Sullivan: "Most of the research on attitudes and values conducted in the 1980s found that there had been a movement toward a rejection of traditionally defined gender roles. This mainly took the form of a greater acceptance of nonfamilial roles for women, particularly among younger women with higher levels of education, and a rather less clear movement toward acceptance by men of a more familial role (p. 212)."
Me: "That would make sense. The 1980s was just decades after the Women's Rights movement, and women were starting to have more freedom to break out of the barrier of the traditional feminine roles. Especially since women I know from the 1950s were encouraged to go to college and pursue a degree in something- to make something out of their life. I know I do not want to throw away my eight years of college education to be a housewife."
Sullivan: "...[W]omen have been much more prepared than men to reject traditional gender role attitudes... (p. 213)."
Me: "I agree with your statement. Gone are the days of the cheerful housewife who always had to do all the housework, watch the kids, and stay overly happy, regardless of how hellish her day was, and then listen to Mr. Hubby complain about his work day. Now, a lot of women are turning to the work force instead of being penned up at home all day. They can do the housework on their own time and if they don't feel like watching the kids all day, there is always a daycare or a sitter. Men, on the other hand, go by the same rule that their ancient male ancestors followed: Project themselves as someone who can handle himself and can protect and take care of others, i.e. the family. Even in this day and age, if a man projects himself as otherwise in any way, he is labelled either 'not manly' or 'gay'."
Works Cited
Sullivan, Oriel. "Changing Gender Practices within the Household: A Theoretical Perspective." Gender and Society. Vol. 18, No. 2. Apr 2004. pp. 207-222. JSTOR. Sage Publications Inc. 18 Sept 2008. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/4149433>.
