gender "roles": traditional or unconventional???

United States
May 15, 2007 2:42pm CST
We all know the traditional gender roles, where the man is supposed 2 be the provider and protector, and the woman is supposed 2 be the nurturer, who takes care of the home and the children. Of course, in THIS day and age, MANY couples DON'T subscribe 2 this way of being. There are women who make more money than their men, or are the SOLE "breadwinners" al2-gether; there are men who are "stay at home" dads", or, even if there are NO children in the equation, some men are STILL at home, while the woman is out working, supporting them. Then, in some couples, BOTH the man and woman do a little bit of everything EQUALLY, or close 2 it. And there are all types of "arrangements", across the board. Some say that the traditional way is best, because we are naturally "wired" 2 handle those positions best. Women are naturally better nurturers. Men are naturally better providers, better "hunters". Others feel it boils down 2 TEMPERAMENT more. There are naturally AGGRESSIVE women (who might be more suited 2 the "hunter" role), and there are naturally PASSIVE men (who might be naturally more nurturing, and better in a SUPPORTIVE role). And, also, in some relationships, the "roles" go back & 4th, depending on the situation. So, which is "better"? Which do u think makes 4 a long lasting, more fulfilling relationship? Traditional or unconventional? Somewhere in between? WHATEVER works 4 the 2 people involved? Which 1 r U? Which do U prefer? What are your thoughts?
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2 responses
• United States
15 May 07
I for one beleive in the traditional role, yet can compley with the unconventional role only because times have changed drasticly. I think it comes from the civil rights movement and the 19th amemendment ETC... when women started to want to be equal to men... roles have changed and so has the thought process of men... alot of women today are pushed up to the forefront to take care of there homes because some men lack that ablitiy...(not all)its very hard to find a traditional family to play traditional roles... you have allot of single mothers... and fathers.... I for one would like my household to be equal. today its hard to make a living and unless you have a great job making about 80 thousand and up a year I can't see just one parent working and the other staying home.
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@Gorgeous24 (1091)
• United States
16 May 07
I guess I would say I live a more traditonal life, but I dont discriminate on mothers who are the "breadwinners" in thier families. I think its great we have evolved into a time when we have those choices because at one point in life women could only stay at home and raise the children but now we can go out..get the same job as a man & even make more than he does. we have come along way since our parents time and it only keeps getting better.
• United States
16 May 07
Yes, we HAVE come a long way! I don't discriminate against ANYONE's choice of how they live their own lives! As long as they're not INTENTIONALLY hurting themselves, or someone else, I don't have ANY problems! While ALOT of people still subscribe 2 "traditional" roles, I personally think that those "roles" are SEXIST, at the core. Alot of women complain about sexism in society, yet EQUALLY subscribe 2 sexist views, just like men! So, in the context of an intimate relationship, I say it's WHATEVER WORKS 4 the 2 people involved! As long as BOTH people AGREE 2 it, then more power!
1 person likes this