Essay On Gender Roles In America

America is a hotspot for diversity. People from all over the world migrate to the states due to economic opportunities, more recognized freedoms and liberties, educational programs, occupational training, and many more. Even though the principles that the United States were founded on value freedom of expression and equal opportunities to all, there are systems of power that are deeply entrenched in the country’s foundation. Things such as racism and homophobia have plagued society but been appropriated in educational spaces, workplaces, media and popular culture. Sexism and discrimination based on gender can be seen on different platforms extending from simple catcalling on the street to provocative target advertising and reach as far as unfair discrepancies in pay. Nonetheless, the experiences of women in America are very different from the happy, dainty narratives that are seen through a masculine gaze.

There have been many ‘waves’ of change that can been seen through American history. One of the movements that has fought long and hard for validation is the feminist movement. Starting in the early 1960s, women fought for jobs that were seen as strictly for men such as doctors, lawyers, and important roles in society. Education was another asset that was prioritized fir men. In fact, women were only granted the right to vote forty years prior in a country that had already been in existence for more than one hundred twenty years. The fight has move far beyond simply jobs and being included in the classroom. “There has been a retreat from marriage: increasing numbers of adults disrupt, delay, or avoid formal ties, either entering cohabiting relationships or living outside a partnership. Further, childbearing and childrearing have become increasingly separated from marriage, with great increases in the numbers of children born nonmaritally, either in cohabitation or to single mothers. These changes have occurred in conjunction with the rise in female labor force participation” (Bernhardt). Females have gained groundbreaking advantages economically that aide in social independence resulting in less marriages. Because females have been marginalized by men, there is a lack of data that will show an opposing trend, countering Bernhardt’s data and analysis.
Gender roles have also sparked many debates and public discussion in the political world.

As LGBT activists acquire more public attention and support by way of social media and cinema, such as the Oscar winning film Moonlight, and celebrity endorsements from popular stars like Ellen and Neil Patrick Harris, the norms of what can and cannot be feminine or masculine have been questioned. Cooperation have also played a role in sending positive messages regarding the public issues. Target is a proud supporter of the LGBT community and much of their products are marketed as androgynous as opposed to further imposing gender norms with particular items of clothing and toys. This is only a small step towards a bigger goal. Political and academic language is already inherently gendered. A group of women can be addressed as ‘you guys’ so effortlessly and no one will stop to think, “Wait a minute, they’re not guys.” Any attempt to implement policies without first beginning from a decentralized epistemology re-entrenches patriarchal principles and crushes any movement for

change.
Gender-oriented focus is key to break down systems of domination that result from the dichotomy between the inherently self-entitled superior male and submissive female entities. Without uniquely gender focus, change gets coopted by other movements and loses its power.