Harmful Sexual Gender Stereotypes

Sex and gender are two different concepts that are interrelated in our society. Gender is a social construct that is often related to the gender binary and, “refers to the widely shared set of expectations and norms linked to how women and men, and girls and boys, should behave.” (spl.ids.ac.uk) Sex, on the other hand, is also related to the gender binary but refers to the biological and physiological characteristics that define a male body and a female body. Sex is based on scientific principles, while gender ideals are reinforced by societal thought. It’s important to note that the relationship between gender stereotypes and sex differ throughout different cultures, and for the purpose of this article I will be referencing the societal norms in mainstream American culture. Regardless of one’s culture, it’s true that “the societies we live in construct the right and wrong way to behave as “men” and “women” and these are mapped onto ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ sexual practices, beliefs and behaviors.” (spl.ids.ac.uk) In addition, I want to note the especially detrimental impact that gender stereotypes can have on individuals who exist outside of the gender binary and don’t identify with the traditional man or woman construct. For the purpose of this blog, I will be mainly focusing on the harmful general relationship between sex and gender stereotypes- I will not be able to adequately address all of the implications of the gender binary in the context of non-binary folx and their experiences, I would much rather dedicate another blog post to this topic!

Sexual Gender Stereotypes

The relationship between sex and gender is contingent on something called gender stereotypes. A stereotype “is a widely accepted judgment or bias about a person or group — even though it’s overly simplified and not always accurate.” (planned parenthood) Planned Parenthood lists the following four different kinds of gender stereotypes:

• Personality traits — For example, women are often expected to be accommodating and emotional, while men are usually expected to be self-confident and aggressive.
• Domestic behaviors — For example, some people expect that women will take care of the children, cook, and clean the home, while men take care of finances, work on the car, and do the home repairs.
• Occupations — Some people are quick to assume that teachers and nurses are women and that pilots, doctors, and engineers are men.
• Physical appearance — For example, women are expected to be thin and graceful, while men are expected to be tall and muscular. Men and women are also expected to dress and groom in ways that are stereotypical to their gender (men wearing pants and short hairstyles, women wearing dresses and make-up.

These are examples of gender stereotypes that can be seen in our daily public lives, and they “are harmful because they don’t allow people to fully express themselves and their emotions…it’s harmful to masculine folks to feel that they’re not allowed to cry or express sensitive emotions…t’s harmful to feminine folks to feel that they’re not allowed to be independent, smart or assertive.” (planned parenthood) There is also a fifth kind of gender stereotype- sexual gender stereotypes.

By: Alyssa Morterud