GENDER ROLES

With so much talk on gender roles and from very different perspectives, I often find myself very unaffiliated to a particular view. This sense of neutrality would border on indifference if it were not for the deeper questions I find interesting in the topic. Each perspective discloses a different angle to the discussion on gender roles and its construction. Historians look at the effects of World War II and its mobilizing effect of the female work force. Economists take that event and analyze the aggregate impact of an expanded labor market on consumption, investment and the overall economy. Sociologists focus on how these lifestyles and behavioral shifts have affected society. Feminists (broadly could be classified under anthropology) focus on the statutory and legal dimension, and its implications, that this social structure maintains. These social sciences bring a myriad of fascinating concepts and ideas, and while interesting in their own right, I am more curious about exploring the philosophical and scientific implications. These two disciplines have a closer relationship to truth and as such, I believe they can guide this conversation in a more objective direction. Questions like “What is gender? How do we define “roles”? Is gender a mostly psychologically-derived concept in which biology plays a less important role? In which case, are roles more aptly described as formalized projections of our “biological intuition”?” resonate very strongly with the mindset I think is best as a starting point for this discussion.

It can be easy to remain fixated on how an issue directly affects one’s thoughts, beliefs, and profession, but implications and consequences are subjective ways to gauge the validity of an idea. What does science have to say about us as males and females? Does neuroscience indicate a stark difference between the male and female brain, from which gender roles can be qualified or discarded? What about the biological differences? Do they warrant a certain thought pattern that favors a set of gender roles over others? There is also the philosophical angle to this inquiry. Should we treat gender roles as a way to maximize efficiency in different aspects of society? In this manner is it less morally reprehensible to forgo equality for human well-being? These are just some of the questions that would be revelatory of our priorities in society concerning this topic. Perhaps understanding the big picture is the first step to focusing the lens on the finer details.