Ah, gender stereotypes - those tiny little boxes the society has crafted for us to squeeze ourselves into. From "boys don't cry" to "man up if wanna be a breadwinner," to “transgender people are just seeking attention”, these false preconceived notions of gender roles have been handed down to us like family recipes, inherited generation after generation.
These false constructs about roles, behaviours, characters that are CONSIDERED appropriate for gender are so deeply entrenched in our society that despite the efforts being made to raise awareness about it, many people still dismiss these topics, probably because addressing these topics requires them to first acknowledge their own traumas related to biases they had to face while growing up. So knowingly or unknowingly, people still continue to perpetuate and uphold gender stereotypes which is usually clearly reflected in their actions, words and behaviours.
What lies at the heart of gender stereotypes is the belief that certain traits, interests, and behaviors are inherently masculine or feminine. From an early age, children are bombarded with messages from society, media, and most importantly, their own families that dictate what it means to be a boy or a girl. Boys are told to be strong, assertive, and unemotional, while girls are encouraged to be nurturing, passive, and literally idols of sacrifice. These rigid expectations ultimately limit the full expression of individuality and create a binary view of gender that ignores the diverse spectrum of human experiences. People who don’t fit into these conventions are left feeling excluded. It makes them feel like there’s something fundamentally wrong with them.
Imagine the pressure placed on boys to conform to the stereotype of being strong and stoic. This expectation often leads them to suppress their emotions, denying them the opportunity to seek support and address their mental health needs. As a result, many boys and men suffer in silence, unable to break free from the confines of toxic masculinity and what results is even worse. Most of these men unfortunately become a contributor to the societal norms about this. They themselves end up spreading false notions. But who is to be blamed? Their ignorance or us as a society? Or maybe both?
And on the other hand, we know a ton of different movies that portray women as damsels in distress, who need to be rescued by men. What bothers me the most is that young girls who watch classic fairy tales like Snow White and Cinderella- the movies in which female characters are portrayed as passive victims of their circumstances that need to be protected by the male protagonists- innocently internalise these beliefs that only reinforces the stereotypes besides contributing to their low self-esteem.
Social media has become such a toxic place. People openly dump their negativity and hatred toward people falling into a category of the gender spectrum that is not binary or a typical male or a female. These people usually consider themselves as “the sane ones that are the ones responsible for preservation of tradition”. If you’re one of those people, well, keep up the good work, oh so wise protectors of culture. I’m pretty sure your children will thank you for suffocating them in your limited worldview. Clearly, progress and equality are just pesky inconveniences that should be brushed aside in order to maintain status quo.
Hope you get my sarcasm. It was meant to highlight the absurdity of clinging to gender stereotypes under the guise of tradition. The truth is, gender stereotypes are not relics of the past to be preserved; they are harmful constructs that perpetuate inequality, limit individual potential, and stifle societal progress.
Imagine a world without gender stereotypes where people are assigned responsibilities and roles based on their level of competence and not their gender; a world where people don’t have to be afraid of the judgement that comes along with any new work that they start. This is a world where diversity is celebrated healthily and people are not confined by the ropes of societal oppression. This is the world where people get to enjoy boundless beauty and harmony, equally. The world is us.
We have the power to create the change that is needed. This can only be accomplished by shared contribution. We all need to acknowledge the world from others’ point of view and ensure inclusivity. It’s okay to not completely agree with someone. But it’s so not okay to dismiss or disrespect someone’s existence. It’s so unfair to hate someone because of an aspect of who they are. We all should be careful with our words because they can make or break someone. Together, we can make the world a better place.