An Analysis of Gender Roles and Social Learning in Society Essay

This essay delves into the complexities of gender roles and social learning within society. It begins by defining gender and exploring how social learning influences our understanding of it, referencing Parson's theory to explain sex roles and their impact. The essay examines gender inequality, social norms, and the roles of men and women, highlighting gender discrimination and the importance of equal treatment. It further explores the social role theory of sex differences, the impact of culture, and the evolution of gender roles in contemporary society, including the influence of feminism and the concept of equal wages. The conclusion emphasizes the need for equality and the positive impact of treating men and women equally, summarizing the key points and suggesting a future of reduced gender inequality.

Gender

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................1
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................2

INTRODUCTION
Every society consists of some beliefs and value which has to be followed by individuals.
The sociology and perception of society depends on role of men and women. It helps in
providing brief description about what are the phases of life. This essay will describe how social
learning helps in understanding gender. This topic is chosen as there are inequalities within
society. For this Parson theory is used.
MAIN BODY
Gender refers to either of two sexes typically masculine and feminine. In social learning we
learn about how to become a member of any group. This is done when individual is born and
how they belong to new groups (Hellinger and Motschenbacher, 2015). Moreover,
differentiating gender is useful in analysing how it matters within a society. The theory related to
gender is explained as below:-
Parson stated that there are certain universal social prerequisites of normal personality and
basis of sex roles. Thus, it can be divided into groups and it cannot be controlled. The basis for
sex role difference is biology.
It can be learnt that how a girl and boy are treated. Also, on basis of gender features and
characteristics of individual can be identified. This enables in evaluating psychology of men or
women within society. It is necessary to learn that in society male and female are having
different roles. This is because they are born for that purpose. Furthermore, it describes
perception regarding society on gender. Usually, it is observed that in society men are more
dominated than women. Moreover, norms differ in when roles are distributed. There are various
elements on basis of which gender identity is identified. They are culture, beliefs, values, etc.
furthermore, socio culture also depicts behaviour of men. Also, many times it reflects on needs
of society and then roles are distributed. In addition it gender discrimination it can be easily
evaluated that why men contribute more in social development.
Social learning helps in understanding about how society value men and women. Also, it
can be analyzed what social ethics and values reflects role of gender within society. Socialisation
is referred transforming behaviour, norms, etc. to group members (Lindsey, 2015). Gender is
developed on basis of biological sex. It determines difference into domains that are completely
different. Social learning shows thinking of people towards male and female. Society tends to
think gender as result of nurture. But there is difference between nature and nurture.
1

In past the roles of men and women were different. Men were responsible for livelihood of
family and women were allowed to work as housewife. Usually, men roles were tough as they
have to work to earn money. But in contemporary society roles are changed. Now, men and
women are considered equal. Anyone can work and manage family.
Basically sex is based on anatomical and chromosomal features. Usually, understanding
gender is based on science, but in society role and behaviour define it. Along with it, role of
feminism can be understood in social world by finding out their contribution. The main concept
behind this is to analyze difference men and women roles within society. Since childhood it is
easy to get observe role of gender. This is useful in development of behaviour. The difference
can be shown to them. Gender inequality can be determined and diversity in quality of life in
men and female is identified. An individual needs to know about group of members and their
roles. It gives insight about behaviour and perspective.
In this the theory that can is related to it is explained below :-
The social role theory of sex different by Eagly state that difference in behaviour is arise
due to sex difference (Social role theory, 2016). Also, there are several difference and similarity
in roles of men and women within society. This occurs due to distribution of roles. However,
behaviour and role in men and women support in division of labour. It has been analyzed that
women are referred as homemaker and men are job holder (Lips, 2017). Thus, it reflects
discrimination among them. With this it is easy to identify how sex difference occurs.
Gender is the most prominent is society as it functions of men and women. In many
culture there are some laws and identities on basis of which gender can be understood. The
division of labour creates gender roles that lead to social behaviour.
An example can be taken of a society where men are allowed to do job and women role is of
housewife. Also, in some culture women are not allowed to go outside. So, it reflects gender
discrimination (Brannon, 2016). Beside it, in jobs as well men are paid more than women. Here,
social norms are ignored as there is no equal discrimination of income.
Equal wages act- it is a law which state that both men and women must be paid equal wages for
the same work. So, it enforces companies to pay equal wages.
CONCLUSION
It can be summarised that society needs to treat men and women equally. The discrimination
reflects social status of society and quality of life. Also, the difference between behaviour of men
2

and women is due to distribution of roles within society. In future there will be no gender
inequality in society. This will led to equal role between men and women. However, women will
be treated equal to men. It will improve quality of life of women. Moreover, social status of
women living in some area will enhance.
3

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Brannon, L., 2016. Gender: psychological perspectives. Routledge.
Hellinger, M. and Motschenbacher, H. eds., 2015. Gender across languages (Vol. 4). John
Benjamins Publishing Company.
Lindsey, L.L., 2015. Gender roles: A sociological perspective. Routledge.
Lips, H.M., 2017. Sex and gender: An introduction. Waveland Press.
Online
Social role theory, 2016. [online] Available through :
<https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9781118663219.wbegss183>
4