Gender roles refer to the expectance and conduct that are usually interrelated with men and women in an intimate partnership.
These roles are mostly traditional, where men are expected typically to be the breadwinner and women the caregiver or they can be more unbiased with shared responsibilities and flexible roles.
The impact of gender roles on relationships can be both positive and negative, depending on how the couple navigate these expectations.
Traditional Gender Roles:
Men:
Noteworthy, men are often seen as providers, protectors, and decision makers. This can manifest as taking on the financial burden of the household, being assertive and independent, and leading in decision-making.
Women:
On the other hand, women are often expected to be the caregivers, nurturers, and homemakers.
Impact of Traditional Gender Roles:
Potential Benefits:
Some couples find that traditional roles provide a sense of stability and clear expectations. They may feel comfortable with the division of labour and appreciate the established dynamic.
Potential setback:
Traditional roles can lead to feelings of imbalance and resentment if one partner feels overwhelmed or undervalued. For example, a woman might feel stifled by the expectation to stay at home, while a man might feel pressured to be the sole provider.
Satisfaction:
it had been studied and concluded that couples with more traditional gender role attitudes may report lower relationship satisfaction compared to those with more egalitarian views.
Egalitarian gender role includes:
Shared Responsibilities:
In egalitarian relationships, roles are more flexible and shared. Partners may both work and contribute to household tasks, childcare, and emotional support.
Communication and Flexibility:
Egalitarian relationships can foster greater intimacy, mutual respect, and a sense of partnership. They can also reduce the pressure on individual partners to conform to traditional expectations.
Manoeuvring Gender Roles:
Honest Communication:
Couples should openly and honestly discuss their expectations and desires regarding gender roles. This should include talking and agreeing on how tasks are divided, financial responsibilities and even emotional support.
Flexibility and Adaptability:
It is important to be willing to adjust roles and responsibilities as needed. Circumstances change, and relationships should be able to adapt.
Support and Encouragement:
Partners should support each other’s goals and aspirations, regardless of traditional gender expectations.
Professional Guidance:
If couples are struggling to navigate gender roles or feel that traditional expectations are causing conflict, seeking guidance from a therapist or counsellor can be helpful.
Balancing Traditional Gender Roles:
Once in a while, there should be a switch in gender role as there may often be misconception and probable misconstruction of roles that may lead to friction, misunderstanding and eventual loss of the relationship.
To curb gender bias, while the man is sole financial provider, the woman may assist financially. If the relationship is marriage bound, then, there should be clear role alignment.
Traditionally, men are expected to be the providers, protectors, and decision-makers in the family. They are often seen as the head of the household and are responsible for the financial well-being of their family.
Where the woman earns more financially, the man should ensure that the woman is not coarsened to take more responsibilities, rather, through his action and love, the woman can easily opt to take more responsibility.
It is an unsaid rule that women are traditionally assigned to roles that are related to domesticity, childbearing and rearing and general support.
They are expected to manage the household, care for the children, and provide emotional support to their husbands. But where the woman has to work extra hours to earn more, the man should equally rise up to the occasion to ensure the woman do not burn out at work and at home.
Implication on Relationships:
Decision-Making:
The traditional expectation of the man as the head of the household can lead to power imbalances in decision-making.
Division of Labour:
While there are changes, traditional gender roles still influence the division of labor within the home, with women often carrying a heavier burden of domestic work.
Career and Financial Stability:
Men may prioritize career and financial stability, while women may shoulder more responsibility for childcare and household management.
Communication:
Traditional gender roles can influence communication patterns, with men potentially prioritizing task-oriented communication and women emphasizing emotional connection.
Emotional Expression:
Men may be programmed to suppress emotion, while women are expected to be emotionally expressive.In conclusion, open and honest conversations, kindness and willingness to lend a helping hand and living in understanding and love will go a long way to ensuring gender role balance in relationships.
Written By: ThankGod Enaholo Airiohuodion (Awake Nigeria)
