factors. Women who pursue jobs in these fields are met with disappointment and discouragement due to mistreatment and inequality. One of which is the well-known wage gap. The gender wage gap is the phenomenon where women get paid less than their equally skilled male counterparts working in the same jobs. Gender discrimination, as well as women being driven away from high-paying jobs and being less vocal about requesting raises, all contribute to the wage disparity. Discriminatory practices against women are not limited to male-dominated fields; they extend across all industries and even all aspects of life. However, the topic of gender inequality in the IT field speaks to me personally as someone who is studying IT and will someday pursue a career in that field. The upheld views in many cultures, including my own, about women limit their abilities and potential to achieve greater success. It sends a message to all young girls that they are not capable and have limited opportunities in this world. Which, they will eventually grow to internalize the fear of not being good enough or capable of succeeding as much as their male counterparts in future careers. The diminishment of traditional gender roles will eradicate the many social issues concerning women and women’s employment. Although society has yet to deconstruct gender norms, upcoming generations are slowly challenging them and questioning their integrity.