Gender Stereotypes:

Gender Stereotypes:

Gender stereotypes consist of beliefs about the gendered nature of:

·         Psychological traits

·         Characteristics

·         Activities

Roles are interpreted in light of stereotypes that direct us to perceive roles that reinforce stereotypes….

Historical/Theological bases for Stereotypes:

·         Stereotype Threat—appearing to reflect “negative” attributes of a stereotype

·         Grounded in “Cult of True Womanhood”

·         Piety

·         Purity

·         Submissiveness

·         Domesticity

·         Masculinities

·         Coarse

·         Strong

·         Wise

·         Forceful

·         Active

·         Independent

·         Doctrine of two spheres

• Males and females were not only different as individuals but were expected to occupy different spaces in society; men’s, women’s roles, interests, activities, and attributes are divergent.
• Pg. 155
• No sissy stuff—no fear (2000 study of basal reading series indicates that boys are still portrayed this way)
• The big wheel
• Sturdy oak
• Give ‘em hell

Pleck—Gender Role Strain—

• the tension between traditional male roles and the role “he” wants can create stress given a highly stereotyped society (feminine male)

            e.g. close/intimate vs. no sissy stuff and sturdy oak

Connell—hegemonic masculinity—

• culturally sanctioned masculine roles become the standard for goodness and appropriateness