Gender Roles in American Society

Gender Roles in American SocietyStudent Name
Institute

Abstract
The issue of gender roles and expectations has long been a contentious factor within different sectors of the society. These comprise such areas as job attainment, learning prowess, labor wages and working conditions, pension and annuity. Gender roles have led to the existence of prejudice against men or women depending on the context which in turn leads to the occurrence of individual as well as institutional discrimination. In this regard, it is essential to critique the major sectors which are affected by gender, to ascertain why the same is happening and to determine any solutions that can be brought forward to remedy the issue of gender discrimination stemming from gender roles. To this end, it is also paramount to ascertain the actions that have already been taken towards the solving of the matter by individuals and institutions alike. All this is essential for the attainment of a gender bias-free world.
Gender Roles in American SocietyIntroduction
Traditional gender roles have defined the society. In this regard, they are usually based on the fundamental idea that men and women have specific obligations which should be upheld and should not be ignored. To this end, the gender roles are predominately based on such notions as men are supposed to be masculine, and to be providers, while those of women are that they are meant to be caregivers and feminine (Young 2007). This being said any gender that attempts to undertake an activity that may be viewed as being in contrast to these notions, results to the discrimination against the concerned party.

It is important also, to note that the world has for a long time been, and primarily still is a patriarchal community. This, has in the past, become the fundamental spark that ignited the debate concerning gender roles, and the consequent prejudice and discrimination that follows. However, in recent times, there is evidence of discrimination against men as well, as there have emerged scenarios where traditional gender roles have resulted in increased prejudice against men. Gender plays a significant role in the formulation of prejudice against sex, dependent on the context, which in turn leads to gender discrimination on the individual as well as institutional level.
Gender role in Annuity and/or Pension
Every worker within an organization comprises an inherent right to receive an annuity and pension upon their retirement. This is traditionally dependent on their working prowess, the number of years dedicated to the company or organization and the level at which said the worker was working at. However, according to studies conducted across various large organizations, it is evident that men have been considerably favored with regard to the receiving of a pension and/or annuity. A large portion of these investigations has been conducted by the Employee Benefit Research Institute, which comprises an impartial investigation division. Studies highlighted that about 44% of men ranging ages 50 years and above, obtain wages with a mean of about $17000 annually (Gender Plays Strong Role in Receiving Annuity, Pension Income – ProQuest 2008). This is substantially higher than that of women of above 50 years which constituted about $11000. Though this may constitute evidence of bias against women, it is also important to consider that women above 50 years have spent lesser time on the labor force as compared to their male counterparts. Owing to this, it is possible that it comprised the rationale used in the dispensing of their reduced pension and/or annuity.
It is, however, noteworthy that among the younger female workers within the economic environment currently, there is a higher expectation for pension and/or annuity upon their retirement. This is partially owing to two reasons; the enlightenment of modern day corporations as well as the increased number of women in the corporate sector. Women in recent times are participating more in the labor force, which in turn has resulted to the enhanced probability of receiving the same or similar pensions as their male counterparts. In this respect, the gap between men and women, with regard to the receiving of annuity is expected to fall and equalize. In regard to the level of education, the higher the education status attained by the individual, the higher the level achieved within the corporate world and in turn, the higher the compensation received on pension and annuity. This, is evidently not affected, significantly by the gender of the individual.
Gender Roles in Hiring
The existence of different gender roles between men and women has resulted in prejudice created within the society. The obligation or expectation of masculine as well as feminine behavior factors largely into this perception of the society. In this regard, it has created significant institutional gender bias. This manifests where there are jobs or employment opportunities which have societally perceived gender-specific roles, which may lean towards the male or female. As such, where a job requires a predominately masculine gender, the hiring of women for the same is usually difficult as there exists institutional discrimination for the same. The opposite is also true, in the case of feminine jobs and the discrimination against men during hiring. This can be evidenced by the case study of Celio Diaz Jr. who attempted to attain a job in Pan Am as a stewardess (Johnson, & Garcia 2007). He was rejected the first time and considered it as a result of the high number of prospective employees who applied. However, on a subsequent application, he was also denied the chance after which he brought the airline to court. The evidence of this is a considerable proponent for the fact that gender roles define our understanding of the world, and by extension, of our work environment. A fact, which ought not to be the case.
As evidence towards the contrary opinion, some occupations have perceived masculine job descriptions. In this regard, a case study involving a man who was substantially effeminate was fired from an oil rig due to this reason. The company cited that the subject’s effeminate nature was not congruent with the masculine required for the oil rig business. In this regard, the Corporation also cited that that being effeminate in such a patriarchal community would result in the alienation of the person which results in the less optimal working environment. However, this ought not to be the case as it stands as a testament towards the presence and the extent to which gender roles influence institutions.
Gender Roles in Adoption and Unwed Fathers
In regard to various states within the U.S, there is a prerequisite for unwed fathers to list their names with the putative father registry to offer any restriction towards putting the baby up for adoption by the mother. Though this may seem a legitimate legal requirement, nature by which it is exercised and the extent to which public education is done towards it lead to the conclusion that it is construed on the basis of gender roles, among other incentives. Gender roles evident within the institution of adoption is predominately concerned with the fact that women are the primary caregiver, and that men are the secondary caregivers to the child. As such, the law provides women with significant power over the adoption of the child, especially in the case where the parents are unwed. To this end, the fact that men have to be registered with the putative father registry and women are not is a testament towards the existence of gender roles, and by extension institutional gender discrimination within the adoption system.
Adoption agencies are also using the inherent existence of gender roles and bias within the adoption system, to streamline and fast track the process of adoption. This is considerably evidenced by the fact that the putative father registry is a well-kept secret. When considering the case study involving Mr. Jeremiah Clayton, an unmarried father in Florida, the existence of this registry is not common knowledge to the public. It is also considerable that even some attorneys are not aware of said registry. The number of persons who have participated in the registry is also a testament to the nature of the well-kept condition of the registry. As of 2004, there were only 47 registered men within the putative father registry of the above 89, 000 men who were out of wedlock in Florida (Tamar, 2006). It is also important to consider the fact that the putative father registry can only be registered during a specific window of time, in some cases when the baby is between 0 and 30 days after being born. The existence of this constraint on time also shows the extent to which the law is biased towards men, as, in the scenario that one is not registered, he will effectively have no right or say with regard to whether the baby is put up for adoption or not.
Gender Roles with Regard to Science and Higher Learning
For the longest time, the predominate gender associated with science has been male. To this end, scientifically oriented institutions such as research institutions and biomedical corporations have exhibited institutional gender bias against women as opposed to men. Women who have fallen victim to this nature of discrimination have often cited that such companies want employees who work all round and yearly. In this respect, company officials view women as an organizational weakness especially during the phase of pregnancy. However, in recent times, this has taken a considerable change, as more and more women are enrolling in institutions of higher learning, and more so pursuing bachelor’s and master’s degrees. This has particularly been the case with private institutions and with community colleges. The percentage of women who are completing undergraduate courses has taken a considerable rise as compared to male counterparts at 57% to 43% of populations in private and community colleges respectively (Cohen, 2006). This is particularly evident in low-income and minority groups, for which, the lack of or absence of adequate funding is a large proponent.
Conclusion
Gender roles have defined the last generations greatly, a fact which has bled through all aspects of life. Centuries prior to the 21st, are congruent with the heavy emphasis on gender roles and that men ought to undertake work as women cared for the family institution. In this regard, the level of bias against women with respect to various elements such as education, employment, and general social status was substantially high. The information age has however provided enlightenment to a large part of the globe, which has consequently resulted in positive steps towards the equalization of the gap that existed previously. This can be exhibited by the alteration of various company policies to reflect this balance better. Citigroup Inc is one of the flagship companies to include elements of non-discrimination with respect to gender as well as sexual orientation (Joyce 2004). This is a significant step towards the all-inclusiveness of business organizations, especially in today’s highly competitive market, where unemployment rates are constantly on the rise.
References
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