Gender-Specific Specialization at Work

Since times unknown, women face conditioning with regards to their gender. Be it the professional fields or personal fields, women have always had to face stereotypes. Gender roles and norms are something that cannot be avoided under any circumstances.

Expectations from a woman to serve the family, take care of their partners, do household chores are things that women have been fulfilling for centuries. However, rather than sitting and expecting everything like before, women have decided to fight back this time. They have decided to raise their voice against the apparent “right” and inevitable “wrong”.

Work Stereotypes

If we move a little backward, in the mid-twentieth century, we will witness what amount of inherent suffering women went through due to their gender. For instance, they were not allowed to pursue higher education after completion of school. Or, even if they were permitted to do so, a limit was set to arts or home sciences courses.

This pertinently happened because it was an unsaid notion that the sole purpose of a woman’s life is marriage and raising kids. So, according to society, home sciences would have helped them do household work and let them stay at home.

Professions like engineering, pilots, defense, and every other tough job belong to a man, as per the society. If we go by society’s hidden rules and regulations, women were good with work that did not invite them to go out and struggle. This is a very problematic mindset that has stayed in people’s minds for ages.

Multitasking

While women are born as people who can engage in multitasks at one point in time, expecting them to always do so is what calls for concern. It is not the sole responsibility of the woman to take care of the family. It comes to be an equal responsibility for both partners.

Burdening women with tasks around the house even after knowing that they have to go out to work is beyond explanatory. Multitasking is not only for women as the generic notion goes, it should be evenly divided.

Changes in Current Times

Though things have not completely seen a turn from the twentieth century to the twenty-first century, there is a considerable amount of change. Now, women have become more aware of their basic rights and roles. They have started taking the front seat in every sector, with them being the leads in a lot of firms.

People have started realizing to some extent that keeping women indoors will not stop them from achieving miles. They are born to fly high. From flying airplanes to leading private firms, there is nothing that a woman cannot do. A woman shines bright everywhere she goes.

With elders and society becoming more and more accepting and open, convincing them about gender stereotypes is becoming a little easier. However, there is still a long way to go.

Still a Long Way

Although things might seem better now, there is no absolute change in thinking. People still expect women to serve their husbands once they come back home after a tiring day at work. Women have to prioritize between having a baby and pursuing their dreams. They have to still fight at home for pursuing education after their apparent “marriage” age.

Though women are going out and obtaining the job of their choice in current times, they still possess a fear of losing.  Fear of facing sexism at job fields, fear of losing their jobs owing to familial responsibilities and, a constant fear of rejection due to their gender identity.

Till the time a woman overcomes all of these fears, there is not much that has been achieved.

Conclusion

With times changing and gender equality knocking on our mindset doors, people are re-thinking their previous notions. It is time that certain things become loud and clear. Firstly, that women can do anything and everything they wish to. Secondly, they should only face encouragement and respect for their professional choices. And, lastly, all their work at home should not be limited to them. A proper responsibility division is of utmost need in the family.

It is high time that terms like gender expectations and gender-specific should be put into the back seat, and women should not be viewed through a judgmental lens for choosing what they want.

For more articles, click here: Basic Women Rights in a Work Space