Gender Roles in Russia and Cuba

Societies have always had traditional ways of life, such as, gender roles, celebrations, religions, educations, etc. Gender roles vary in different countries all around the world from relative status, labor, marriage, inheritance and socialization such as education and child care. As the years go by traditions begin to change, and people alter their ways of life. A wide variety of things are now more accepted in today’s time. Traditionally in the United States women are the nurtures and men are the money makers. Recently with times changing women are beginning to work outside of the home, put their careers first, and then begin a family. Men are beginning to stay at home more and be Mr. Mom. In countries around the world such as Cuba and Russia, the gender roles may be exactly the same or complete opposite.

Men and women are often stereotyped by the everyday society. Men cannot cook, fold clothes, clean the house, or even take proper care of the children. Women are stereotyped as bad drivers, followers, and unable to manage finances. Stereotypes have been around since the beginning of time and manage to stick now matter how much the roles have reversed.

In Russia “society was structured around gender divisions of labor and authority” (Ember 1862). Women who are newlyweds are known to be submissive to their spouse until they have children, and one being a son. The son(s) will eventually take the mothers place and work side by side with their father. Females grew up knowing that they would join the men in “previously male only” (Ember 1862) jobs. Jobs range from construction, running machines, running and laying down roads and railroads. Women who were “free” had the option to take up a job in nurseries and day...

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...(Ember 585). That means teaching children as young as infancy values and discourages selfishness, blankets, and pacifiers. Early socialization like this occurs in the child care centers. Children are encouraged to be considerate of others, and think about other classmates’ well-being. By a child’s teen years high school is required, which includes a year of socialization in the industrious life. Many children spend a year away from home in a boarding school to receive that type of experience. This gives them the opportunity to develop more social skills, and values. Youth who want to attend secondary education must pass an exam and those who are best suited will attend technical schools. Education is fully funded by the government including pay to the students for housing, and food.

Works Cited

http://www.globalexchange.org/countries/americas/cuba/2162.html