Current Connection 3.1

Throughout history it has been said that women do more jobs that connect more with house wife duties, and the male population takes part in jobs that are more heavy duty, or "manly". In a previous article, Gender Roles Are Still at Work, by Dan Gordan, it emphasizes some of those stereotypes and gives some great examples of the roles women and men have in our society today. Bringing these problems to our attention, Dan Gordan greatly expresses the view of gender roles.

In this article it states, "Stereotypes persist, and lifestyle and personal preferences also keep some professions male or female-dominated." The fact that men believe the must do certain things to make themselves appear more manly to other males has a mass effect on the jobs widely overrun with the male population; moreover, females are the same way. Most women feel as if their role has to be submissive to men when it comes to the work force. Jobs such as secretaries to a male lawyer or doctor are great examples of these instances.

Secondly, this article brings into attention the women who defy those stereotypes, "Truck driving isn't the only occupation in which women are a distinct minority. When was the last time you saw a female plumber, carpenter, or electrician?" Although the ratio, male to female, is very small in these occupations, women are still dipping into these types of work settings. Some women ever aid in road construction, and the building of houses and/or commercial buildings.

Furthermore, Dan Gordan elaborates more on the stereotypes, "Women were teachers, nurses, secretaries, social workers, stewardesses, and librarians; men were just about everything else." Many view the assumptions made of women doing a  woman's job and men doing a man's job very sexist. Although this may be true in some cases, some believe that some occupations may be unsafe for women and therefore making it more of a man's job. Due to the fact that men develop more muscle than women, some jobs are better suited for the male population.

Finally, Gordan brings up a recent study on the matter of gender roles, "Some studies have suggested teachers have lower expectations or are less encouraging toward girls in math, though that may be changing. It has recently been strongly thought out that men do better going into a field that is strong in mathematics; however, here recently more women have taken action and are being allowed to take advantage of this experience also.

In conclusion the gender roles stereotypes, even though its spread out a little better, are still running rampant throughout our society as a whole. What is to come in the future? Will women take over some of the highly male populated occupations?

Dan Gordan. Gender Roles are still at work. Las Angeles Times. 01/10/14