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CRITICALLY EXAMINE THE IMPACT OF GENDER EXPECTATIONS ON THE SPECIFIC ROLES INDIVIDUALS ADOPT WITHIN GROUPSGender expectations are the maleness and femaleness that individuals are expected to adhere to. These expectations impact the specific roles that individuals adopt within groups although there is no logistical reasoning as to why they must follow these expectations. These expectations are formed by the stereotyping and generalisations placed on genders from society and have become the norms of gender behaviour. Gender expectations are placed onto people from the time they’re born and it is extremely difficult to remove these expectations or going against them without scrutiny from others. A clear example of gender expectations is seen amongst the youngest age group, pre-schoolers. From the time a child walks in the door they have gender expectations enforced on them by other children and staff. Commonly, girls would be wearing “girl coloured” clothing, that is, pinks and purples perhaps with endearing animal prints such as kittens as well as cute hairstyles and accessories. When boys enter however it is assumed they will be wearing darker colours such as blues and greens with “boy prints” like a dinosaurs or trucks. These superficial gender expectations continue throughout the daily routine, girls are expected to colour-in whilst boys play in the sand, girls should have pink lunchboxes whilst boys have blue, girls squeal whilst boys tease and so on. When these habits are followed a child usually settles in a lot easier and quicker as they do not become a victim of judgement and exclusion. Although, these expectations can be damaging to a child who does not want to conform to these expectations due to their personal interests, and as a result is bullied without rational reasoning. It is not only other children that would tease and make fun of a child who is going against their gender expectations but other children’s parents making judgements of “bad parenting” for a parent not following society’s norms. As an individual develops into an adult gender expectations continue, although these may not be regarding their dress choices they still heavily influence a person’s role they adopt within groups and within wider society. Personal factors can be profoundly impacted by gender expectations. For example, the young pre-schooler who continues to go against their gender expectations throughout their childhood may have a lowered self-confidence, self-esteem and sense of belonging as an adult. A man with “female” interests such as fashion may discard his ambitions of working in the fashion industry for fears and self-doubt that he is not of equal value to other men in jobs that are dubbed to be more “masculine” based on physical labour required. It is the past experience of being bullied as a non-conformist in his childhood that has had a significant impact on his wellbeing and livelihood. When examining this situation it becomes clear that there isn’t sound justification as to why gender expectations exist or as to why they have been given such importance in society but nonetheless they do have a substantial impact on the roles individuals take on.In a family group, women are often depicted to be task-oriented, socio emotional, nurturing role takers whereas men are more risk-taking and task-oriented with discipline. Women are expected to do the housework whilst men are the family breadwinners. Often without discussion or consideration these roles are adopted due to the deep-seated expectations of society. Gender expectations in the home also imply a lack of equality. By assuming that a woman should be the carer of the family it suggests that she is not of adequate ability to be in the workforce and that a man does not have the skills to child rear. Many families strive to share the labour and discipline roles as to eradicate gender expectations.Overall, gender expectations within groups are enforced by society’s beliefs of what is normal and suitable for each sex’s behaviour. Being a non-conformist to these expectations can have a negative reaction from society which in turn can destructively effect one’s personal factors specifically sense of belonging, self-esteem and self-confidence. These expectations are often not addressed and have no credible depth to them yet are given considerable importance. Morally, gender expectations should not influence the role a person wishes to adopt in a group and slowly these expectations are being removed, but it is not an easy concept to remove from a society that is populated with individuals non-susceptible to change. ................
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