Gender Inequality: An Issue or an Individual's Choice?

By Hannah Ross-McAlpine

“Women have been taught that, for us, the earth is flat, and that if we venture out, we will fall off the edge-” Andrea Dworkin

If you live in country, like New Zealand, you are most likely enjoying some of the highest levels of gender equality in the world. We are a nation that has afforded women the right to vote, the right to make their own choices, to live independently and have legal protection from any gender based discrimination. By comparison, we've made strides that many countries only aspire to.

So why are some feminists still talking about gender inequality in New Zealand, surely any inequality we experience is a result of individual choice?

In order to answer this question one must turn their attention to gender stereotypes. There is a unique pervasiveness to gender stereotypes in comparison to virtually all other forms of stereotyping. Gender stereotypes tend to be prescriptive rather than descriptive; meaning they indicate and influence what many people believe men and women should be. But how influential can a few stereotypes like ‘women belong in the kitchen,’ actually be? Surely only a few women experience messages like these?

Well not quite, we are all exposed to gender stereotypes from a young age, most as early as the day they were born. Were you wrapped in a blue or pink blanket at the hospital?  These ideas about gender shape our identity. It is the stereotypes introduced in childhood that are reinforced throughout our lives and become self-fulfilling prophecies.

Gender stereotypes can be illustrated by asking individuals to describe a typical man and a typical woman. Across 30 different countries college students described the typical man as; adventurous, assertive, aggressive, independent and task orientated. In comparison a typical woman was described as: sensitive, gentle, dependent, emotional and people orientated.

Before their first birthday children are able to distinguish men from women and by the age of three they can identify their own gender, showing favor to it. As a result, they begin to form stereotypical beliefs and preferences about stories and toys. Furthermore, toddlers display surprise when adults behave in ways that are inconsistent with their gender role.  Although biology and evolution play a significant part, it is clear children learn and adopt stereotypes from their parents and other role models.

Beliefs about gender are so deeply ingrained that they influence the attitudes and behaviour of parents as soon as their baby is born. Researchers found that within 24 hours of birth parents saw their sons as stronger, larger, more alert and co-ordinated in comparison to girls who were seen as softer, smaller and more finely featured. Despite these differences in perception there were actually no differences between the newborns in height, weight or other aspects of physical appearance. Adding to this perception disconnect, it was found that mothers of young children underestimated their child’s crawling ability if their child was female and overestimated it if the child was male.

Unsurprisingly, this difference in perception is not limited to thoughts, subsequently it affects the behavior of parents too. Mothers are much more likely to interrupt their female children to warn them of physical risk than they are with their male children. By the age of six years old, all children, regardless of gender, believe that girls are at greater risk of injury than boys, yet this is not actually the case, statistically boys experience more injury than girls.

However it is not only parents that facilitate the persistence and perpetuation of gender stereotypes. Another very effective mechanism for perpetuating stereotypes is the media. The most pressing and perhaps dire concern about the existence of stereotypes in the media is how depictions can influence viewers, often without viewers knowing it. Studies indicate that men who have seen sexist commercials behave in ways that are more sexualised and treat women in objectifying ways, having been primed with images of women as sex objects on TV. Have you seen any of these commercials recently and would you recognise them as sexist?

Yet the consequences do not stop there, TV commercials that show stereotypical women have a significant impact on women who view them. Women watching such commercials were more likely to express lower self-confidence, less independence, and fewer career aspirations. They were even more likely to perform poorly on a math test in comparison to those who viewed counter stereotypical ads. How many of these have you seen in your life?

Recent research shows the work force also facilitates the persistence and pervasiveness of stereotypes. There is growing evidence that when presented with an equally qualified man and woman gender considerations enter into the decision making. Men are often the preferred candidates for ‘masculine’ jobs such as managing, whereas women are preferred for so called ‘feminine’ jobs such as being a receptionist.

One of the most pervasive and inhibiting gender stereotypes that women face in the workforce presents them with an impossible dilemma; women are seen as more competent if they present themselves with stereotypically masculine traits, yet when they do so they are also seen as less socially skilled and less attractive. Such perceptions may ultimately prevent women from achieving their career goals or gaining new jobs.

There are a number of studies that demonstrate that success and likeability are positively correlated for men and negatively correlated for women. When men are successful, they are liked by both genders however when women are similarly successful they are often viewed as selfish and both genders dislike such women. By behaving in ways necessary to achieve success in the workforce, women face severe social consequences. Yet when men behave ambitiously, assertively, confidently and achieve professional success they receive on-going positive reinforcement.  

The research discussed is merely a simple illustration of the numerous and ingrained gender stereotypes we experience. The research highlights distinct gender differences in how we experience the world and what we are taught is gender appropriate. These ‘gender lessons’ are persistent and perpetuated throughout our lives.

In light of these stereotypes we consciously and subconsciously create social, cultural, professional and emotional barriers that hinder our ability to achieve gender equality. These barriers mustn’t be dismissed as a woman’s individual choice. Just as stereotypes once facilitated a racist, segregated society, modern less obvious stereotypes significantly influence a woman’s ability to make choices. If such gender stereotypes are ignored and not challenged, we may never experience or know a society that has truly achieved gender equality.

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