How Do We See Men and Women?
Popular culture tells us about the changing roles of men and women. True, significant changes have taken place: more women hold jobs traditionally held by men. Men have been increasingly encouraged to "get in touch with their feminine side." For all this talk of changing roles, however, are we seeing men and women any differently?
The panel shows the results of a Gallup Poll in which respondents were asked to identify characteristics that were truer of a certain sex. Men are still seen in traditional masculine, active terms. Sixty-eight percent saw men as aggressive, while less than half saw women with the same characteristic. Men are thought to be courageous, ambitious, and easygoing; in short, men are still seen as the strong, silent Gary Cooper type, climbing the corporate ladder in their gray flannel suits. Respondents believe that men are not supposed to be affectionate (5%) or emotional (3%). They also believe that under no circumstances should men be talkative (10%).
If a man is typically doing things, a woman is typically feeling them. A woman is still seen as an emotional creature. Ninety percent of respondents assigned this trait to women. They are often seen as possessing the qualities of a good wife or mother: women are affectionate and patient. Few people assigned such qualities to men. Women were seen as talkative (78%). They still are seen as leaning over their neighbor's fence, exchanging gossip as they hang up laundry.
Professor Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady posed the question: "Why can't a woman be more like a man?" In some areas, she is. Men and women were seen as ambitious at fairly similar levels: (44% and 33%, respectively). More women were viewed as intelligent than men (36% to 21%). This makes sense. More women are pursuing degrees and obtaining high-level, well-paying jobs. Many own their own businesses. Many men have women bosses.
Source: "Americans See Women as Emotional and Affectionate, Men as More Aggressive." Online. Available: http://www.gallup.com. April 17, 20 02.
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