Direction in Gender Roles and the Effect on Cultural Development Nicholas M. Black
Abstract
This paper addresses cultural changes as a result of role identity change in the American culture and the effects of the changes. The change in women’s identity, beginning in the mid 1960’s, and the subsequent change in men’s identity affected both role identities and impacted the economy, traditional roles and the traditional family. In addressing these issues the author proposes, as an argument, what is necessary to adjust and correct for the changes in the American culture. The discussion addresses the area’s most affected and makes evident what will correct the deficiencies.
Keywords (new social-cultural model, future generations)
Author Note
Direction in Gender Roles and the Effect on Cultural Development
Introduction
Beginning in the early 1960s, the feminist movement created a new awareness in women which encouraged them to seek out better education, and rethink their traditional roles in the current culture. As a result of the movement women attained new status, recognition and made significant contributions to all sectors of industry and politics. The impact of this movement dramatically changed many cultural concepts and later, in the early 1970s, had a catastrophic effect on the economy and families (Brooks, 2009, [Abstract]). While role and identity of women changed; there was an equal and opposite effect on the role and identity of men (Riley, 2003, p. 109).
Today, women are working harder, earning more and continuing their advancement while simultaneously attempting to maintain their traditional roles. Conversely men, in general, are resistant to this change and as a result are becoming less motivated, selfless, educated and involved. Advancement of role identity away from traditional roles is an attractive, popular and seemingly fair-minded goal, however, in attaining this goal the repercussions have produce significant adverse effects on the economy, families and culture therefore a new social-cultural model is need to correct the negative effects.
Discussion
Economics in a new social-cultural model: The new social-cultural model should improve
engagement (Brown, 2001, p. C31). At the base of economics change is the family and their needs.
Young families need time and resources to meet individual goals. Whether starting a new business, working or seeking education, the need to live in a financially secure
environment while attaining goals is essential. Danziger and Ratner (2010) confirm in there study that the failure of the minimum wage to keep up with inflation is a major impediment to individual economic stability [Abstract]. If young families improve their financial status a corresponding move in economic class is also likely.
It is widely known and accepted the middle class is a major economic engine. The trend in the past 40 years has shown a significant decrease in the percent of the population in the middle class. A recent article by Loayza, Rigolini and Llorente (2012) the authors
demonstrate how increasing the percent of middle class directly improves social policy on health and education [Abstract]. As young families and others move into a higher
economic class it will be possible, through investment and innovation, to consider new forms of income. Emerging technologies have made it possible to consider home-base employment and business as alternatives to traditional work.
In considering new technologies and industries there are numerous advantages to working in home-based employment or business. According to Wheatley (2012) “…home-based teleworkers report greater levels of satisfaction than other workers, suggesting
provide resources for change however for positive sustained change other aspects of culture must also change.
Changes in a social-cultural norm: The process of cultural change, according to
Social-Cultural anthropologists happens in a distinct process; Ideas, happenings, philosophies , among a few, are introduced into an existing group (culture) and the group decides if this aspect of change is good or evil, right or wrong, destructive or constructive. Over time the group accepts or rejects the introduced aspect. Considering this, the development of a new social-cultural model should ensure positive sustainable development of future generations by promoting development of children in an atmosphere of harmony, while maintaining traditional gender roles and
deemphasizing individualism in order to promote a more collective social order wherein couples cooperate in attaining individual goals. Bring harmony and cooperation into a relationship is therefore necessary for building intact families.
There appears to be a direct relationship between intact families and child development. In a recent study Madhu and Ullah (2012) found families who are cohesive and
It is important to recognize, whether or not nature or nurture defines gender identity, men and women are different physically, socially and politically. It is these differences that give strength to the traditional role of parents. Mathur and Salmi (2006) urge men and women to preserve this balance and state:
If human dignity, individual freedom, social cohesion, and global harmony are desirable goals, they may lie beyond reach if social justice is sought only through demands, disputes, claims, and entitlements over substantive and procedural equality of rights. The pursuit of equality as a policy is better underpinned through deeper and rigorous analysis of the sources of conscious and unconscious dynamics of human behavior (of individuals and groups) (p. 92).
Mathur and Salmi (2006) believe positive changes, freedom and social cooperation cannot be achieved by legislative means and that it will take people working together to attain the desired result. Reasonably, considering a less individualistic, more collective, culture would provide a path the new social attributes.
American culture is often sociologically characterized as individualistic. This belief would support the need for individual goal seeking of both men and women however in attaining individual goals; married couples should consider a more collective cultural ideal. Alberts (2009) states “Collectivist cultures usually place a high value on conformity,
husband and wife cooperate (interdependence) in the effort to attain individual goals the synergistic relationship of the couples will certainly improve the likelihood of goal attainment. With families working cooperatively toward individual goals it would seem reasonable to apply these changes to larger groups.
The mechanism of cultural change: This section will address the benefits of interpersonal
relationships and methodology to initiate cultural change. To attain the primary goal it will be necessary to institutionalize interpersonal skills including conflict resolution, effective relationship development and multi-cultural understanding beginning in elementary level education. The result of this change will empower future generations with effective interpersonal tools.
Learning to manage conflict will reduce harmful stress and promote stable relationships in the home and work place. According to Alberts (2009) “Becoming aware of why and how people communicate the way they do, particularly in stressful situations, will help increase both sensitivity and tolerance, if not acceptance.” (p. 207). The proper tempering of children serves as a small change with long term significant benefits including appreciation of other people and their culture.
217). Managing conflict coupled with tolerance for others are important ingredients for change, however; too effectively change a culture takes a much broader adjustment.
As future generations learn effective interpersonal relationships skills as part of their primary education it would be possible to affect continuous improvements in family cohesiveness. Alberts (2009) believes that good interpersonal skills will enhance
understanding of self and encourage appropriate response to others’ behavior (p. 56). The inclusion of effective interpersonal relationships skills into the primary education system would affectively change current education principals from “Reading, Writing and Arithmetic” to Reading Reasoning and Relationships as primary social requirements.
COUNTER-ARGUMENT: If the concept is adopted women will once again be seen as only
mothers, caregivers and housewives. They will lose their independence and be economically dependent on their husbands.
RESPONSE TO COUNTER-ARGUMENT: According to Kim (1999) during the last few
Eberhard-Gran, Røysam & Tambs, (2011) This leads to maternal discourse and a host of other problems [Abstract], and therefore to a disharmonious family life. The new social model addresses this issue by suggesting home-based employment and business.
COUNTER-ARGUMENT 2: Traditional gender roles do not encourage healthy child
development, because children raised under traditional gender roles are not prepared to interact with an ever-more complex world. Children who are taught gender neutrality are better able to interact with other people from other cultures and locations, while children who are taught traditional gender roles are more likely to react inappropriately with people from other cultures, because other cultures will necessarily have non-identical gender roles. Gender neutrality therefore encourages children to appropriately interact with people from other cultures.
RESPONSE TO COUNTER-ARGUMENT 2:
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES LIST:
Alberts, J. k. (2009). Interpersonal Effectiveness: Psychology 180. Argosy University. Retrieved from <vbk:978-0-9819328-0-4
David Brooks The New York Times, Media Group "The politics of cohesion." International Herald Tribune. 2009, January 21: 9.
Brown, G. (2001). The conditions for high and stable growth and employment. Economic Journal, 111(471),
Danziger, S., & Ratner, D. (2010). Labor market outcomes and the transition to adulthood. Future of Children, 20(1), 133-158. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/742888334
Kim, A. M. (1999). Citing the rising influence and power of women, 2 anthropologists ponder the future of men. The Chronicle of Higher Education, 45(37), A17-A18. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/214737504
Loayza, N., Rigolini, J., & Llorente, G. (2012). Do middle classes bring about institutional reforms? Economics Letters, 116(3), 440. Retrieved from
Madhu, S. M., & Ullah, A. (2012). Why does growing up in an intact family during childhood lead to higher earnings during adulthood in the United States? The American Journal of Economics and Sociology, 71(3), 662. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/1024699253
Mathur, A., & Salmi, A. (2006). The politics of disharmony in management of gender Differences. Vikalpa: The Journal for Decision Makers, 31(3), 81-93.
Riley, S. E. (2003). The Management of the Traditional Male Role: a discourse analysis of the constructions and functions of provision. Journal of Gender Studies, 12(2), 99-113.
Røsand, G., B., Slinning, K., Eberhard-Gran, M., Røysamb, E., & Tambs, K. (2011). Partner relationship satisfaction and maternal emotional distress in early pregnancy. BMC Public Health, 11(1), 161-161. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-11-161
Wheatley, D. (2012). Good to be home? time-use and satisfaction levels among home-based teleworkers. New Technology, Work, and Employment, 27(3), 224-241. doi:
