Are traditional gender roles good for society?

Question

PoliceLivesMatter · Accepted Answer

I think they could be depending on how they manifest themselves and how extreme they are. I think men and women being different has to do more with biology than anything else, and this difference has allowed the flourishing of society in my opinion. You have women who dominate the health care field more than men because of women’s natural caring ability for others, and you have men dominate things like engineering and law enforcement for the more logical and less emotional aspects of men’s biology. You’ll see women and men gravitate towards what they like based on their innate biology and psychology and rarely anything else. The reason why you don’t see a majority of women wanting to go into law enforcement or firefighting, is the same reason why you don’t see a lot of men wanting to become nurses. It’s the biological and psychological differences that govern what interests men and women

BrianMerritt · Accepted Answer

Yes.
A good society understands that not everybody is the same, and that that's a GOOD thing. We all have different talents, shortcomings, genetics, whatever, but those things aren't a BAD thing. It's not a coincidence that EVERY civilization in human history had men as hunters/soldiers and women as nurses/mothers. Gender roles exist not because we make them exist, but because each sex was biologically designed to do certain jobs. 50 million years of evolution created gender roles, society didn't, society was based ON what humanity's strengths were.

PrincessPie · Accepted Answer

Yes, i like gender roles.

COCOCHANEL · Accepted Answer

in many ways yes

lumos · Answer

They're only good for the people who happen to fit into them, and the majority really doesn't fit traditional gender roles to a T anymore. People deserve to be free and choose what they want to do with their life. To try to force everyone to fit into the same mold is crazy, because we're all different and we should be free to express our differences.

MlleCake · Answer

Most people don't realize that what they personally think of as
traditional gender roles" have never been the ONLY tradition. Most of them are talking about a set of traditions that were only in place for about 15 years, and never for everyone.

Enforcing one set of gender roles as ideal, and even mandatory, has never been good for all of society. There is no reason to think it will start being good in the future.

CoffeeWC · Answer

It gives people direction towards what to do. It helps to organize society. Some people have no idea what to do, and gender roles help assign certain people to do certain things.

NicoletteKomotov · Answer

Gender isn't about what's between your legs or not, it's about how you feel about yourself. That can be a range rather than just one way or another. It's about time we as a society drop our paradigms and perceptions of how things should be based on outdated beliefs, dogma, and paradigms and start allowing how things are. Nature even has sequential hermaphrodites that start as a male and end up a female as they progress through life such as a Baramundi fish (Quite tasty by the way) en.wikipedia.org/.../Barramundi#Life_cycle
Limiting women's or men's roles in jobs, house etc only reduces the opportunities for both to contribute to a productive and prosperous society, family unit, individual... Limiting the free expression of gender regardless of what is between the legs limits living life to it's fullest.
Screw gender roles and patriarchal society. Just my opinion. I know most will feel threatened by it just like whenever a societal norm is broken. Oh well.

Anonymous · Answer

Yes TO SOME EXTENT... Traditional gender roles are based on the biologically differences between men and women. Men as protectors, providers, and leaders is based on men being physically more adept to muscular development (hence protectors/warriors), men don't have periods nor do they become pregnant meaning that they never need to take months on end off of work because of a pregnancy, and don't require certain privileges to help them deal with those issues (hence making them good providers), and as the male body produces fewer hormones it's easier to base certain decision wholly off logic and/or to make tough decisions when judgement could easily be clouded by emotion.

Women are often seen as caretakers, mothers, and supporters. All of this generally extends from women's ability to produce more hormones. In other words, women are generally more empathetic than men making them superior when it comes to raising kids, causing others to act in kindness, and in some crucial instances tempering the cold logic of a foolish man with mercy.

Catholicgirl22 · Answer

Neither good nor bad, just no longer necessary. In the past before contraception, labor saving devices and medical technology freed women up to take on other roles that were traditionally done by men traditional gender roles were necessary and women had no real choices.
In a relationship in 2018 couples deceide between themselves the roles they take in the relationship or household. Most women in a relationship I know still take on the traditional gender role for women such as cooking, cleaning, laundry etc while men take on the traditional male gender role. Obviously it's not always that clear cut and there are overlaps and men and women help each other out in those roles or do them together. Relationships tend to be 50/50 at least in effort towards the relationship.

dancing_in_nebulas · Answer

I think they come in handy when applicable, like if wifey is injured and is out of work, but takes up a housewife role.

Gender roling didn't become a thing until American culture lol

Housework was WORK. A wife was literally an agriculturist, construction worker, in home nurse, caregiver, fashion designer, chef, lumber jack, weaver, etc but at the same time.

The husband was usually on the verge of horrific death at his heavy labor job miles away.

This system was developed to make a male human and female human live advantegeously against survival odds using the dimorphic strengths of each gender.

Modern times, survivability is not as prevalent as before, which is why the gender roles of the new age focus on increasing the economic aptitude as a family unit.

We dont need any farm hands or a dude lifting heavy ass stones, but we do need high earning power and urban efficiency skills.

Children are actually more responsible for housework now lol

D_Bone_Steak · Answer

Half of these women hold onto a stereotype of men and in order to empower themselves as a woman, she must behave like that male stereotype. ... and thus you get the promiscuous, don't body shame me, female chauvinist that looks like a (oink oink) fat pig. She's just as attractive as the male counterpart, the stereotype, is to any normal woman.

There's also a rash of men that will cuck themselves out to that type of woman. I hope these men and those type of women exit the scene due to natural selection.

Azzazle · Answer

I chose yes not because I think women belong in the kitchen or anything or that men are inferior but because as a guy were wired a certain way. Were wired to be protective and providers. It is in our DNA and simply put. Men feel useless without this. It is why many men are getting out away from a lot of the alternative gender roles. Like for example I myself am pretty much fed up with women because of the toxic feminism. If i open the door for a woman im an asshole who thinks women can't open the door for themselves if i dont then im the asshole who mistreats women. Its that sort of gender role feminism toxicity that is driving away marriage eligible men.

ak667 · Answer

Maybe. I think it at least had the benefit of giving people a greater sense of structure and purpose to their lives, of accepting their responsibilities and roles in a relationship, and not being so confused to the point where many men and women have limited their interactions with each other to a predominantly sexual one and nothing else while confused and frustrated about relationships.

So it at least provided some sense of structure to society. Right now I don't see the absence of structure as a hands-down improvement; all I see is a lot of confusion and frustration. Perhaps we just need to find a way through this mess and figure out some sense of structure which provides more opportunities for everyone, but right now I don't see the chaos that has resulted from crumbling away at these traditional structures like gender roles and marriage as an overall improvement.

captain_voidwalker · Answer

Let's see when we had traditional gender roles we went from living in trees to living in highrises. From riding horses to flying airplanes around the world. And we landed people on the moon.
Since we got rid of gender roles we've seen crime rise 1500% we've seen 500million babies murdered via abortion. Congrats ladies that's a higher body count than men have via war for all of recorded history. And we've destroyed the family so our kids get raised by a single parent which is largely responsible for that crime statistic sky rocketing

SirRexington · Answer

It's a very complicated issue. What is traditional considered? Why do these roles exist?

We see cross culturally the difference between men and women. The reason is because of sociology and evolutionary psychology. We developed traits to successfully raise and children and survive more efficient.

But now that we don't live in dirt and Darwinian society, we are freer to make our own decisions as we fit ourselves to a more comfortable lifestyle. So we evolve to open up the opportunities that once weren't there for us.
On the flip side, even when we do have equal opportunity we see a vast difference in career choices as well as personal lifestyle choices. There is a biological basis. But we have taken it too literally. And we twist it by limiting individual freedom of choices by restricting our movement.

laurieluvsit · Answer

YES! ... very much so, but so are nontraditional gender roles :)

motownplayer2000 · Answer

No, following blind traditions is never good! Yes, their are roles for each sex. But those roles should be defined for every single couple/relationship. Not society. Society has been f**ked up since the beginning. So the fact that people continue to insist that that’s the way it should work is beyond me. Especially in this country (America) where people get so upset when people are told what they should be doing, and don’t mind sticking they nose in other people’s business telling others how they should live and what they should or shouldn’t accept in society. It doesn’t work both ways... #sorrynotsorry lol

sjoes006 · Answer

The funny thing is the majority of men voting yes are only thinking of roles for the opposite sex or gender benders or whatever they call them.

If you frame the question differently to is the traditional gender model for what it means to be masculine many may feel differently.

They don’t want to be seen as less than for having muscles, they don’t like the idea of having to be the provider. But then heaven forbid the woman step up and make more than him. He likes that resentment.

Browneye57 · Answer

Of course - they're good for everybody. I can't figure out why this generation is so rebellious about their sexuality. Take joy in your role. You'll get more out of life.

dianninja · Answer

I think the problem with labels and narrow minded societal roles is that it marginalises people who don't really fit into them. Notice that most women say no to this, because most of us don't exactly grow up wanting to be always prim and 'ladylike' wanting nothing but to be subservient. I grew up wanting to play with dinosaurs and computers when I was expected to be playing with barbies and dresses. When I wanted what I thought was fun, I'd had to take them from my brother. Isn't it sad we put such pointless things into gender roles? I mean how are gender roles good when all it does is limit people?
Look at suicide statistics. Men are committing suicide and are having major issues with lack of emotional support. Doesn't it make sense that men have it worse with mental health because masculinity and male gender roles pressure men to keep things inside, and to be strong?
Who exactly does gender roles help?

Leeda · Answer

If traditional is that man works and then comes home, gets the food that his wife cooked after coming home from work, picking up kids and cleaning the house, it is not so good. Both should just do their best to make family life work. N if the families are good, the whole society is good

hellionthesagereborn · Answer

Statistically speaking? Yes, all data we have heavily leans towards that conclusion. Men are happier, women are happier, children fair better and are happier. Kind of explains why its the tradition to be honest (and how it developed in every single major and minor civilization in the world).

African_Queen0309 · Answer

I think it honestly depends on what the situation is and whether they're fine playing that role just as long as your not assuming because to me I get mad when someone asks me to do something rather than my brother because it would make more sense gender wise. Make sure you ask and not assume or order around.

quietlyconfident21 · Answer

Yes because, and hear me out here, they kind of mimic what we are naturally made for anyway. No that does not mean that the woman should always be in the kitchen and do all of the child rearing, or that the man should only work on cars or watch sports or stuff like that. Only that those roles were there for a reason and cknlletwly getting rid of them wouldn't really help anyone

PinkMichae · Answer

It's better for the kids to have a parent home to help them and supervise them. I'm still all for who ever is home staying home to get a job or get an education with their free time. But the number one job is to raise your kids. I think that's the best job myself.

Carpetmanandkoop · Answer

I think men need to be men and women need to be women but this doesn't apply to power power in a relationship needs to be shared meaning 50/50 when you have one person in charge of another it always leads to abuse in every case most of the women I've dated seem to be of the type that they want me to control them or they'll try to control me and all that ends up being is a relationship that's going to be broken up. The few women that have been thankful to have a man that wants a woman to stand beside him not ahead of him or below have been extremely good relationships

bubbatxman · Answer

Especially during times where children are being born and early childhood to the start of school. My wife worked before kids and returned when the last one went to pre-kindergarten. I think it is crucially important to the development of small children for mommy (or daddy acting as mommy) to be around up until about 3-4 years of age.

Audiofox · Answer

It depends on what you define as society. I feel individuality is only okay for everyone in a society that encourages a *lack* if roles for people based on biological traits they can’t control.

If you want a society more focused on the communal aspect, as it stands, roles work better.

Bluedream13 · Answer

feminism's influence on full display here... good to see most men are waking up and about a 3rd of women... they are arguably just the ones who survived all along lol their families stayed smart, women are not really waking up to this in any significant numbers that I can see

Ayer93 · Answer

To an extent. Girls should sound, dress, and act feminine and guys should sound, dress, and act masculine. But things like paying for meals when we both work and have the same potential to earn, and the woman being the one to be in the kitchen are outdated. Equal rights should mean equality in a relationship as well. If you're a responsible adult you should be able to pay your own meal and know how to cook as it's a life skill.

wilbonn19 · Answer

Yes. Because that's when families were most stable. Because of single parenting now, we have "dysfunctional families." And that's been a total disaster.

VIVANT · Answer

No bc it encourages idiocy in certain areas. People avoid learning subjects that are not masculine or feminine depending on what sex they are it’s absurd and dangerous.

Keith469 · Answer

I think when we were a more agrarian society, and even more before that, as hunter gatherers, it was helpful and perhaps even absolutely necessary for survival.

I think we have evolved socially beyond that point, but some of this behavior was also selected for by evolution.

It is a complex knot to untangle.

pingu58 · Answer

It's not really about traditional or not traditional. The new way of looking at gender came about because of changes to our understanding of gender. What's important is recognising that everyone is an individual and has their own unique set of qualities, and being able to form a society that does not discriminate on any aspect.

SamtheDnDgirl · Answer

Traditional roles makes things stagnant and stale. Plus, not every person fits the roles assigned to them. Let people do what they want and figure that out for themselves as long as it doesn't hurt anybody.

Moonchild714 · Answer

No, they are outdated and sexist!!! We are in the 21st Century let's get with the times!!!

Celtero · Answer

Yes. With modern gender roles, nobody has any fricken kids. Also, women's happiness has continued to go down over time, so it's not like entering the workforce is the epitome of life.

Anonymous · Answer

Lmfao all these feminists disliking all the stuff.
If you want to enforce gender roles in your life, do it. Your life.

Some women still preffer being house wives and stay home with the kids whilst dads work their asses off and don't get to see their children as often.

Gouthamfab · Answer

Thats a broad position. We need to define some. Child nurturing cannot be transfered to dads. It just won't work. Only moms have that connection to babies. Also extreme physical work is more suitable to men. There are stuff that biology lets you choose. Apart from that any tule have is just cultural hence malleable.

AD240pCharlie · Answer

I don't think we should FORCE people to behave according to gender norms, but we shouldn't get rid of them either, and definitely not shame women who want to be house wives or men who are dominant and want a woman who is more kind and gentle than confident.

TomasLyy · Answer

Gender equality is a must of course, but there will always be things like chivalry and manners. How to "treat" a girl, even though you wish to be treated equally. So of course, you don't want to be treated equally, you want to be treated as women with the same benefits guy have.

Sarcastro · Answer

Not directly, however the modern progressive concept of gender equality has had the unforeseen consequence of men abandoning their families in droves in the past few decades, as never before in the history of any society. Men are no better providers than women and women don't need a man. Bailing on your wife and kids can hardly be considered shirking responsibility if you're constantly being told that you're an unnecessary, disposable part of your own family.

Patrickjv · Answer

Nah. Both genders working, producing, that's good for society.

Jason407 · Answer

I see nothing wrong with a family where the woman stays at home and the man brings home the "bacon". I also see nothing wrong with a woman who wants kids and doesn't wanna abort them like they're disposable. I think Feminism has really changed women and not for the better. I think a lot of guys would agree, seen as the marriage rates are down.

ShortCircuit · Answer

Traditional gender roles have utility, yes. However, authoritarian legal enforcement of traditional gender roles is ethically wrong, as is authoritarian legal enforcement of anything except compulsion not to murder or steal.

GothAncap · Answer

Only the weak minded try to control others and can't think for themselves. If you like gender roles in your relationship and still support others' freedom, I have no problem with you. I'm doing what I want and refuse to follow gender roles. I'm an individualist and want an equal who is independent and can hold their own and am not threatened by it. I can hold my own and expect the same

Hispanic-Cool-Guy · Answer

Absolutely. A man should have his role of a man in providing structural, protection, guidance and discipline.

A woman should be raising and loving her children and running house matters to make sure everything is in order and right.

Ellie-V · Answer

For society? Absolutely not. If they’re actually enforced. For for individual couples who actually want to live their lives that way... why not.

11110000bbbb · Answer

Yes

blkhermano · Answer

I say you play the role you're gifted at. If the woman is incredible and flourishing in the corporate world, but the man is good at keeping the home together, would you mess that up? I wouldn't. I say play to your strengths

ita_pan · Answer

Gender roles? Ew. Keep that. I provide for myself, I am my own rock. I should have a man that is my rock and provides for me? No thank you. I am strong for myself. So are loads of other women, and men.

worldscolide · Answer

i am happy to see that yes out numbers the no's by quite a large margin.

Anonymous · Answer

Frankly they were better than the train wreck we are currently experiencing, however i believe what we have right now is a necessary growing pain towards something better later on, we just happen to be living through an awkward period of change.

Prof_Don · Answer

Yes! Categories lead to organization, which leads to functionality.

Of course the gender roles don’t have to be overly rigid, there will be exceptions to every rule... but overall categorization is good

EhndovYhu · Answer

I think it gives people something to aim for in life. With more women in work and with careers they tend to prioritise their work life over starting a family. I think it is okay during their younger years but as they get older and get closer to the wall their priorities begin to change. Pressure builds up and they make bad decisions. Its sad when I hear women who've hit the wall and live out the rest of their lives with bitterness, regret and with a bad life partner or none at all.

54newstar · Answer

As a guy I don't have a problem being the male of the house, but I also don't have a problem doing the dishes. My girlfriend is a feminist and she has to deal with me being a guy but she loves it when i fix her car and vacuum the house. Its just supporting each other, she'll have the kid so I have to do more than just earn a paycheck ( we both work).

Logorithim · Answer

I think it's more accurate to say that there needs to be some cultural norms for roles, whatever those norms may be. Doesn't necessarily have to be what we know as traditional gender roles.

Vynar · Answer

Yes, very important. Couples not having kids, or people who are even incapable of having a relationship are the death of a culture. A few are tolerateable, but as it is now, our society will go extinct

IndieGirlJess · Answer

They have served us for over 200 years and I'm sure they can serve us another 200 years if we even make it that far.

Mexicoman101 · Answer

Yes and no. Sometimes they are there for good reason, other times they limit the choices of individuals to live as they please in ways that really do not effect others.

Dog19 · Answer

I feel like if old gender roles were enforced people would start forcing girls to have kids they don't want.

wouldyoukindley · Answer

Women are usually want gender equality especially when it comes to wages at work plain and simple if you as a women can't do the same work as a man you shouldn't have the same benefits.

zuchary · Answer

Traditional gender roles are great, but they don't work in these times. Change is nessesary. The world is overpopulated, mom's need to work to live, etc.

Are traditional gender roles good for society?

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