Women Empowerment Culturist, Essayist, Thinker, Social and Legal Activist on advisories on family law in India, Evolutionary Developmental Feminist, Social Activist and Campaigner for Women’s Rights, Multiple State, National Award Winner and Internationally acclaimed Multiple World Record Holder, Suicide Prevention Expert, Renowned name in Contemporary Literature Authoress Mayaa SH in a candid conversation on Social Influences on Gender Development and Gender Roles and Mental Health.
What are the Social Influences on Gender Development?
Social Influences on Gender Development. Just as there are biological influences on gender development, there are also social influences on gender development. Observation is one of our most important survival skills as humans. Children watch and observes those around us from a very young age m and, eventually, try to mimic them. This phenomenon is called the “Social Learning Theory”.The social environment has long been recognized as an important context for human development in general and gender development in particular. Children’s environments are replete with cues about gender appropriateness and models of gendered behavior. Children receive direct and indirect feedback about their gendered behavior such as the reward of social approval by peers or parents. As a result, gender role differences appear early, especially in domains where the environment is strongly gender-differentiated such as in the realm of play or children’s media. From early in life, boys and girls show gender-differentiated preferences for color, toys, and same-gender peers. There are various contemporary theories of gender development with a focus on Social Cognitive Theory that have evolved with time in this regard. The five principles of social learning theory are observation (seeing a behaviour), attention (how much we notice the behaviour), retention (how well we remember the behaviour), reproduction (whether or not we repeat the behaviour), and motivation (our drive to imitate the behaviour).The “Social Learning Theory” argues that we learn gender roles from imitating people around us, which we call models. By imitating and receiving reinforcement, we internalise new behaviours and gender roles.Another theory of “Social Role Theory” argues that widely shared gender stereotypes develop from the gender division of labor that characterizes a society. In western societies, men’s greater participation in paid positions of higher power and status and the disproportionate assignment of nurturant roles to women have created stereotypes that associate agency with men and communion with women. In addition, the gendered division of labor gives men and women differentiated skills. When gender stereotypes are salient in a group because of a mixed sex membership or a task or context that is culturally associated with one gender, stereotypes shape behavior directly through the expectations members form for one another’s behavior. When group members enact social roles that are more tightly linked to the context than gender, such as manager and employee in the workplace, these more proximate roles control their behavior rather than gender stereotypes. Even in situations where gender stereotypes do not control behavior, however, men and women may still act slightly differently due to their gender differentiated skills. Generations of a family are interdependent. Children are influenced by the changing realities of their family environments. Families are changed by the changing capacities and resources of individual family members. As children mature and form families of their own, they bring some of the experiences they have had as young children into their relationships as marital partners and parents. This kind of model of intergenerational transmission is especially relevant for thinking about the process through which cultural values, beliefs, and practices influence the life course. Children learn much about the complementary roles that are enacted by their parents as they coordinate their behaviors with those of their caregivers. As a result, internalization of societal expectations occurs in part through participation in complementary role relationships.
What is the Role Of Gender In Mental Health?
Gender roles are societal expectations and norms that define how individuals should behave, act, and present themselves based on their perceived sexual attributes or gender identity. Cultural, historical, and social factors often influence these gender-related roles and vary across different societies and time periods. Gender roles often affect the way individuals express emotions. For example, men may feel pressured to suppress emotions, such as sadness, fear, or vulnerability, as they are expected to embody stoicism and strength. On the other hand, women may feel pressured to prioritize nurturing and caregiving roles, which can result in neglecting their own emotional needs. The suppression of emotions can lead to increased stress, internal conflict, and difficulties in forming authentic connections with others. Sometimes, expectations related to gender stereotypes may interfere with an individual’s well-being and personal growth. Gender roles can significantly impact mental health, influencing individuals’ emotional well-being, self-esteem, and overall psychological state. Here are some ways in which gender roles can negatively affect mental health:
(1) Emotional Suppression:
Gender roles often affect the way individuals express emotions. For example, men may feel pressured to suppress emotions, such as sadness, fear, or vulnerability, as they are expected to embody stoicism and strength. On the other hand, women may feel pressured to prioritize nurturing and caregiving roles, which can result in neglecting their own emotional needs. The suppression of emotions can lead to increased stress, internal conflict, and difficulties in forming authentic connections with others.
(2) Self-esteem Issues:
Conforming to rigid gender roles can impact self-esteem. Those who feel they do not meet societal expectations based on their gender may experience feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, or a sense of failure. For instance, men who don’t fulfill the traditional masculine ideal of being strong and successful may develop feelings of shame or diminished self-worth. Women who struggle to meet unrealistic standards of beauty and femininity may experience body dissatisfaction and lowered self-esteem.
(3) Perfectionism and Pressure:
Gender roles may impose high expectations and pressure on individuals to adhere to societal norms. Men may feel compelled to demonstrate constant competence and independence, while women may face pressure to excel in multiple roles simultaneously (e.g., career and family). The pursuit of perfectionism to meet these expectations can lead to chronic stress, anxiety, and feelings of overwhelm.
(4) Stigma and Discrimination:
Individuals who challenge or deviate from traditional gender roles may face stigma, discrimination, and social rejection. For example, men may be less likely to seek help for mental health concerns due to the societal expectation that men should be strong and resilient. On the other hand, women may be less willing to seek help for postpartum depression due to cultural ideas about motherhood and caretaking.
(5) Limited Opportunities and Growth:
Gender roles can restrict individuals’ opportunities for personal and professional growth. For instance, women may face barriers in pursuing careers in male-
dominated fields due to stereotypes and bias. Men may feel limited in expressing their interests or pursuing non-traditional hobbies due to fears of judgment or ridicule. These limitations can lead to frustration,not satisfied in life, and a sense of unfulfilled potential.
Those who defy gender norms or embrace non-conforming gender roles may face unique mental health challenges. For example, women who choose not to have children may experience societal pressure or judgment for deviating from traditional gender roles. They may face criticism or feel ostracized for their decision, which can contribute to feelings of isolation, guilt, or self-doubt. Additionally, those identifying as transgender, genderqueer, or non-binary may face discrimination, stigma, and systemic barriers that can significantly impact their mental health. Fear of rejection and violence can lead to chronic stress, anxiety, and trauma. Studies have shown that transgender individuals have higher rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns compared to the general population. Of those identifying as transgender, 82% have contemplated taking their own life, and 40% have attempted suicide. These figures indicate a significant disparity in suicidal ideation between transgender and cisgender individuals, prompting an urgent need to provide mental healthcare services to those more likely to experience gender-related stigma and violence. Supportive social networks and mental health resources can help mitigate the negative impact on mental health. Thus, in addition to connecting with supportive communities, it may be beneficial for those living outside of traditional gender norms to seek mental health support.
About The Author
Known as Lady Gandhi and a Trailblazer in the field of developmental feminism and contemporary literature, Mayaa SH is an Indian author who has quintessentially changed the tidal waves of time by openly and frankly writing bold about contemporary issues of women and the experiences of numerous women. Mayaa is a part of a generation of Indian writers whose work centre on observations and experiences of many rather than colonial experiences, and her powerful writings, poetry, memoirs, and essays has brought her respect and national and international acclaims in equal measures. Mayaa SH is a prominent Indian poetess, memoirist and a known name in Contemporary Literature whose work is known for her open discussion on women’s rights and voices and experience of being an Indian woman. Most of her writings deal with women living in a patriarchal society (male-dominated society), Female sensibilities are deeply spread through her writings along with her extensive work for gender neutrality. Mayaa SH is best known for getting logical congruence for understanding the role of tradition and societal dogma in shaping women’s lives and identities speaks on how she underwent character assassination and the resistance she culminated as the urge to not react. A versatile genius, a poetess, a novelist, an essayist, a columnist and a podcaster she has been a favourite with her readers and critics alike. She is known for her bold expression of social behaviour which otherwise is labelled as brutally real. Mayaa SH is a legendary in epitomizing the modernization of the Indian feminine poetic psyche. Her writing is a very strong expression of feminine sensibility.
