Traditional male role
To what extend how the traditional male role changed in the last 20 years?
The traditional gender roles which were well defined have changed in the last twenty years as a result of social changes that have continued to occur in the society. The society significantly dictates the role of men and women through a process of gender socialization, which constructs people’s attitude and behaviors. Traditionally, males were socialized to become instrumental while women were meant to be expressive which meant that men were at an advantage to economic opportunities and being independent unlike women who remained dependent and submissive. Therefore, the males had a feeling of prestige and power unlike women who were confined at homes. However, women felt a need to become independent and struggled for equality through education, taking career paths and having their own earnings. This saw competition with men in their professions and social roles. The male and females have been socialized to engage in variant roles where, women were traditionally assigned with the domestic sphere while men with the public sphere for the society to be functional, viable and for marital stability. The society had stereotyped men with important traits that dictated the roles they engaged in. Men had been confined in the public sphere which gained them traits such as being rational, independent, dominant and aggressive. However, women have invaded these roles and have sought financial independence. This is due to economic hardships and social changes such as individualism.
Men and women have been assigned to undertake particular roles especially in the family setup, which has continued to affect its stability. The shift in gender roles is attributed to parenting manner, education, technological advancement, socioeconomic changes, which has exposed the females to greater opportunities than they had in the past. This has resulted into a crisis and a sense of alienation where men and women have not clearly understood their new roles but have opted to work together so as to reinvent themselves. The initial task of males of being a breadwinner has proven obsolete with the rise of women in the labor force leaving males in a condition of anarchy, becoming individualistic and continues to feel frustrated. Men who are for status quo have been confronted with a challenging task of conforming to these changes that are apparent in today’s world. The role changes have been faced with controversies where the society is a bit reluctant in embracing these changes which causes straining relationships and eventually lead to high divorce rates. Additionally, males have continued to invade the domestic sphere in that they have become responsible in handling home chores since after divorce, some are forced to participate solely in upbringing the children, cooking and household chores. As a result, they have been unable to comfortably strike a balance in handling duties at the workplace.
In conclusion, gender roles have shifted at homes and in the workplace. The traditional male role is being challenged where women have indicated a level of responsibility by actively participating in being breadwinners and opting for lone parenthood. In the past, men were assigned the role of earning the family income but this has changed today, since women have actively engaged in employment opportunities. This has accelerated the divorce rates since women have little time with their family which affects marital relations. If the traditional male role of being the breadwinner in the family would persist, there would be less cases of divorce in the society.
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