Gender Norms
Gender norms are a set of principles that guide the behavior of women, men, boys and girls in
society. These gender norms are the ones that say how people should dress, behave, act or look
in public according to their gender. And although these norms are not universal, they tend to be
similar in many cultures. All of these gender norms have been changing in recent years in many
countries because, as a society, we are evolving.
The beliefs that were held a few years ago about gender roles have changed greatly, and in my
opinion, this has been a favorable change that has helped us move forward as a society. The role
of gender on women is the one that has had the most changes and that is very good because it
allows us women to be more independent, more self-sufficient and in general to have more
freedom over our decisions. In the past, the role of the woman was to stay home and take care
of the children and it was the responsibility of the man to bring the money home. But in recent
years we have seen how these stereotypes have changed, now women can work and at the same
time take care of their home if that is what they want.
It is no secret that women have been repressed and deprived of their rights throughout history
and that gender norms have been applied more severely to women than to men. Many gender
norms have changed in America, but there are still more that need to do so. It is a really slow
process, but at least women have more job opportunities and the saying that “women can’t do
this” or “this is a man’s job” has been gradually falling behind. In my country, Honduras, it is
supposed that there have been changes, but the reality is that no. There is still the conception
that the woman is the only responsible for the care of the home and children (this at least the
rural areas of the country). Furthermore, the idea that women being subjected to their husbands
is very popular in some parts, and that “men are men” and therefore can behave in a carefree