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-498475-67818000Gender StereotypingKey Messages:Who we are, versus who we are told to be: Human beings experience a full range of emotions. Stereotypes about “Acting Like a Man” or “Acting Like a Woman” can lead to violence and unhealthy vulnerability because they are learned stereotypical attitudes and behaviours. Often “Acting Like a Man” or “Acting Like a Woman” is doing what society thinks we should. We can free ourselves from these restrictions once we see them as unrealistic ideals. The bottom line is that stereotypes are destructive because they limit our potential! Do your thing. It’s not wrong for guys to like sports or fixing cars, or for girls to enjoy cooking or childcare. The problem is that we are told that we must perform these roles in order to fit in and be good girls and good boys. It is important for all of us to make our own decisions about what we do and how we do it.A Stereotype Is…A stereotype rigidly confirms the belief that if you are a girl or a boy, or a woman or a man, and that you must perform specific roles - and do them well! This belief takes away our personal choices in determining our own hobbies and what we think is cool. It also discourages men from participating in “women's work” (such as cleaning and child care) and it restricts women from choosing roles that are traditionally “male” (such as engineering and science). A gender stereotype also assumes that there are only two ways to act (manly or womanly), when in reality there is a whole range in between and some altogether different and wonderful!The Negative Effects of StereotypesThe concepts of “acting like a man” or being “womanly” do not only relate to attitude. There are also physical expectations connected with these stereotypes, many of which are unrealistic. When we unconsciously try to live up to the standards of these stereotypes, we can do physical and emotional harm to ourselves. Often, we don’t notice this because we tend to mould ourselves to fit these stereotypes. This can be damaging. A boy with a very slight build who wants to be muscular is fighting against himself if he tries to change his physique to match that of the stereotypical male. This can lead to physical and emotional harm because of stereotypes. A girl who is smart and opinionated may be told to be quiet or speak less because it is not womanly. She may then focus on her looks as a way to conform to what images in magazines say she should look like. This is emotional harm caused by gender stereotypes. Stereotypes are damaging because they limit a person’s potential. Stereotypes can also limit how we express ourselves. For example, gender stereotypes about girls say that they should look feminine, have long hair, shave their legs, wear feminine clothes, etc. This can limit how girls and women choose to express their gender. Believing in stereotypes can influence the way we act. This may lead to taking actions, which result in negative behaviours, even if it is not our desired choice. Stereotypes have the potential to lead to violence when someone wants to “correct” a stereotype that is being broken, or when people feel that they have to live up to certain expectations. For example is someone yells mean things at a girl or woman because she has short hair, chooses not to wear make up, and is wearing pants and work boots. Sometimes, the images of people in magazines, in movies, and on TV, portray men and women in very similar ways. These images also affect how we see ourselves. Gender stereotypes portray unrealistic, contradictory, and limiting ways to be a woman, a man, a girl, a boy, etc. These stereotypes are also physical: they show a perfect face, the perfect body, the ideal build; images that are considered totally cool. These images tend to influence the way individuals feel about themselves. This can lead to a loss of self-esteem, because instead of valuing the self and appreciating individual characteristics, the value is placed on wanting to appear or act like someone else. What Does this Have to Do with Violence? Disliking one’s self can become a subtle form of violence, as actions and beliefs become negative reinforcements and perpetuate the idea of not being good enough, pretty enough, thin enough, etc. Expectations are created that others should also fit into these stereotypes, and we try to fit our friends into these boxes. This can cause lots of problems in relationships. ................
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