Gender & Gender Role Differences: The truth is that society in general has changed and people react to changes in different ways. The differences in gender roles will still be   influenced by people's reactions to change.

Gender & Gender Roles

Change and Reactions to Change in Gender Roles.
By Lori Anderson

First came feminism. Then came the men's movement.

The effect of these two movements is that American society has changed and relationships between men and women will never be the same.

The main result of these movements is that men and women are moving closer together and the differences between men and women are growing smaller.  

However, the  differences are not gone. There are still differences between men and women that we must examine, understand, and even appreciate to have successful relationships.

Some of these differences are deeply ingrained by the lessons of our society. Some, such as our reactions to stress, may be thrust upon us by estrogen and testosterone.

Yet many of the remaining differences between men and women result from each person's  abilities and/or desires to change with society and their adjustment to change.

I'll say it again: Some men and some women have more traditional male or female characteristics and gender roles remaining in their personalities/value systems. Most of these remain from their own personal choices and/or from their fear of or reluctance to change.

Many of the books I read about gender roles and  characteristics go to great extremes to justify  these differences in terms of cavemen and cavewomen, hunters and gatherers, or the need to increase the tribe.

These happened a long time ago. They only explain the origins of male/female characteristics and gender roles. They do not explain the rationale of  holding on to or justifying differences needed thousands of years ago.

Do you know  a middle-aged man or woman who is still blames the problems in his/her life on childhood experiences.

Maybe you feel that it is time that person grew up, put childhood behind them, and got on with it.

Or maybe you are a person who still feels the effects of your childhood.

Many people feel blaming your middle-aged life on your childhood is ridiculous. Blaming male-female differences on traits we needed thousands of years age must be as or more ridiculous.

The truth is that society in general has changed and people react to changes in different ways. 

Many factors determine our ability (or willingness) to accept change.

• Age has something to do with our ability/willingness to change.
• What we are giving up or acquiring has something to do with our ability/willingness to change.
• Circumstances (such as our partner leaving the seesaw or divorce) may foist changes upon us that we would never consider otherwise.

More information about gender and gender role differences.