Running head: GENDER STEREOTYPES
Gender Stereotypes: The Effects of Gender Stereotypes to the Society of Today
Bista, Jhassel Belle B.
Carzon, James Kenneth A.
Liwanag, Shiela Mae D.
Adamson University, Manila City
Philippines
Sir Rizal Dapat
Professor
May 2020
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
It is a great opportunity for us to be able to write about the topic “Gender Stereotypes”.
During the time of preparing this paper we were able to go through different research studies and
websites which help us fully understand the importance of this topic to our lives.
First and foremost, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to our Purposive
Communication Professor “Mr. Rizal O. Dapat” for giving us the opportunity to do research
and providing his invaluable guidance, and suggestions throughout in completing our research.
We would also like to express our deepest thanks to our parents for their love, prayers
and continuous support to complete this research. We would also like to extend our heartfelt
thanks to our dearest friends for their encouragement whenever the times get rough which
helped us in completing this paper.
And lastly, we would like to thank God, the Almighty, for the wisdom, strength, peace of
mind and also for keeping us safe and healthy during the COVID 19 pandemic crisis and
making the completion of our research possible.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page......................................................................................................... 1
Acknowledgement……................................................................................... 2
Table of Content.............................................................................................. 3
Abstract............................................................................................................ 4
Introduction...................................................................................................... 5
Statement of the Problem……......................................................................... 6
Objectives of the Study……............................................................................ 7
Significance of the Study……......................................................................... 7
Scope of the Study……................................................................................... 8
Definition of Terms……................................................................................. 9
Methodology………....................................................................................... 10
Results and Discussion………........................................................................ 11-15
Recommendation…………………………………………………………….15
References………............................................................................................15-16
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ABSTRACT
Men and women do have certain differences. Those are described to some degree in the gender
stereotypical representations of these groups and society. Gender stereotypes of how men and
women behave and act are commonly held and indicate a grain of fact. Stereotypical
expectations, however, represent not only real differences but also the way men and women
identify themselves and are viewed by society. Gender stereotypes on the workforce, identifying
what women and men are, and their implications for career advancement for women and men.
The point is that gender stereotypes have biased opinions and decisions, and even culture has its
own gender stereotyping perspectives. The research analyses how gender stereotypes foster
gender inequality because of the unfavorable performance perceptions resulting from the
assumption that what women are like is poorly suited, and the characteristics were considered
appropriate for good performance in positions and roles common for males. Gender stereotyping
influences society, the study analysed the different factors that influence individuals performing
gender stereotyping. Then remember how these lead to differences in gender in essential results
of life. Gender stereotypes' cognitive and motivational roles allow us to understand their effect
on the implicit beliefs and interactions about men and women. Awareness of the literature on this
topic will support people's fair judgment in circumstances where gender roles are likely to play a
role. Nevertheless, we must remember that gender roles are still rooted in our society and that it
is so implicit that we barely ever understand others and society.
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Gender Stereotypes: The Effects of Gender Stereotypes to the Society of Today
Sex and gender are two different things. A newborn’s sex is assigned as either male or
female based on the baby’s genitals. Once it is assigned, people presume that it will be the
child’s gender identity. After that, parents began to teach their children on what they can and
can’t do based on their gender. Children who express their gender outside of these social
standards usually have difficult experiences. They are pressured by their parents to comply at
home or behave in an acceptable manner.
Some are mistreated by being physically or verbally bullied by their classmates in school
because they act or feel different (Human Rights Watch, 2017). Often times we define a person’s
gender identity based on their behavior, manners and their fashion statements. These
expectations turned into what we call gender stereotypes that currently exist in our society of
today. Gender
Stereotypes are the concepts created about what men and women are like (Hentschel et
al, 2019). From a very young age, children tend to learn about certain attitudes, behaviors, and
skills that are seen as ‘normal’ and ‘acceptable’ in their society. Stereotypes made expressing
their emotions difficult in order for them to ‘fit in’ in the norms about gender (Our Watch, 2018).
A person is believed to display desirable behaviors that is compatible to their genders
such as women are expected to be communal (warm, sensitive, cooperative) and avoid
dominance (aggressive, intimidating, arrogant), and men are expected to be agentic (assertive,
competitive, independent) and avoid showing their weaknesses (Koenig, 2018). It is the same as
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when people used to say that “pink is for girls, blue is for boys” or men can’t wear earrings while
women can’t wear tattoos.
This belief limits a person’s chance to be able to make their own choices, develop their
abilities and pursue professional careers they like. When being selected for future careers, their
potentials are being overlooked and also their performance are being rated based on being a men
and women (Ellemers, 2018).
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Gender stereotypes are generalizations of what males and females are. There is usually a
lot about agreement on them and used to clarify perceived variations in the thinking, feeling, and
behaviour of women and men. And even if men and women possess common traits, desires and
goals, the different perceptions and stereotypical expectations we have of them put them in
different realities. Considering the origins and significance of gender roles allows one to
understand how gender stereotypes in culture are related to these.
This study aims to know and identify the following:
1. What are the repercussions that the gender roles have set on the society today and how
are the newer generations handling it?
2. How does gender stereotyping affects the way people perceive things in line with the
labor force?
3. What are the possible effects of Gender Stereotype on somebody's psychological
conviction?
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4. What are the masculinity and femininity standards on all aspects of gender identity and
sex?
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The primary goal of this research is to determine the ways that bias stereotypes can result
to distortion of views that may lead to violations of the human rights or the freedom of a person.
Approach:
1. To learn about the idea of stereotypes and consider the fair and unfair circumstances that
may affect the well-being of today’s generation.
2. To explore the implications brought upon by the current gender stereotypes in the society.
3. To propagate awareness concerning the effects of gender stereotype.
4. To expound the idea to parents that gender stereotypes have a big impact to their children
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The findings of this study will redound to the benefit of society considering that biased
gender stereotypes shapes discrimination against both men and women. It is expected to give a
better perspective to propagate equity and disregard the gender norms.
Benefitting the study are the various sectors as follows:
PARENTS. They play an important role in promoting the gender equality starting at their home.
They will know the importance of supporting and creating a safe environment for their children
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to be able to express themselves as they are by accepting their choices and reassuring that it is
okay to be different.
STUDENTS. This group may use this study as an example to bear in their mind that they
should know their rights to make their own decisions and become responsible in discovering
their own strengths and interests for their future. They will also become aware on how they
should be treated and how they should treat others.
TEACHERS. The results of this study can help them become aware of their unconscious biases
in which could undermine the students’ progress and success. By then, they will be able to create
an environment where every students can have equal opportunities in improving their knowledge
and skills.
PROFESSIONALS. This study could help them be aware that the skill sets are not the same for
every employee. They should let their employees be able to have fair training and rewards which
could strengthen diversity in the workplace.
And lastly, these could serve as a good source of accurate and useful information for the future
researchers who would want to do researches with this topic.
SCOPE OF STUDY
This research aims to know the effects of gender stereotypes in which, in various
contexts, it explains how culture affects. A gender bias is negative because it restricts the ability
of women and men to improve their personal skills follow their professional careers and make
life choices. This study describes the impact of both explicit gender roles on the workforce,
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describing how women and men are, yet prescriptive gender roles designating what women and
men should be, and their implications for the advancement of women's careers. The main point is
that gender inequalities produce biased assumptions and actions that hinder men and women's
advancement (Heilman, 2012).
It refers also that Gender roles influence men and women in almost every aspect of life.
The gender differences, actual as well as imagined, are used as a way of justifying their presence.
Stereotyping refers to the practice of attributing particular qualities, characteristics, or roles to an
individual woman or man solely because of her or his participation in the women or men social
category.
Gender stereotyping is unfair when it results in a human rights violation or abuse of
fundamental freedoms (OHCHR, n.d.). Gender stereotypes can affect human rights, and gender
inequality arises, from these perceived differences. Where we raise boys to be providers,
uncompromising and demanding whereas we are raising girls to be submissive, passive and to
fulfil the needs of a man.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Gender – the state of being male or female. It also relates to the social roles, behaviors and
characteristics which the society may appoint to male or female.
Gender Expression – how a person chooses to show another his or her gender
Stereotype – an over-simplified or unjust perception that groups of individuals have different or
similar characteristics.
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Identity – the fact of being whom or what a person or thing is
Gender Role – the role or behaviour learned by a person that the society consider as appropriate
to their gender.
METHODOLOGY
A. RESEARCH DESIGN
To understand how gender stereotyping affect society, the researcher examined the several
variables that affect the performance of people that experience gender stereotyping through secondary
research. Secondary research is a research that uses existing data to gather information and investigate
about the problem posed by the researchers. Secondary research involves the utilization of data
available on the internet, published research material, similar documents, etc. This research provided
an overview of existing research on gender stereotypes by summarizing, collating, and synthesizing
available data and information.
B. SAMPLING METHOD
As a secondary research, this research did not require to include a sample as element. The
research did not have any participants, respondents, nor subjects but utilized data and information in
investigating the problem posed in this research. Hence, acquiring the sample size through a sampling
method/technique is not applicable.
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C. DATA COLLECTION METHOD & INSTRUMENTATION
Secondary research utilizes data available online and already available information. It should be
noted that this research was conducted at a time of pandemic when multiple constraints are faced by
the researchers such as logistical, financial, etc.
Unlike a primary research, this research utilized information and data from various sources such
as government agencies, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, academic
research, etc. These secondary data were then processed by summarizing, collating, and synthesizing to
provide an overview of the current knowledge on the field regarding gender stereotypes. The
researchers used these secondary data in resolving the inquiry that prompted this research and will be
presented in its subsequent sections.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Repercussions of Gender Role
Gender roles nowadays pressurize children, they are forced to wear traditional clothing
based on their gender, forcibly wearing feminine dress for women despite it contradict against
the characteristic of the female. This stereotyping can be harmful in which they are motivating
people to condemn and oppress those people who doesn’t fit with their traditional gender roles
(One World Education, n.d.). Men who cries are seen as weak by the society, they are the
implication of being told that “you should not cry, crying is for girls”, this teaching are used by
adults as a way to sooth crying children, this leads up to bottled emotion, unable to completely
release their frustration (Sumano, n.d.). Another repercussion of Gender Role, is automatically
setting it up as Male and Female, as a result gender such gay, lesbian and etc. are not welcome in
any environment, with having frequent bullying situation. As a result, they lack knowledge
related to LGBT and sometimes experience physical or sexual assault, this cause deep and
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lasting harm. When student tries to face these issues whether its isolation or together, for them
the can school can be difficult or hostile environment. Physical and psychological injury aside,
students also describe how bullying, discrimination, and debar from groups to cause them lose
concentration, skip class or worse transferring schools, obstructing them to learn and be educated
(Human Rights Watch, 2017). In order to solve this problem in society, it is recommended to
media to show more relatable, positive portrayals who don’t follow traditional gender roles such
as transgender going to school with others positively, football player who behaves in a feminine
way. Another solution is to teach the difference between gender and sex , as well different
feeling teenagers developed as they grow up, this will enable teenager to better understand
themselves and develop as they change.
Gender Stereotype to perception in labor force
Around the world, 49% women are participating in labor force while 75% for men, a
woman’s personal preference is one of the factors determining the likelihood of being hired, but
this preference is being heavily influenced of socio-economic constraint forcing to follow the
traditional gender roles (ILO, n.d.). Recruitment of women in a women-biased workplace can
reduce women’s performance. As a result of having low starting salary, less skill development
opportunities and having selective attention disregarding the capabilities of women. A woman
working home is perceive as a common thing, but statistically regardless of employment women
tend to prefer working on paid jobs (ILO, n.d.). In fact, having gender-biased in workplace can
affect in several categories, someone who experience discrimination at work may develop higher
level of anxiety prone to depression which may lead to rely on alcohol and drugs to cope with the
problem, heavily effecting that person’s job performance. Which will also lead in poor Company
Morale allowing the reduction of company’s overall productivity as such, gender biased is highly
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recommend to be eliminated in any workplace (Leonard, 2019). Many countries have laws
against discrimination and harassment at work, but these are not enough sanctions, equality and
public awareness campaigns are key in eliminating discriminations.
Gender Stereotype Psychological Effect
These stereotypes affect the performance of women, for example when random men and
women are asked to answer math problems while knowing that there is no effect on performance
on your gender, they both performed well. On the other hand, another set of participants are
required to do the test but having them learn that there is effect based on gender, women
performed less than men, this shows that gender stereotype affect the performance of women
(Shapiro, et al 2012). Gender stereotype can give Men, false bravado which mean they will have
the mindset that they are superior to other gender. Belief as such will continue misconception
and which will lead to infinite loop of discrimination.
Gender Standard Identity
Women and men should be born to be intelligent, healthy and positive individuals. Some child
psychologists say girls are getting less vocal as they grow up for various reasons including low
self-esteem. An associate professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health,
said "There appears to be a difference as soon as girls and boys reach [adolescence], where their
behaviors and perceptions towards the opposite sex drastically change.” When girls are teenagers
they are deemed vulnerable and need protection which causes many teens and later women to
hide their assertiveness in order to adhere to the values of society (Mmari, n.d.). Gender
stereotyping will restrict the advancement of girls and boys, women and men's natural talents and
skills, as well as their educational and career opportunities and life chances in general. Women's
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assumptions all result from and are the result of women's deep-rooted behaviors, beliefs,
expectations and biases. They are used to explain and sustain men's historical power-over-
women roles and sexist behaviors that push up women’s progress.
A gender bias is negative because it restricts the willingness of women and men to improve their
personal skills, follow their professional professions and make life decisions. Sources of
wrongful gender stereotyping include the inability to criminalize marital rape based on the
cultural view of women as men's personal property, and the inability to examine, prosecute and
efficiently punish sexual assault against women based on, for example, the presumption that
women can defend themselves from sexual abuse by dressing and acting modestly (OHCHR,
n.d.). Wrong gender stereotyping is a common source of violence against women and men, and a
leading factor in violations of a wide variety of freedoms, such as the right to health, acceptable
living conditions, employment, marriage and family relationships, jobs, freedom of speech ,
freedom of assembly, political involvement and representation, successful redress and freedom
from gender violation.
The goal of this research is to enable society to build their own critical intelligence about
cultural hereditary stereotypes. They should be aware of the way men and women are
conditioned to have to act according to their gender. When it comes to such gender problems, we
live in a more enlightened world relative to the past, but we need to note that gender roles are
always rooted in our society and it's so implicit that we barely ever realize.
There are some very easy ways we can help avoid its impact such as providing open
places for people to show their full range of feelings and letting women know that their opinions
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matter. Every type someone views himself as there is no distinction in our desire to make a
change (Sumano, n.d.). Stereotypes are perceptions about how people behave, based on the
community they belong to. Most children grow up defining those characteristics as belonging
only to boys or girls.
RECOMMENDATION
This study shows the significance of knowing the effects of Gender Stereotypes to the society.
The researchers recommends that conducting a survey about the views and insights of various
sectors in this topic is important in order to obtain a more accurate data and results for future
studies.
REFERENCES
Ellemers, N. (2017) Gender Stereotypes. Annual Review of Psychology, 69, 275-298
Gender Roles in Modern Society. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.oneworldeducation.org/gender-roles-modern-society
Heilman M. (2012) Gender Stereotypes and workplace bias. Research in Organizational
Behavior, 32 (pp. 113-135). New York, NY 10003, United States
Hentschel, T., Heilman, M., & Peus, C. (2019, January 30) The Multiple Dimensions of Gender
Stereotypes: A Current Look at Men’s and Women’s Characterizations of Others and
Themselves. Front. Psychol. Retrieved May 05, 2020, from
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00011
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Human Rights Watch. (2017) Discrimination against LGBT Students in the Philippines.
Retrieved May 05, 2020, from https://www.hrw.org/report/2017/06/21/just-let-us-
be/discrimination-against-lgbt-students-philippines#page
International Labor Orgnization (n.d) The gender gap in employment: What's holding women
back? Retrieved from https://www.ilo.org/infostories/en-
GB/Stories/Employment/barriers-women#global-gap
Koenig A.M. (2018). Comparing Prescriptive and Descriptive Gender Stereotypes about
Children, and the Elderly. Frontiers in psychology.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01086
Leonard, Kimberlee (12 Mar. 2019). “The Effects of Gender Discrimination in the Workplace.”
Small Business - Chron.com, Chron.com, smallbusiness.chron.com/effects-gender-
discrimination-workplace-2860.html
Our Watch (2018). Challenging Gender Stereotypes in the early years: The Power of Parents.
Melbourne, Australia: Our Watch.
OHCHR (n.d.) Gender Stereotyping. Retrieved from
https://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Women/WRGS/Pages/GenderStereotypes.aspx
Sumano, K. (n.d.). How Gender Stereotypes Impact Behaviour. Retrieved from
https://www.joinonelove.org/learn/gender-stereotypes-impact-behavior/
Shapiro, J. R., & Williams, A. M. (2012). The role of stereotype threats in undermining girls’
and women’s performance and interest in STEM fields. Sex Roles: A Journal of
Research, 66(3-4), 175–183. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-011-0051-0
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