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Gender roles

Definition

Gender roles are societal expectations and norms about what behaviors, responsibilities, and activities are considered appropriate for individuals based on their gender.

Analogy

Think about different superhero movies - sometimes there's an expectation that male superheroes are strong and tough while female superheroes have more nurturing qualities. These stereotypes represent gender roles - society has certain expectations for how men and women should behave.

Related terms

Gender inequality: Gender inequality refers to unequal treatment or opportunities based on one's gender.

Gender stereotypes: Gender stereotypes are oversimplified beliefs or assumptions about typical characteristics or behaviors associated with males or females.

Gender identity: Gender identity is an individual's deeply-felt sense of being male, female, or something else, which may not always align with their assigned sex at birth.