The Change in Women’s Roles Throughout Generations

The Change in Women’s Roles throughout Generations

Generation after generation, the idea about required characteristics and traits of men and women seem to stay the same. Men are supposed to be hard-working and the breadwinners while the women are supposed to stay home, handle chores, and raise their children. What if that idea, overtime, was reversed? Would that uplift the mentality of some people? As generation Y met generation Z, the ideal characteristic of a specific gender role would revolutionize into a different perspective. Gender roles are reflected in education, professional achievement, and family income contributions.

 In the 1950s, women were not encouraged to pursue their education with a high degree. Currently, more women are expected to earn more graduate degrees than men according to boundless.com. In present time more and more women are educating themselves and are determined to gain equal rights as the opposite gender.

In history the U.S military has only allowed women to serve as nurses but, a new law has passed. The typical role of women in the military has changed. Now, women can have leadership positions as opposed to just nursing.  According an article in the Atlantic, “They’ll be able to serve as Army Rangers and green Barrett’s, Navy SEALs, Marine Corps infantry, Air Force para jumpers, and everything else that was previously open only to men. Both genders are becoming just as equally dedicated and hard-working.” ("Atlantic,"n.d.)

In the article, “Pink Think”, women are described as gentle, soft, delicate, and nurturing. Over the past 50 years, gender roles have been reversed, revolutionized, and put into a different perspective. Women are just as equal to men. Women are strong, independent, dedicated, and hard-working individuals. Gender roles do not define people in today’s society.  

Women have been known for being the homemakers while men are the moneymakers in present society the majority of American households have two income earners which suggest women are active in the workforce now. Women are encouraged as time moves forward to educate themselves and reach for higher goals in their professional careers, especially by today’s society.