GSST001 Photo Essay - Gender Roles by Tabitha Constantino

Femininity as the norm

tcons002 — 2024-05-19 05:55:07 UTC

Tabitha is beginning to conform to society's stereotypical image of what a woman is. She is attempting to wear heels, which are associated with femininity and womanhood. She is visibly uncomfortable, as she doesn't fit into this role, but the need to "fit in" is more valued than her personal interests.

Cooking as a feminine role

tcons002 — 2024-05-19 05:57:29 UTC

The traditional gender role of cooking as a female is being challenged, as shown by her frowning expression. She is unhappy with a woman's role to take care of the house and kids. She doesn't dentify or fit into this gender role; according to author Judith Lorber, "Gendered roles change - today fathers are taking care of little children, girls and boys are wearing unisex clothing and getting the same education, women and men are working at the same jobs" (Lorber 2). She is trying to fit into this role but cannot because she differs from the gender norm. Although gender roles are changing, societal pressure to conform is still prevalent in today's age.

Dissatisfaction with the manly role of being a provider

tcons002 — 2024-05-19 05:57:46 UTC

Father takes on the gender role of working and providing for his family. Though he loves and supports his family, he prefers to show his affection in a different means, which is not working. He is unhappy and dissatisfied, as he doesn't conform to his gender role similar to Tabitha. Raewyn Connell writes, "Later authors’ attempts to capture an essence of masculinity have been colourfully varied: risk-taking, responsibility, irresponsibility, aggression, Zeus energy . . ." (Connell 6). Being a provider for the family assumes responsibility and a hardworking character, which is traditionally associated with males. On the contrary, Father exhibits unhappiness with society's view. He would rather take on feminine roles but still conforms according to what society values.

Father finding enjoyment with cooking

tcons002 — 2024-05-19 05:57:52 UTC

Compared to Tabitha's cooking experience, Father found it more enjoyable than working. He is also challenging society's constructs of gender roles by involving himself with a "female's role". He shouldn't be involved with this role as he is a man from a traditionalist sense. He is still supporting and providing for his family in a different way. Society's stereotypical view on a man's role differs to what Father enjoys and fits into, which is cooking.

Fulfillment with working as a woman

tcons002 — 2024-05-19 05:58:02 UTC

Tabitha is much happier taking on the masculine role of working and providing for my family though this means. Her and Father have switched roles, which brings more satisfaction for both parties and challenges society's views. West and Zimmerman write in their paper Doing Gender, "Gender, in contrast, is the activity of managing situated conduct in light of normative conceptions of attitudes and activities appropriate for one's sex category." (West and Zimmerman 127). She is taking on the gender role of a man from a traditional standpoint, which challenges the roles that women and men share, as she is a female. Both parties enjoy the role that the other is supposed to share, which opposes "doing gender" according to society.