Arguably, men and women have always had some sort of difference. This implies that despite the struggle to implement policies that boost gender equality, there would be some difference. As a matter of fact, every society expects behaviors and attitudes of girls and boys to be different. Even before a child is born it is clear that he/she has a distinguishable characteristic that is caused by gender. As the child grows, he/she undergoes socialization based on gender. In fact, this socialization process is asserted to affect individual later in life. Research shows that societies have ascertained gender roles based on sex-type divisions of labor, which makes gender socialization an interesting and universal are among social scientists. Gender refers to a range of characteristics of masculinity and femininity. Depending on its context the concept may refer to gender identity and gender roles. On the other hand, socialization means social experience in once entire life that individuals learn about culture and develop their potential as human beings. Therefore, gender socialization is a root of learning attitudes and social expectations, which is associated with one's gender. In fact, it is a tendency for girls and boys to socialize in a different manner.
Conversely, girls are specialized in various ways to conform to female gender, whereas boys are raised to match the male roles or gender. Sociologists assert that it is through gender socialization that human females and male behave and act in different ways. In fact, as they grow and develop they gain knowledge on different social roles. In this case, it is evident that boys learn more about outdoor activities than girls, whereas girls become more knowledgeable on household chores (Cohen, 2004). The attitudes and behaviors mold boys to behave men and gilds to be like women. As a matter of fact, these attitudes and behaviors that drive individuals towards gender socialization are taught and learned from childhood.
Gender socialization takes place in various ways, which include parental attitude, peer interaction, schools, mass media, as well as biological influence. The issue of biology having influence on issues related to gender socialization and gender roles has been controversial. This is because some scholars assert that biological differences have an impact on behavioral difference between men and women, on the other hand, others totally disagree on the issue. In simple terms, experts disagree on whether the difference between female and male is as a result of nurture or nature (Andersen & Taylor, 2007).
A family has a lot of influence in gender socialization. In fact, family is the main socializing agent at the early age of human beings. Parents socialize children according to their culture. Perhaps, boys are taught how to take care of outside chores, as well as being bracket together with a range of aspects of male. The girl child is also taught how to carry out household chores. In most cases, socialization of children in gender related ways within the family does not put into consideration the path of the child. Family shapes the attitudes, values, beliefs, and behavior of the child.
Gender socialization is also influenced by education; this implies that in schools there are activities that enhance gender socialization. As children in society begin education system, the traditional expectation for girls and boys still continue. In the classroom, teachers would focus on boys to be challenging since they were viewed to be proficient in subjects such as science and mathematics. In fact, teachers would go further to advising the boys to choose careers that were related to mathematics and science, these included engineering courses and computer science. In the contemporary society, things are changing; girls are becoming smarter than boys. Some sociologist asserts that the current teaching skills and techniques favor girls so much. Hence, gender socialization has become an ore complex aspect among scholars (Chafetz, 2006).
Mass media have taken grounds on gender socialization issues; Every aspect of media has a stereotype presentation of girls, boys, men, as well as women. For example, Disney movies demonstrate girls have the weaker sex in various issues, whereby they are always assigned roles that are pro-women. Probably, it is vital to comprehend that the media had gone to an extend of defining gender roles. Children are closer to the mass media than they are to their parents. This implies that media is becoming the most gender socializing agents (Cohen, 2004).
Gender inequality is one of the issues than cannot be avoided when discussing gender socialization. In the developed world, people think that we are achieving gender equality. This is not the case; in fact, there are more gender inequality issues than in the past. Mass media content in the 21st century still present women and girls have been exploited (Andersen & Taylor, 2007). Moreover, men are presented as violent and always on the opposing end on issues of gender inequality. In fact, mass media have gone to an extend of inducing people some unrealistic beliefs on issues related to gender roles in social life and family.
Studies show that there are many issues of differential treatment of boys and girls in society. The gender role privileging and differentiation of boys in society than girls is the main theme in society today. These sorts of differential treatment prepare us for the gendered division of paid work. As a matter of fact, gender roles that are defined during gender socialization has led to inequality issues in terms of payment and jobs. Therefore, the differential treatment that exists in society has prepared us for the gendered division of paid work. Gender socialization affects issues of gender roles and gender inequality. Perhaps, boys are advised in school to choose courses that are related to engineering. These are highly paid jobs; hence, this has prepared the boys to earn more money than girls in the near future (Chafetz, 2006).
Gender segregation is believed to have begun due to gender socialization. The segregations in the labor market based on gender is fueled by discriminatory and gendered assumptions and practices. Gendered division of paid work is a main feature of issues related to gender inequality (Chafetz, 2006). Gender roles have lead to inequality in the paid work. For example, women social and economic roles are hindered by issues of gender socialization. In some cultures, boys were socialized to always dominate the girls; hence, in the political arena female are restricted in issues of leadership and other well paid work.
Gender socialization has left men and boys with more career opportunities that are well paid. To blame on issues of gender inequality and roles are agents of gender socialization. The gendered division of paid work is influenced by gender socialization. The society view men to be economic providers instead of fathers. Hence, it prepares men and boys to be economic providers, instead of preparing them for fatherhood. On the other hand, women are associated to work that are not well paying. In society, this sort of differential treatment develops gender stratification, which is a gender based labor division, whereby men are remarkably responsible for work that is different to that of women (Andersen & Taylor, 2007).
In conclusion, gender socialization prepares individuals in society according to cultures and beliefs. Evidently, most of the well paid jobs have been taken by men. This trend of gender inequality at work is changing since men are in support of gender equality. There are various agents of gender socialization that need to be addressed on how to socialize. These include educational institutions, mass media, parents, peers, and family. The government and other work stakeholders must focus on changing the trends of paid work. Perhaps, it should be convenient for both male and female.
References
Andersen, M & Taylor, H. (2007). Sociology: Understanding a Diverse Society. Balmont:
Wadsworth
Cohen, P. (2004). The Gender Division of Labor. California: University of California Press
Chafetz, J. (2006). Handbook of the Sociology of Gender. London: Springer
