Gender Stereotypes In David Gilmore's Manhood In The Making?

Gender theorists argue that gender is a social construct not a biological or genetic characteristics. There has been no agreed universal way to be a man or a woman. Scientists have argued that our ways of defining gender is shaped by social cues and influences. Gender is a label in society that also decides the behaviors about what it means to be either a male or female, and is often regarded in terms of masculine or feminine, respectively. David Gilmore, the author of “Manhood in the Making” (1991), sees internalized gender ideologies as collective representations that pressure men and women into acting in certain ways. These pressures are always present in society; however, they differ in the amount of intensity there is in the differences

Often time men are viewed as strong, dominant, smart, brave, and ambitious. Women are often viewed as passive, weak, nurturing, soft, and meek. In society, the fact that men possess more of the more valuable traits is why in many cultures they are idealized, worshipped, and/or praised the way they are. Studies suggest that gender stereotypes tended to be higher in regions that were highly conservative, had Christian affiliations, and a small percentage of women in Universities. Counties with a high level of masculinity were China, Austria, and Italy. The following countries have a low margin between male and female roles and a low level of masculinity: The Americas, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway,

Sweden, Denmark, and Finland are known for their pushing for gender equality throughout their society. During the Viking Age, women had a somewhat free status in Sweden, Denmark and Norway. Once a woman reached the age of 20, she was a person in the eyes of the law. If an unmarried woman had no male relatives, she could inherit the position as head of the family. A married woman could divorce and remarry. It was acceptable for a woman to live with a man, and have children with him without being married. Scandinavia’s gender roles changed once Christianity was spread because the bible was used as the law. Woman were once again stripped of any rights and were always under the control of