Gender roles is one of a taboo subject which is nowadays being popularized mainly by feminist movement. Gender refers to an individual's "psychological type". It is acquired through experience. An individual can be viewed as either masculine or feminine. Gender role refers to the attitudes and behaviors that class a person's stereotypical identity, e.g. women cook and clean, men fix cars. As it was a topic of our last English class we were asked a question what’s ours polish high school students opinion.
Firstly we were told what “gender roles” actually refer to by reading three explanations of that term. After dividing in groups we were given a copies of Talcott Parson’s view of gender roles which presents two models (A and B) of extreme positions on gender roles. Model A expressed total role segregation when B showed us total integration of roles. We discussed about five examples where those might appear: education, profession, housework, decision making and child care and education. We had to answer which model is most likely to appear in our homes.
- We strongly agreed education is currently getting very close to model B, so total integration of roles. There are co-educative schools, same content of classes for girls and boys but not yet same qualification for men and women.
- Profession is a controversial matter as it was what we thought of when hearing gender roles. We agreed that for women career is just as important as for men but there are still professions identified with one sex e.g. miner is a typical mans job and secretary is typical for woman.
- When it comes to housekeeping and child care it was obvious it’s still women’s duty. Only one of us were raised in a family who shared housework.
- Decision making is in most cases more similar to model A. In case of conflict man has the last say. But one additional thing we mentioned was discussions which lead to a compromise.
- Last point we again agreed taking care of children is still dominated by women.
Some additional examples we had to give were:
- Women are more often possible to get the child and high alimony at the court even if they act irresponsibly. What would we prefer is men and women having equal rights at the court.
- Women are offered to get lower salary than men on the same position.
- Women are seen as irresponsible when comes to spending money. Paying with obligation belongs to men, they keep credit cards and money.
After a little break we were given a pieces of paper with the problems we had to solve out. Opinions were different but main point was similar. We agreed on most of the problems but ours solution was unlike. E.g.
- “The last manager of the warehousing section of the company left because of all the sexist language, topless calendars etc. The best qualified candidate to replace her is also a woman”
One group decided the boss should ban discrimination in other case woman is obligated to inform the police and go to court. Another group said its best to hire a woman because she’s the best candidate and may not necessarily be offended by that.
- “The best applicant for a job is a man, but you feel like you need to boost the number of female executives in your company”
Both groups agreed it’s best to accept a man as he’s the best applicant. In this case it’s not discriminating.
At the end of lesson we came down to one view. Gender roles still exist and as we hope with a passing time they will be gone. We left the class with an optimistic look on the future.
lexineedsoxygen