Gender Norms
Gender norms are a set of rules, appropriating masculinity, and feministic behaviors to a particular group in society. Typically, these norms affect people’s lives ranging from minor issues such as clothes deemed appropriate for different individuals to more serious issues such as who deserves to be ostracized(Allan, 1). However, failure to conform to these norms often attracts prejudice and criticism from the society, with those violating them perceived as less competent.
Like many people, my brother and I became exposed to gender norms at a tender age. Particularly, my father tended to compare my younger brother to me, in the spirit that boys are stronger compared to girls who need protection. Therefore, growing up, we believed that being a man one needed no protection, but rather have to be strong on your own. However, when I was in 7th grade, I could not fail to notice how unfairly a group of seniors treated my brother in school such that I could not take it anymore. Eventhough it was the responsibility of the male to protect the week, I could not take it anymore and therefore I decided to stand-up for my brother and confront one of his bully.
Consequently, things did not turn out as I expected, instead, I was branded the bully and suspended from school for two weeks. Although my intentions seemed wrong to many, watching my brother suffer in silence in light of gender norms sanctioned my actions. Therefore, even without the society acknowledging that am supposed to look after my little brother, I felt satisfied not only having protected him but also for standing against such social norms.
Work Cited
Allan, Alexandra. “Masculinities and Femininities Through the Years: Boys and Girls Constructing Gender Identities Through Communities of Practice”. Sex Roles, vol 60, no. 5-6, 2008, pp. 442-443. Springer Science and Business Media LLC, doi:10.1007/s11199-008-9533-0.