Do societal expectations of gender roles hurt men and women?

Please feel free to share opinions regarding the positive or negative roles imposed upon us by society, however refrain from attacking a clipper's opinions or experiences as those comments will be deleted.

When any group of people is scapegoated, it is ultimately everyone's concern. For today, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are targeted. Tomorrow, they may come for you.

Societal expectations are powerful forces and most of the time we aren't aware of how they are at work to shape us. I think that when it comes to gender roles, it is particularly difficult to sort through how various expectations are forming us. That said, I recall reading a study fifteen years ago that talked about those with androgynous gender identities actually had the greatest level of self-esteem. I've always found that interesting.

The comment that homophobia forces persons to go against the grain of being human and expressing love for another is powerful food for thought. I do think hate is learned and social norms (formed from what? religion? mostly, I think) are what we learn.

I feel that our society encourages males to repress expressing emotions (other than anger) and that gender role can inhibit the formation of deep feelings.

It's harmful to label a woman a bitch for being assertive or a whore for expressing her sexuality because it is dehumanizing.

I think hate is mostly fear or perception of loss of power in disguise Kelso.

I'm 32 and still a bit of a tomboy, ( like frogs in the pockets- tomboy) my friend Maria is 60.
She got a flat tire the other day and I was flabbergasted-( I'm gonna make you look that one up) to find that she didn't even know if she had a tire iron in the back
She was equally floored when I proceeded to change the tire myself instead of calling my hubby. " What do you have him for then".

I think gender roles are becoming less strict with each new generation. Something to look forward to, i hope.

Sorry I'm getting to this one a little late busy day.