Every teenager, at least once in their lifetime, has been pinpricked either by their parents or by their relatives or even their peers about the things they do which they feel are not particular to their gender. As for an example, if a guy likes pink or wears anything in pink he is mostly considered gay ( there is nothing wrong in being one) and is bullied for dressing in colors that are only meant for girls! Let me tell you this, Dude, they are just colors, there nothing wrong in wearing any color. We like them because it makes us happy and confident in our own way!
The above scenario is a true example of gender roles. These ways of behaving in a society makes the teenager confused, stressed and to doubt himself for who he is. And FYI, gender and sex are two very different terms they aren’t alike at all! So please do not mix these two words up!
Now you might be thinking what are these ‘Gender roles'? In simple words, Gender roles are ways of dressing, acting and speaking that are assigned and acceptable by the society for a particular gender.
Gender roles affect the lives of many teenagers. They lose their confidence, makes them emotionally imbalanced, and mostly depressed cause according to them, they aren’t like others and how the society wants them to be! I have been dealing through this feeling my whole life and still am trying to make people understand that there shouldn’t be any differentiation between the genders and one can do whatever he/ she wants to. As we know, the young men are always being told to be strong, fearless, aggressive and sportive and on the other hand, the young girls are supposed to be gentle, caring and soft-hearted. And there is nothing wrong about this but what is incorrect that if a guy possesses any of the female qualities or vice versa, they eventually become a target and are bullied for that one single quality where as the other qualities, that they posses, are eventually ignored. This does nothing but shatters the person’s self esteem from within.
To break all this stereotypes, one should be educated since their childhood itself from the first institution for learning the values, that is, their family. Also, there should be seminars held in public educational institutions to help students to be more independent and more confident in what they want to do, by shunning away the expected gender roles of the society.
Expressing emotions for guys has been an issue too since ages! A guy shouldn’t cry when he hurt rather than that being ignorant and hard- heartened. If this is what society expects from a guy then what’s the use of him having the lacrimal glands in his eyes, duh?
Also, another thing that is caused due to this gender roles is that teenagers are afraid of their sexual identity. One cannot be confident to accept himself as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Listen there is nothing wrong in being a gay or a lesbian because that doesn’t define you! What defines you is your determination to achieve your goals and how as a person you truly are!
So to all the beaus and belles out there, BE CONFIDENT, DON’T LET PEOPLE JUDGE YOU FOR WHO YOU ARE, IF YOU ACCEPT YOURSELF FOR WHO YOU ARE YOU CAN BE A VOICE TO OTHERS WHO DON’T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY! YOU CAN BREAK ALL THESE STEREOTYPES! And if you have any difficulties for accepting who you are or if you are being bullied or are depressed or feeling suicidal, Don’t worry! We, at AWTL are making our best efforts for all you teens facing such problems.
But always remember, as in the words of the brilliant English actress, Emma Watson, “Both men and women should feel free to be sensitive. Both men and women should feel free to be strong…it is time that we all perceive gender on a spectrum not as two opposing sets of ideas.”
Stay strong! Be yourself!
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