Full
Length Research Paper
Navigating
Change: Investigating Evolving
Gender Roles and Their Impact on Social Structures
Priyanka Sangwan[*]1
and Dr Atul Kumar2
1-Research Scholar, Department of Sociology, Baba Mastnath
University, Rohtak, Haryana, India.
2 Research
Supervisor, Department of Sociology, Baba Mastnath University, Rohtak, Haryana,
India.
ARTICLE DETAILS ABSTRACT
- Introduction
In the current society,
the roles of the genders are transforming day by day so the evolving gender
role is a big fundamental matter which decides the positions of the genders in
the social structure according to their work positions. In this paper, a detailed
discussion of how the changes in gender roles impacted the structure of modern
society is conducted. Over time the roles of men and women in society have
taken the same place. All the individuals of modern society accept the thing of
equality in gender roles because of that thinking the society can lead towards
improvement.
This study executed how
the role of gender in modern society affected the various norms of families,
jobs, and politics. Realizing the transformation of society by gender roles is necessary
because the impact of gender roles in society helps to build an equal world.
Understanding the complexities of gender roles in shaping society is also
crucial for encouraging the concept of inclusivity and dismantling
gender-related stereotype thinking. This study aims to reveal the diverse complexities
in the nature of genders and their role in shaping social structures. This
study contributes to a broader discussion that encompasses the concept of
gender equality and social justice. The main aim of the paper is to discover
the multifaceted role of gender and its effect on the social structure of the
modern context. The study delved into exploring how the perception of shifting
and expectations from gender roles are motivating families, job roles, and
political fields. This study also included detailed conversations that
encompass the facts of gender equality and social justice.
1.1
Objectives of the study
·
Investigating
the effect of gender roles on social structures.
·
Discover
the perceptions of shifting the gender positions and prospects in families, job
roles, and political fields.
·
Highlighting
the difficulties of dynamics of contemporary gender concepts.
·
Encourage
inclusivity, challenge stereotypes, and lead towards gender equality.
·
Acknowledging
broader conversation over social justice.
2. Theoretical Frameworks
on Gender and Social Structure
Fig1: Theoretical Frameworks on Gender and Social Structure. Source:
Self-Developed
A dynamic theoretical
foundation is essential for inclusively understanding the multifaceted nature
of gender roles that impact social structures. Some remarkable insights into
the construction and perpetuation of gender norms are offered by Feminist
theories. As per Few-Demo et al. (2020) the several theories that are related
to the context of feminism effectually highlight the power dynamics that shape
gender relations and their influence over various social organizations.
Intersectionality theory helps to expand the understanding of the matters that
are shaping the role of genders by shedding light on the intersecting nature of
social identities, which include the terms gender, race, class, and sexuality (Ivanov 2024). The framework of Inter sectionality successfully
addresses individuals who experience gender in unique ways that depend on their
diverse intersections of identity, the framework of Inter sectionality leading
towards assorted experiences of privilege and oppression. The perspectives of social
constructionists further presented the way how the roles of gender are socially
constructed through interactions, language, and cultural practices. The queer
theory challenges settle down the gender and sexuality norms and also the
theory of queer enhancing the unique identities that are over the traditional
binary categorizations (Kirsch 2020). The significant theoretical frameworks give
views with the help of analyzing the transforming roles of gender and the impact
of gender roles on social structures. It is very important to understand the complexities
of contemporary gender dynamics and their integrations for promoting the
concept of inclusive and equitable societies with the help of analyzing the way
in which power, identity, and social processes intersect.
3. Historical Perspectives
on Gender Roles
As per Martin et al.
(2021) The historical perspectives on gender roles
have been deeply rooted in social norms and expectations. Traditional roles sometimes
encompass individuals to rigid gender binaries, dictating their roles and
behaviors on the basis of the norms that are perceived. Although the diverse historical
transformations, such as women's suffrage movements and civil rights struggles,
have brought challenges on the surface of these perceived norms. The historical
shifts efficiently made the way for a more comprehensive understanding of
gender and scopes for individuals (Pailhe et al.
2021). The way of realizing gender and individual opportunities helps
individuals to settle down their roles within structure of the society.
3.1 Evolving Gender Roles in Contemporary Society
In the current societal
structure men and women are equally treated in various sectors. Day by day the
roles of gender in working place or in a social organization are transforming
very quickly (Tabassum et al. 2021). In today's
upgraded landscape of society men and women were evaluated on the basis of
their work ability and skill not about their gender. They are equally
prioritized in this moderated society. The people who are living in this upgraded
society strictly avoid the old stereotypes thinking about gender equality and
social justice (Nayak et al. 2022 ).
In the present time, society is becoming more interested in accepting diverse
gender expressions and identities. The transformation of social ethics about
gender equality in the modern world presents new opportunities for everyone, which
helps individuals to successfully position their identity in society without
thinking of traditional expectations.
3.2 Gender,
Identity, and Socialization
The role of the Gender
of a person in society is beyond just being a man or a woman. The gender of a
person carries the identity of the person and on the basis of the identity it
tells what positioning the person should give in the society. As per McLean et al. (2020) the identity of a
person is all about how one can see their selves and how others evaluate one
person by their own perspectives. From a young age, it is taught, exactly what
it means to be a boy or a girl with the help of socialization. Socialization
significantly shapes the identity of a person and influences the behavior of a
person to interact with others. Realizing the connections between gender, identity,
and socialization helps to grasp how the changing gender roles impact the
structure of society.
3.3 Intersectionality and Diverse Gender Experiences:
The word Intersectionality
refers to the social identities of a person like gender, race, and class,
overlap or affects each other. Intersectionality is not just about the identity
of an individual it is all about the concept of others' perspectives, which
means how the others aspects persons about their social identities like race or
class of a person (True-funk et al. 2021). The aspects of others help a person
to experience gender roles and also shape the experience. Intersectionality is
a specific term in which everyone's experiences in the context of gender roles
are unique and motivated by several factors, not just one.
3.4 Impact of Evolving Gender Roles on Social Structures
Fig2: Impact of
Evolving Gender Roles on Social Structures.
Source: self- developed
The transforming roles
of men and women affect the traditional ethics of the society which the society
has been running for a long time. In this modern society, everyone should
accept the thing that a man can be the caregiver in the family and a woman can
be the leader of a social organization. The more women work outside it changes
the entire habituation of their family life. The workability of women also has
significant effects in their respective workplaces. The workability of women
leads them towards more leadership behavior and makes them stronger to protest against
any worse situation. On the opposite side when men in this society play the
role of caregiver it challenges the old stereotypes thinking's of masculinity.
The transformation in the men and women challenged the stereotypical thinking
of the old days. By giving equal priority to men and women society can build a
fair position for everyone. Realizing the impacts that are effectively helping
to shape gender roles helps society build an inclusive landscape of equality (Bloodhart et al. 2020).
3.4 Gender Roles in Education and Workplace:
Role of the gender in
education and the workplace is different. In schools or workplaces, gender
roles are differentiated by the treatment of the individuals and the scope that
the individuals should have. Often in the education sector, men and women have
to choose their subjects on the basis of their gender. This crucial decision
may pose the issue of inequality among the men and women in the education
sectors and also the inequality in the context of choosing a subject may affect
their future careers. The same
inequality is present in some workplaces, often men and women who are working
in the same sector are paid different amounts for the same work (Bertocchi et al. 2020). If it is possible to break the
stereotype rules in education and workplaces everyone will get an equal chance
to learn the same things and be appreciated equally for the same work. Without
addressing the barrier of gender everyone should have a fair opportunity in
society, regardless of old traditions about gender equality and socialization.
4. Methodology
This study starts to
execute it insights by collecting data from diverse sources like several books,
articles, and research studies. Using different surveys or interviews is
mandatory for analyzing the data accurately. The surveys and interviews are
conducted to directly hear the problems from the people about their experiences
with gender roles (Bilan et al. 2020). It is possible
to get a better realization of how evolving gender roles impact social
structures with the help of combining different methods together. The execution
of the data in an accrued process demands to collect reliable data and insights
to efficiently analyze and strained the outcomes from the respective topic.
4.1 Data
Analysis and Findings:
Data analysis of the
study is started after collecting all the essential information with the help
of conducted surveys, interviews, and research. This study primarily aimed at
how day-by-day gender roles are changing in the society and what impact the
gender role has on society. It is possible to execute the challenges and
opportunities that come in the way of evolving gender roles by analyzing the findings
which are bring out from the surveys and interviews. Analyzing the collected
data helps to give exceptional insights into the complicated landscape of
gender roles and ethics of the society.
In the context of
politics and law, the role of gender-defining the fact of is how people are
treated and what rights they people have, the legal rights of men and women are
completely different the rights are settled in the legal phase according to
gender roles of the men and women. Voting, marriage, and discrimination laws
can differently affect the ethics of men and women. There are lots of places
where women are not allowed to do many things In those
places women might not have the same rights as men to vote or hold office.
Legal terms also shape the way in which people are treated in their workplaces
and schools (Graff et al. 2022). Because of the legal right, some workplaces
have the right to set the rule of equal pay or harassment. As per Wardhani et al. (2024) changing the crucial laws is
important for creating a more adjustable society where everything is fairer for
everyone, and there is no barrier to gender discrimination. It means making
sure that everyone has the same rights and opportunities, no matter if they're
a man, woman, or someone else. Implementation of some political movements, like
feminism, to change laws and policies helps to make society more equal for all
genders.
Redefining gender roles appears
as both a challenge and an opportunity. The most significant challenge in
redefining gender roles is overcoming the old stereotypes thinking and ethics
about gender equality and expectations of society about the role of the gender.
People might go through criticism or discrimination about gender roles for not appropriately
positioning themselves in traditional roles (Cislaghi
et al. 2020). Moreover, redefining gender roles also reveals new scopes for
everyone. The gender roles are represented independent motives in the context
of express the self identity and the interests of the
people. Redefining the roles of Gender can lead to a more inclusive community
where everyone feels equally accepted and valued. Probably it is possible to
make a society where everyone has the equal chance to thrive, without any
regard of gender issues by overcoming the potential challenges and enhancing
the related opportunities. Transforming the gender role is all about constructing
a world where people are free to express their selves and everyone is equally
evaluated and celebrated for their contributions.
5. Conclusion and recommendations
The nature gender roles are
transforming day by day, and it is significantly impact the social structure of
the modern world. The changes in the gender roles giving shape to the norms and
the opportunities of the modern society. Facing challenges in ignoring the stereotypes
thinking and supporting the policies that accept the concept of gender equality
in education, workplaces, and legal systems is crucial. The rules of equality
among all encourage the context of inclusivity in the society. Recommendations of
the study suggested to integrating policies that are enhancing the matter of gender-sensitive,
give priority to the diversity and inclusion initiatives, and address the
evolving dynamics of gender roles in the modern society.
6. References
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