Whether we want it or not, gender impacts our everyday experiences, shaping not only our identities but also how society expects us to behave, look, and feel. These expectations can be understood through two key concepts: gender roles and gender norms. Although often used interchangeably, gender roles and norms play slightly distinct roles in influencing both individuals and society at large.
In this article, we’ll explore these two concepts, provide some examples and unpack how they shape the opportunities, behaviours, and expectations placed on individuals, impacting their rights and freedoms in society.
In a nutshell: The term gender roles refers to the tasks, behaviours and functions society associates with people based on their genders. Gender norms, on the other hand, are the unwritten rules that dictate how one should behave based on their gender. They can be more difficult to detect, as they operate on a deeper level of core beliefs.
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| Gender Roles | Gender Norms |
| Defined tasks or functions assigned to gender based on social conventions and tradition. | Unwritten social rules about gender behaviour, dictate what is considered normal or appropriate in a given society. |
| Often tied to specific responsibilities in work, family, or society. | Influence personal choices and social interactions. |
| More visible and explicit. | Subtle and internalised, often unconscious. |
| Can be challenged by actively sharing responsibilities, and accommodating the roles to fit individual needs and priorities. | Can be challenged by raising awareness and changing attitudes, questioning the rules we take for granted. |
Examples of Gender Roles
Gender roles, as the name suggests, are deeply embedded archetypes and functions associated with a specific gender. Some of the most entrenched roles include:
#1. Breadwinner and Caretaker
In many societies, there is a deeply entrenched expectation that men should be the breadwinners, earning money to support their families, while women should be responsible for managing the home and taking care of children. These roles have shaped workplace policies, family dynamics, and even education systems, often prioritizing men’s participation in the workforce while overlooking or undervaluing women’s contributions.
While for some people this dynamic can work, its enforcement can be oppressive, particularly towards women, who are in this dynamic relegated to a much greater dependency. Within this role, women with dreams of a life different from that of a housewife are often frowned upon and even criticised for not performing their “feminine duties.” On the other hand, men who would prefer to be a stay-at-home parent while their partner focuses on their career are often ridiculed and their masculinity is questioned. With that in mind, it is important to remember that different arrangements work for different people, but we all should have the freedom to break out of norms that cause harm.
#2. Doctor and Nurse
Think about a doctor and a nurse. Who do you picture in mind?
Most people intuitively still picture a man in the doctor’s role and a woman as the nurse. This stereotype continues despite significant advances in gender equity within healthcare professions, and the fact that women overtake men in areas such as higher education. Unfortunately, the association of men with more powerful and influential positions persists because traditional gender roles associate men with authority and leadership, while women are commonly seen as natural caregivers suited for supporting roles.
This bias has real-world consequences. Women doctors are often assumed to be less competent or mistaken for nurses, while male nurses are sometimes fast-tracked into management positions because they’re seen as exceptions to the norm.
#3. Daughter and Son
While the roles of parents often carry some of the strongest and most deeply ingrained expectations, less frequently discussed are the gendered roles placed on children, specifically as daughters and sons. From the beginning of their lives, children are often subjected to societal norms about how they should behave, based on their gender. If you think about it, you can realise that “Is it a boy or a girl?” is often one of the first questions asked of a fresh or even expecting parent. This early categorisation sets the stage for the gender roles children will be expected to fulfil throughout their lives.
Daughters are usually expected to be nurturing and helpful. They often take on more domestic and caregiving duties, like helping with younger siblings or household chores. The “eldest daughter syndrome” is a good example, where the oldest girl is expected to care for the family, mediate conflicts, and put others’ needs before her own. This can lead to pressure and limit her ability to focus on personal goals. Sons, on the other hand, are often given more freedom and independence. While the eldest son might have some leadership responsibilities, they’re generally not expected to carry the same emotional or caregiving duties as daughters. Sons are encouraged to follow their ambitions and are often given more room to pursue personal growth.
On the other hand, gender roles within family dynamics can be particularly difficult to navigate for trans and non-binary people. Whether as children, siblings or parents, their experiences often do not fit into these traditional norms, which is one of the reasons why they are much more likely to become estranged from their families or homeless.
Examples of Gender Norms
Gender norms, as previously mentioned, are often more covert and elusive than gender norms. They operate in culture and society, but are also largely unconscious, relating to some of our implicit beliefs and assumptions. These can include things such as:
#1. Ageing and Beauty Standards
An example of such deeply embedded gender norms is beauty standards, which affect women the most (although many men and non-binary people struggle with them too). For example, society tends to view ageing in women negatively, while in men it is often accepted as a sign of maturity or wisdom, with grey hair and wrinkles symbolising experience and authority.
Beauty culture is so pervasive that it’s often dismissed as a basic necessity, branded as “hygiene” or “self-care,” when in reality it is a laborious, ongoing process that demands significant time, money, and energy. Whether it’s waxing, dieting, using makeup, or spending money on expensive products, the expectation is clear: to be considered beautiful, women must meet the ever-growing and often-unattainable ideal, often pushed by brands with dubious human rights track records. These gender norms negatively impact not only our self-esteem and mental and physical health but also have tangible material effects and can create barriers to opportunities or even impact their careers.
#2. Reproductive Labour
There is a widespread belief that caregiving, household chores, and other unpaid domestic work are naturally “women’s work.” This assumption undervalues the essential contributions of caregiving while discouraging men and people of other genders from taking on these responsibilities without fear of judgment. For example, a man who takes parental leave to care for a newborn might be praised as exceptional or, conversely, criticised for neglecting his career, whereas a woman in the same situation is expected to do so without acknowledgement. Non-binary parents often lack visibility or face additional hurdles, such as navigating gendered parental leave policies that disregard their identities altogether.
#3. Emotional Expressions
“Boys don’t cry” is a clear example of the gender norms related to emotional expression. It is entrenched in our culture that men are associated with explosive, external emotions such as anger, while women are “allowed” to experience affects such as fear or sadness.
This creates a cycle where men may struggle to seek help for emotional or mental health issues, while women can be unfairly labelled as “too emotional” in professional settings.
How Are Gender Norms and Roles A Human Rights Issue?
Gender norms and roles profoundly impact human rights, influencing access to opportunities, resources, and freedoms. These norms, deeply embedded in societal structures, reinforce gender inequality and perpetuate systemic injustices that violate fundamental rights to dignity, equality, and freedom of choice. Here’s a closer look at how gender norms impact human rights – and why addressing them is essential for creating a fairer world:
#1. Access to Education
In many parts of the world, traditional gender roles prioritize boys’ education over girls’. This leaves millions of girls without access to learning opportunities, violating their right to education. Education is key to breaking cycles of poverty, yet these norms deprive girls of the tools they need to achieve economic independence and fully participate in society.
#2. Wealth Gap and Financial Inequality
Jobs traditionally associated with women, like caregiving or teaching, are undervalued and underpaid. Even when women perform the same work as men, they are often paid less. This violates the right to equal pay, as guaranteed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Beyond unfair wages, this perpetuates economic inequality, limiting financial independence for women and deepening societal disparities.
#3. Political Representation
Women continue to be underrepresented in political and leadership positions, not because of a lack of ambition or capability, but because of systemic barriers reinforced by gender norms. These norms discourage women from pursuing leadership roles, violating their right to participate in public life. The lack of diverse voices in decision-making affects policies, leaving critical issues like gender-based violence or childcare unaddressed.
#4. Mental Health and Self-Expression
Rigid gender expectations take a toll on mental health. Men are often pressured to suppress emotions, leading to high rates of untreated depression and suicide. Women, meanwhile, may feel constrained by societal criticism of ambition or emotional expression. These expectations limit personal freedom, diminish self-esteem, and create barriers to seeking help – all violations of the right to mental well-being and self-expression.
#5. LGBTQ+ Rights
Traditional gender norms often exclude LGBTQ+ people, leading to discrimination, violence, and exclusion. These norms are particularly harmful to those who don’t fit into rigid definitions of masculinity and femininity, denying them equality and protection under the law. Addressing these issues is essential to creating societies where everyone can live authentically and safely.
#6. Health Inequalities
Gender norms often prioritise women’s roles as caregivers, leaving their own health needs overlooked. Access to reproductive healthcare, for example, is restricted in many societies due to cultural taboos or legal barriers. Mental health issues like postpartum depression also go untreated in many cases. These inequities infringe on the right to health and highlight the urgent need for gender-sensitive healthcare policies.
#7. Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
Perhaps the most visible and devastating impact of gender norms is the normalisation of violence against women. From domestic abuse to honour killings, these acts violate the right to life, liberty, and security. Survivors often face stigma or systemic obstacles when seeking justice, further entrenching cycles of violence. Addressing these norms is critical to ensuring safety and dignity for women worldwide.
Gender Equality: Learn More and Take Action!
Understanding gender norms and roles is the first step in challenging them. However, creating lasting change requires action. Whether you’re looking to educate yourself further, advocate for gender equality, or support organisations leading the charge, there are many ways to contribute.
#1. Books Exploring Gender Norms and Roles
Expand your knowledge about gender issues with these thought-provoking reads:
#2. Online Courses
Learn at your own pace by taking a free online course:
#3. Organisations to Support or Volunteer With
If you’re looking to support or volunteer with organisations advancing gender equality, consider organisations such as UN Women, Centre for Reproductive Rights, Equality Now, or Men Engage Alliance. For a detailed list, check out our article on ‘25 Organisations Fighting for Gender Equality.’