Gender Roles

There are natural roles that come with each gender role. During the 1800s, a man had to provide for his family while a woman stayed home and took care of the household chores and the children. World War II changed the roles. Women had to go to work while their husbands fought in the War, which led women to become more independent and to work in other professions. Today, women in America have the right to work in the same professions as men do. They can provide for a family or choose to be a stay home mother. Men can work from home and be a stay home father if they choose. Just because there are traditional gender roles doesn’t mean every family has to live that way. Each family needs to respect other family dynamics and choices even if they are different from theirs. Gender roles are passed on from generation to generation. If a mother works outside the home, their daughters may be more likely to work as well.

Some family situations involve a mother taking over the providing role due to the father having a tragic accident or disability where they can’t work anymore.

In the Mormon Church, we believe that the Father provides, protects and presides over the family. The Mothers are the primary caretakers. Sometimes in the church families judge other families if they don’t meet the traditional family standards. It’s not their place to judge because no one is perfect. The parents are “obligated to help one another as equal partners.” Families in the church complement each other to help make the family work together.

I believe that there should be gender roles, but that they won’t always be the same. Everyone has different circumstances like divorces, death, and tragic accidents.

I believe families should find gender roles that work for them and that they shouldn’t worry about what the world or other people think about them.