Gender roles

In today's world, gender roles shape the way people live and interact with their society. From the day of their birth, people learn a certain way to behave depending on what sex they are.
People's sexes are determined by genetics but genders are determined by social effects. It is a well known fact that women tend to be nurturing and men tend to be providers. Due to the gender roles, each gender has special and strict rules that affect their whole life.
First of all, children are influenced by gender roles caused by the toys that they play with even by the age of three. Families have roles for children in society, define strict lines and push boys and girls in different directions. When boys start to play with dolls , everyone even their families chastises them. However, children do not know about femininity and masculinity, they just play. Children should pick the things that they enjoy in life based on what appeals to them most.
Secondly, TV is the most important part of the media and has a great impact on determining gender roles. Because of this, both men and women are stereotypically presented in TV programs. In TV women are shown as sensitive,gentle, non-competitive and dependent. However, men are shown as tough, competitive, ambitious, independent, self-confident and successful.
Finally, in male dominated societies women are assaulted by men. Males are the majority in society. There are many types of violence against women such as sexual, physical and emotional abuse and sexual harassment. The social and economic costs of violence against women have significant effects on society. As a result of this, women have lost their self-confidence ,and they are isolated from their society and are unable to work.
In conclusion, gender roles affect women and men in their lives. The media definitely has the most significant affect on people's attitudes toward the opposite sex.The world is developing and improving day by day. People should break down the idea that women are dependent, cannot earn money and cannot do what men do. It depends on who they are and what they want.
Deniz ÖZDOĞRU