PRESSURE AND DEMANDS FOR MASCULINITY AND FEMININITY TRAITS IN YOUTH

INTRODUCTION

The term “patriarchy” is derived from the Greek word “Patriarkhes” which means “the rule of the father”. In a patriarchal society, men possess the majority of the power and possess predominant roles of leadership in politics, moral authority, social privilege, and property ownership. Some patriarchal civilizations are patrilinear, which means that wealth and titled are passed down through male linage. The exact definition of patriarchy is the practice of senior males dominating younger males and females in a family, tribe, or idea, combined with the continuation of male linage. The focus emphasis on men's "control" or "power" over women in the family and in society at large, namely control over their productive and reproductive activities. Patriarchy is defined as “a system of social norms and structures where men control, subjugate, and exploit women”. It is a set of social relations between men, that have a material foundation and, although being hierarchical, establish or foster interdependence or solidarity among men so that men can rule over women.

Gender Conceptualization

Gender is a fluid category. It represents the societal divisions between men and women. A number of psychological characteristics and attributes that society has associated with the biological category of sex serve to distinguish these categories. Psychological characteristics include competition, which we associate with men, and emotionality, which we associate with women. Gender role is a term that more accurately describes how culture affects the biologically based classifications of male and female. Men are often thought to be strong, independent, and competitive. People do not expect them to show their feelings. These traits define the role of the male gender. Women, on the other hand, are often expected to possess the warm, caring, emotionally expressive, kind and helpful qualities that define the female gender role. In other words, we anticipate males to exhibit masculinity and anticipate women to exhibit femininity. The behaviors, traits, and interests that society has allocated to the masculine gender role are referred to as masculinity while behaviors, traits and interests associated with the female gender are referred to as femininity. Gender roles constitutes gender identity. Perception of ourselves as psychologically male or female is known as our gender identity. Gender ideologies are the attitudes that has been referred to males and females. According to a traditional gender ideology, men's domain is the workplace and women's domain is the home. The underlying premise is that men possess more authority than women. Second, an egalitarian gender ideology where men and women hold equal amounts of authority. There is an equal emphasis on home and work for both genders. A third, transactional perspective it is appropriate for women to put effort into both their professional and personal lives but men should put proportionately more of their efforts into their careers. Biological theories explain genetics, hormones, the anatomy and physiology of the brain, as well as variations in cognition, behavior, and even gender roles between men and women. Multiple research findings have concluded in gene studies of femininity and masculinity. One such study examined the effects of genetics and environment on sex-typed behavior in 3- and 4- year-old twins . The authors concluded that that sex-typed behavior was significantly influenced by both genetics and environment, but that the genetic influence was greater in girls than in boys.

Cultures with Multiple Genders

Many cultures assume to have only two genders male and female. In several African and Native American cultures where there are multiple genders. These cultures have adopted very different concept of gender roles. The Lakota Indians in North America, who today live in South Dakota, institutionalized the name "berdache". In this culture male berdaches are identified as third gender. The male berdache is by far more prevalent of the two genders. Despite having a female biological gender, the male berdache exhibits traits that are common to both genders in look and behavior . These are males who would rather care for children and sew clothes than be soldiers. The berdache was revered and regarded as sacred in the past. The berdache had the highest prestige among the genders and was thought to possess spiritual powers. However, in modern times, the berdache's standing and respect have declined. Balkans in European Mediterranean Peninsula are another culture with multiple genders. In Balkans, people essentially take on other gender role to meet the demands of society . Some biological females are raised as males when the society is in need of those traits and functions best served by men. These Balkan females adopt a masculine social identity. They are vowed to chastity and forbidden from getting married. Balkan females are held in high regard . In Juchitan, Mexico a third gender named as “muxe”, who are biological male, dress like girls and perform activities often associated with women in the culture, are given the highest rank in the culture. Agta Negrito, Philippines challenges the typical gender roles. Women hunt in this society, and they are equally successful. Women's fertility is not impacted by hunting. Women at age of menarche, age of first pregnancy, and age of the youngest child are not different than those who do not hunt. They believe that women who hunt are capable of raising children as well. Tahiti, a French Polynesian culture, where women and men share many of the same social roles. In terms of social prestige and recreational options, women are on same level with males. Women and men not only play similar responsibilities in society, but they also have comparable personalities. Men and women are not under any obligation to act in a particular way or in accordance with gender roles. Men, on the other hand, do not feel the need to take chances in order to demonstrate their manhood. Even their language reflects how similar men and women are; there are no pronouns for gender. Instead of competition, the society is built on collaboration.