Gender Roles

Nature versus Nurture is a debate that has been going on for quite some time. Indeed, it is quite evident that physical characteristics can be hereditary. Nevertheless, it is still not clear whether an individual's behavior, personality and intelligence are inherited or learnt from the environment. The nature theory of human behavior states that individuals behave according to genetic predispositions. On the other hand, the nurture theory states that people behave according to what they are taught to do by those surrounding them (Carole, 1994).

A gender role is a term referring to a set of attitudes and behaviors required from members of a particular gender (Ridley, 2004). Ridley also asserts that gender roles are typically socially constructed. Concrete behaviors of individuals are as a result of rules and values that have been enforced socially. It is important to note that cultures and societies are dynamic and do change from time to time, and so does gender roles since they are usually affected by the society. Societies influence various kinds of behaviors such as the way in which people dress, their choice of work and their personal relationships. On the other hand, individuals learn and accept roles through socialization. Socialization involves encouraging wanted behaviors and discouraging the unwanted ones. For instance, when children grow up, they are usually told what to do and what not to do through various means such as in school, through the media and in the family. In many societies, an individual can make a choice on what he/she should conform to or not conform to. Nevertheless, the individual must modify his/her behavior to conform to the standard set by the society as being acceptable.

Referring to exotic societies, gender roles could also come naturally (Carole 1994). The different gender roles originate from biological differences between males and females. For example, women seem fit and the more likely gender group to look after kids. Nevertheless, this hinders them from doing other more involving jobs. As such, men are left to do most of the demanding jobs and therefore they are expected to be tough.

According to Ridley (2004), the fact that there are different roles and rules in the categorization of gender-related societies is good. He asserts that this goes a long way in giving the members of a society their specific duties which favor their biological factors. Children learn from the society what feminine and masculine mean in their society. Gender roles are stipulated in the society and its members are supposed to conform to them. In addition, Ridley asserts that men and women use their brains differently and therefore they ca not perform the same gender roles. In conclusion, it is also imperative to note that gender roles for women and men differ in different countries. They vary in accordance with the social group that an individual belongs to or the one he/she chooses to identify with.