Crush Gender Roles
From the moment we are born, we are shaped to be certain people depending on which biological gender we are. Girls are made to wear pink, play with dolls, and be princesses and similarly, boys wear blue, are given cars and planes to play with, and told to be soldiers or princes. This age old separation of the genders is what so deeply affects young people in today’s society.
Why are we separate based solely on our body parts? Aren’t we all human? If we are all born equal, then why are girls told that boys are stronger? Why are boys told that they aren’t allowed to like fashion? Although we are told by our parents to be ourselves and not listen to society, there are some common words and phrases that will keep these stereotypes alive despite good intentions. For example: have you ever heard- ‘You’re crying like a girl!’ why, are boys not allowed to express emotion? Or how about: ‘You lost to a girl!’ why, are girls not allowed to be skilled? How about the infamous: ‘Be a man.’ The trending theme in these statements are all that women are weaker and less capable, and that men are stronger and more capable.
Why do we strap personality traits on gender? Why is being emotional linked to being female? Shouldn’t we all be allowed to express emotions regardless of our appearance as a male or female? At the end of the day, it must not be forgotten that we are all born with equal rights and minds.
Having said this, despite our rights for spiritual equality, in some cases, physical separation may be required. Clodagh O’ Neill says: “There should continue to be some gender separation as at the end of the day, biologically we are different and the world wouldn’t work without them- for example, Olympic gender categories.” What Clodagh says is understandable, and Annabel Alder develops the point by adding: “However it is important not to overdevelop them so we don’t create personality- crushing boxes to try and fit ourselves in.”
Often Sexism is related to unfairness towards women- and although this may be largely the case, it cannot be overlooked that many young boys are trapped inside their bodies too afraid to speak their feelings and be accepted for who they are because they are pressured to be strong and not need such support. Furthermore, nowadays, being a ‘tomboy’ is quite common for girls- however, for a boy to openly like Barbie or anything similar is very rare if not non- existent.
The point I wished to portray in this article? I wanted to say that everyone, biologically male or female, has the freedom to feel, dress, and act however they believe will make them happiest. Fortunately, society is becoming slowly more accepting to different sexualities, as well as the new concept of gender- fluid. I believe these are provide positivity to an otherwise majorly negative image that media possesses.
By Aadya Tripathi, Newstead Wood School for Girls
