Alyssa Winn 2/8/2017 FHS 2400 Marriage and Family U2E2: Switching

Roles

Question:

To get a sense of the significance of gender roles, please respond to the following question.
Would you be a similar person if you were the other gender? Would your plans be different?
What about your activities, feelings, and goals? (If you run out of ideas to fill the page, try this.
What kind (style) of clothes would you wear if you were the other gender? Why is it acceptable
for females to act masculine, but not for males to act feminine?

Answer: Word Count: 528

Recently in my communications class we took several assessments to identify what our

gender identity is to explore how it affects our communication style. I learned that I have both

masculine and feminine characteristics, although I lean more towards a feminine identity. I do

think that the way I respond to certain stimuli is because Im influenced by my biological sex,

and the expectations of others, pressuring me choose to react in a stereotypical feminine way. In

my life right now I sometimes feel too considerate of others and for better or worse I allow it to

dictate my actions. Im more cautious of appearing bossy or bitchy when I try to take charge

of projects so I hold back or find myself questioning what I can bring to the table. In our society

the male gender has more freedom and doesnt have to apologize for being independent or acting

aggressively. If my gender role was reversed and I was male I think that I would feel more

comfortable taking charge and acting with self-interest. My judgment would be questioned less

and I would happily take on a leadership role. Switching roles would allow me greater life

chances because Id be a white male, which would increase the probability of reaching higher

status or staying in the middle class like my parents.

I still believe I would want a family but having one wouldnt be such a significant

condition of my identity. There is less pressure for males to become parents, no ticking
 clock like the one women are reminded of as they near a certain age. My purpose wouldnt

be to bear and rear children or manage a household. If I were male my goals would be more

centered on having new experiences, traveling and less around marriage and becoming a

parent. In fact, I imagine I would rebel from marriage until I was much older when stability

would be more beneficial. At this age I may want a relationship but I would rather have the

ability to say yes to anything. I think switching roles would be liberating, especially in our

modern times, because there is a presumption that males are sexual beings with demanding

needs. I could be a professional male and sexually promiscuous and it might even benefit my

career by making it easier to fit into the boys club. Whereas, there is double standard for a

woman who is upfront with her sexuality, she experiences role conflict because of the

contradictions of societys expectations.

I would be much happier to fill the role of provider. I would want a career and I have

friends and hobbies that I wouldnt have to sacrifice because that isnt expected of males. I

recognize attitudes are changing and fathers are becoming more involved but there is still the

assumption that mothers are primary caregivers. Our text states that a quarter of the

households in America are headed by a single-parent, and of that number, 87 percent are

single-mothers rather than fathers (Strong, pp 78). Based on our society if I was male I would

have more support to pursue career prestige and forgiveness for neglecting familial

responsibilities.

References:
Strong, Bryan & Cohen, Theodore F. (2014) The Marriage and Family Experience: Intimate
relationships in a changing society (12th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.