Lesson 13

OTHER APPROACHES
The Humanistic Approach
This approach is based on Roger’s theory that does not directly explain the process of gender role
development

Ideal self and conditional positive regard are the main concepts in this regard. Roger’s theory. In the
process of gender development conditional positive regard can be seen as a set of expectations for
gender roles, and ideal self can be understood as gender appropriate behavior. To achieve positive regard
gender appropriate behavior becomes an ideal self for an individual.

Like boys are told that cooking is for girls, in the same way we can portray cultural stereotype as
conditional positive regard for individuals and to achieve this regard he/she develop concept of ideal self
that results in his/her gender appropriate behavior

This approach not directly explains the process of gender development so no research data is found from
this perspective

Cultural Influences
Technological advanced have affected the societies in following ways: Women are transferred to the less
influential social sphere of home Men are associated with the public sphere of politics, economy, etc.
Women are fighting for becoming independent Archeology. Feminine role is defined as subordinate to the
masculine role In non-industrialized countries males are considered self-reliant and achievers. Women are
regarded as nurturing, responsible, and obedient. The Western stereotypes for men and women are:
Men to be instrumental (assertive, competitive, independent)
Women to be expressive (co-operative, supportive, sensitive)

Some Gender Role Stereotypes

Male Attributes
Acts as a leader
Aggressive
Ambitious
Dominant
Forceful
Independent

Female Attributes
Compassionate
Gentle
Loves children
Sensitive to needs of others
Tender
Understanding

Understanding Gender Relations With Reference to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

• Maslow’s theory can be seen basically as a stage theory.
• Each stage is marked by a particular class of needs.
• The needs at one level have to be met before one moves on to the fulfillment of needs at a higher
level.
• Self Actualization is the most advanced human need marked by the desire to grow and utilize
one’s potential up to the optimal level.
 • Gender roles and relationship in a society affect the fulfillment of a person’s needs.

The Socio -cultural Approach

• The Socio-cultural Approach proposes that social factors, societal expectations, cultural practices,
norms, and values, all affect development of gender roles.
• The gender patterns adopted by children reflect the cultural emphasis on gender distinctions.
• Some societies make sure that gender distinctions are firm, and practiced, whereas others are less
concerned about this.
• In such societies skills taught to girls are different from those taught to boys.
• Throughout the world, young children and chicken are looked after by girls, whereas the larger
animals like sheep, cattle, or pigs are tended by boys ( Whiting & Edwards, 1988).
• When these distinctions are so seriously practiced, they get engrained in the minds and behaviors
of children as well as adults in the form of clear-cut and inflexible distinctions.
• In most segregated cultures, the boys are encouraged to be educated and to learn skills that can
get them a good source of earning.
• Girl’s education at higher levels is generally discouraged, and they usually get married early.
• In a study of Khmer refugees in the US, it was revealed that boys are urged to continue their
education; the girls are urged to get married and have children before passing out from high
school, in order to get protected against the corruptive effects of sexual permissiveness in that
society (Smith- Hefner, 1993).
• In most cross-cultural studies on preschoolers, it has been found that boys are encouraged to take
on different roles than girls.
• All societies and cultures have values and attitudes for desirable or preferred behaviors for males
and females, and these begin to be taught in early childhood.
• The variations in how different societies promote and teach gender roles, depend upon the
following:
• The region (we see regional similarities)
• The flexibility or inflexibility of cultures
• The socio-economic status of the person, group, or society in question.
• The historical period.
• The belief system, particularly the religious values.

The Epigenetic Systems Theory

• Emphasis is upon the interaction between the genetic endowment and early experiences.
• All aspects of behavior including gender related behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes are a result of
this interaction.
• The biological differences between males and females are given due importance and are
considered to be the origin of gender differences.
• Yet at the same time it is emphasized that environmental factors shape, enhance, or halt the
manifestations of the innate differences.
The Gender Script Theory
• This theory is a variation of the gender schema theory that includes an additional ingredient of
sequential order of events.
• Social knowledge regarding gender is organized in sequential form.
• As compared to gender schema, gender scripts contain events as an organized sequence.
• It is “an ordered sequence of actions appropriate to a particular spatial-temporal context,
organized around a goal” (Nelson, 1981).
• Children, thus, learn the particular sequence of behaviors performed by individuals with a
particular gender.

Conclusion
Development of gender-roles is a positive factor for socialization and adjustment process of an individual.
There are also some cultural differences, though the stereotypes of females being nurturing and males
being instrumental are very widespread across culture. Gender differences may be accounted for by a
range of biological, social, and cognitive factors.