Interview With Men In Non-Traditional Roles

Men In Non-Traditional Roles

This paper takes a look into the lives of three males breaking out of their gender stereotyped roles in society. These males avoid the boundaries traditional thinking has tried to impose on them and embark on their own as what they like to call "pioneers in the men's equality movement."

Introduction: The Men

First off, this paper will introduce the three "pioneers"; changing only their names for the sake of privacy--per request. Subject 1--Arnold, is a househusband of four years. He is raising 2 children, is responsible for housework and care giving, as well as maintaining the overall balance of the home environment while his wife works. Subject 2--Dale, is a receptionist for a female dentist. Subject 3--Howie, is a "nanny". He is responsible for maintaining the day care activities of toddler to school aged children in a reputable after school program.

The Problem

These three men all feel they have faced much adversity in reaching their levels of functioning within society. Claiming that they have been subject to harassment, illusions, and general disgust due to the fact of the position they play within their societies, these men admit to wanting to give up and conform to more traditional roles at times.

Subject 1

Arnold states that once he was married and agreed to be the stay-at-home dad he began to lose friends based on the mentality "since his wife wore the pants he must wear the skirt". Arnold states that the lack of male companionship began to negatively affect him. He started to have issues of self esteem which almost caused him to resent his children and wife. He admitted that he checked into family counseling where he met other househusbands and learned that there are many in his situation. Arnold stated that he now "goes out with the guys" again, only now it is the "Daddy and Me" group instead of the former friends trying to inflict a sheltered mentality on him.

Subject 2

Dale did not have as difficult a time adjusting to his job as a male receptionist. He claims it was the best opportunity for him. He works for his mother and now has a prospering relationship with her. Since ...

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...der neutral males not playing into society's role stereotyping exist then males feeding into the bias. The fact that role stereotyping is such a "norm" is just representative of the problem and that were it not such an issue more males would admit to being non-traditional. When asked, many females claimed that their boyfriends were not traditional in their thinking. So the question that comes to this student's mind is thus: If so many males avoid falling into a role stereotype then why do they feel they must hide this from society only allowing those close to them to witness their true selves?

Conclusion

Role stereotyping, most likely will always exist because society as a whole is responsible for shaping roles. The ideology behind it will stay the same and little change will be effected. Perhaps the best means possible to assure everyone does not have to live a biased based life is to handle each person separately. Individuals are responsible to accepting and helping each other fostering growth. Perhaps only then, changing one at a time, will society be able to see how allowing a gender neutral role stereotyping is beneficial to the whole.