Traditional Gender Roles in America

At a point in United States history, women's roles in the family and society may have been similar to those of traditional Asian gender roles.  However, changes in how women are viewed have led to many changes that have helped women advance in society.  The shift in gender roles now look very different compared to the values practiced in Asia.  At the same time, these same values and ideals are becoming present in modern Asian culture as a result of advancements in technology and contact between western and eastern cultures. 

    Dramatic shift over the last 20 years

• Women have begun to play a larger roles in the American workforce, being able to contribute to the American economy, as well as helping to support their own families.

• Shifts in the targeted markets (more advertisements are directed towards women)

• Views have changed in how men and women relate to each other in schools and in the workplace.

• Taught to be more independent and to speak our minds (First amendment/Lecture)

• Mao ZeDong (Mao Tse Tung) had a policy in the "Cultural Revolution" (where he was trying to regain control after losing it from several famines, caused by the "Great leap forward"), pushed for the eradication of the "four olds" - - - "old ideas, old culture, old customs, and ws284 old habits (Wild Swans, p 284).  This meant having to adopt new views on family practices, gender roles, etc.

• Women have been given the opportunity to vote and hold office, allowing their voice to be heard in a government that was previously run by males.

Family roles

• Women continue to bare responsibility for the children, however are also investing a lot into their careers.  There has also been a great increase in the number of single parent families in which women play the role of both mother and father, having to support the entire family

• Males still hold a traditional view regarding gender roles, yet are quite liberal as well

• Fathers are more involved with their families and help take care of the children.  They share tasks with the mother.

• Although there may still be some favoring between sons and daughters, both are given relatively equal chances and not put down by their parents.  The abilities of daughters have become more recognized, and they are raised to be independent and competitive. 

Workplace

• In a survey conducted by the Washington Post, men and women both agreed that they should have equal work opportunities.  The men approved of women working outside of the home.

• BOTH men and women agreed that it would be best if the women stayed home and took care of the children. 

• There is still discontent regarding issues surrounding pay equity and career advancement.  Women continue to make less than men in similar positions.

• Women are also now able to attain higher educations, further allowing them to compete with men in the workforce for the same positions.