Does the perpetuation of the traditional gender roles hamper development of gender equality (marriages, men)

[augiedogie]

Western society is a long way from gender equality. Men are still expected to have a good job to be desirable. Men are still expected to pursue by most women, and pay for most of the dates. In the vast majority of cases, mothers still get the kids in a divorce. Its still socially acceptable for a woman to say home and let the husband support the family, but if the roles are reversed, he's a dead beat. Like I said, we're a loooong way from gender equality, and a lot of men have figured out that the game is rigged against them, so they are opting out of marriage.

[Checkered24]

Originally Posted by R. Crusoe

The traditional male role as “Bread Earner” and the female role as “Stay-home Housewife” which was glorified in the 40s and 50s seem a bit inadequate in the year 2013 IMO, and yet many would choose to conform to this outdated social perception and feel content to play the part gladly. Mind you, I’m not suggestion a role reverse in which men would become stay-home husbands and women bread earners, far from it. However, in the era which many women are fighting for gender equality in work place, etc., would it be socially acceptable if men and women become truly equal partners in everyway contributing equally within the context of personal relationships? I’m just curious.

Both male and female perspectives are welcomed

The trend of families/parents sticking to traditional gender roles has been deteriorating for decades.

That said, I think individual men and women should do what is best for themselves in their own relationships and not make decisions based on what someone else perceives as the right way for "society" in general.

[Dewdroplet76]

Originally Posted by irish_bob

a minority of incredibly shrill , aggressive , ambitious and well connected ( to the media ) women have sacred the majority of women into viewing home making as a lesser choice

its a wonderfull choice

It's not just women. Read some of the posts by men on this site and you'll see that they look down on SAHM's as well. Honestly, I don't see it as much in real life - but I live in an area where there are a lot of SAHM's - and some SAHD's as well.

[fleetiebelle]

Originally Posted by irish_bob

a minority of incredibly shrill , aggressive , ambitious and well connected ( to the media ) women have sacred the majority of women into viewing home making as a lesser choice

its a wonderfull choice

The operative word there is choice. If a woman wants to be a SAHM and it's the right decision for her and her family, no one in the media would be able to scare her into making another choice. For many other women, it's not a wonderful choice and they can do what they want, as well.

[roskybosky]

Older women experienced the despair and defeated attitude of their mothers in the fifties. We saw how they were boxed in by gender roles and couldn't escape; the system was too ingrained in everyone. Housewives were considered dumb. So perfectly brilliant women were reduced to polishing floors and trying to see themselves in their dishes. It became a knee-jerk reaction of the women's movement to avoid housewifery like the plague.

However, things have loosened up enough to where if you are a SAHM, everyone knows it's a choice and you aren't trapped.

I think women still look for a man who makes good money because she knows she may want that support in the event that children come along. The main difference between men and women is- women can have babies and men can't. This changes everything in male female relationships.

[Doomed_Shroom12]

Originally Posted by mainebrokerman

i think the stereotypes are blown all to hell, because since the 70's, most women have expected not just a job, but a carreer

because women give birth, and most are natural nesters and nurterers, they tend to be much more detail oriented, and understand what a "home" is (more so a loving and clean home)
guys have a wide range, while some are control freaks,,, most can be slobs, so the woman would rather do alot of the laundry and cleaning themselves (i know exceptions exist)

say you have family, or friends over, the place is a mess,,,,who gets blamed for that?? will they(the guests) talk about the husband? no, most lays on the woman of the house
if thats a stereotype, then i do think this remains true..
but no woman is destined to be a housewife like they use to be,,

If my guests or even MIL has a beef with my husband's mess they are MORE than welcome to grab the chem caddy, broom and dustpan and get to work. I can probably keep them occupied for hours more once they are done with that...

[BigCityDreamer]

No, it does not. .. Because even if a woman is ambitious in her career, she will eventually have to stay home or drastically cut back her work hours to spend more time with her children in the early years after they're born. Raising a child properly is a full-time job.

That's how it works in the vast majority of cases.

[Mikala43]

The point to equality is having choices. The world is a big place, and there is a lot of room to let everyone have the type of life that works for them.

[Ascension2012]

Having choices is great. Deciding not to participate in mockery of marriage for example, due to incredibly biased and draconian laws slanted against men, is a pretty smart choice.

[11thHour]

There should be no such thing as gender roles; the concept is no longer valid. Live life as you see fit, rather than trying to fulfill an expectation. It's your life.