1. Define gender roles. In what way do parents treat sons and daughters differently? How do sons and daughters typically respond to this treatment?
These are a range of behaviors or roles that are considered appropriate and acceptable with a person’s gender, mainly determined by the existing cultural norms and society's beliefs (Fine-Davis, 2016) . In most cultures, as much as parents aim at avoiding any form of bias in handling their children, there are still variations in how they parent their sons compared to their daughters. The gender bias favors male children more. For instance, fathers tend to invest more time in their sons compared to their daughters. This is because they can undertake common masculine activities together. Moreover, parents are more interested in school-related activities for their sons compared to daughters. This even goes a long way in ensuring the boys achieve their full potential as opposed to girls.
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This preferential treatment negatively impacts girls. It leads to low self-esteem. The girls feel unwanted and are depressed. Their social skills are affected, and they struggle too much to belong.
2. How is children’s play influenced by gender roles? Think back to your childhood. How “gendered” were the toys and activities available to you? Do you remember gender expectations being conveyed through the approval or disapproval of your playtime choices?
Gender stereotyping has influenced the way children play and the toys they use. Most boys generally prefer playing with toys such as trucks, blocks and action figures, whereas girls play with dolls. Most sports and activities they engage in are mostly due to stereotyping. Moreover, boys will tend to enjoy playing more with other boys, so will girls.
When growing up, I preferred playing with toys such as cars, trucks, balls and puzzles. These are considered more masculine. I also liked kicking the ball around often, throwing it here and there. This is what my parents encouraged me to do whenever they wanted me outdoors. They enjoyed watching me kick the ball around. Occasionally, they would invite a friend over to join me, preferably a boy.
3. What do you think it will be like to be ten, twenty, and fifty years older than you are now? What facts are your assumptions based on? Are any of your assumptions about getting older false? What kind of sociological study could you establish to test your assumptions?
I believe growing up makes one gain a clear understanding of different aspects of life. Life itself changes as one gets older. There are biological, psychological and social changes that take place. The whole concept of responsibilities comes in to play, and at some point, you are not the priority anymore, someone else is. The family will become essential, and that will demand maturity of some level. Pursuing my career goals as well as my other life objectives, will present a conundrum.
Growing older usually means growth and development concerning finances, family, career and social aspects. It means intellectual clarity that will help someone adapt to different situations perfectly. I believe Erikson's theory of human development best substantiates my thoughts and assumptions on aging.
4. Have you known any person who experienced prejudice or discrimination based on age? Think of someone who has been denied an experience or opportunity for merely being too old. Describe your observations and the effect the experience had on the individual.
Age discrimination is prevalent in today's world. For instance, my neighbor, who had been divorced for two years, tried online dating. He found a nice girl he liked and arranged a date. He was in his mid-forties. It turned out the lady was quite younger, barely twenty-five years old. The lady disrespectfully told him off because of his age, suggesting that he was too old and weak. She walked out almost as soon as she had arrived.
These and other forms of discrimination based on age are uncalled for and entirely unnecessary. This is because they impact on the lives of the older people negatively (O'Hanlon, 2018) . My neighbor has been pessimistic towards dating ever since. Sadly, it took only one unfortunate incident to sway his perception of the whole dating idea.
5. Research and explain Swedish sociologist Tornstam’s theory “gerotranscendence” and identify the fundamental sociology theory behind it. Do you agree or disagree with his idea? Why?
Lars Tornstam proposed the theory in 1989. He carried out a series of quantitative studies to determine the theory of gerotranscendence. He established that aging is a natural developmental process that led to maturity and acquisition of wisdom. A slow shift follows this progression in an age in the meta-paradigm of an aging person, which he referred to as gerotranscendence. It is a shift in meta-perspective from a materialistic and rational view of the world to a more cosmic and transcendent one, usually followed by an increase in life satisfaction (Tornstam, 1999).
I agree with Tornstam's theory. This is because of the theory's applicability to practice. Moreover, it presents a new perspective on developmental and situational shifts concerning older people's lives.
References
Fine-Davis, M. (2016). Attitudes to gender roles. Changing gender roles and attitudes to family formation in Ireland. https://doi.org/10.7765/9781526100672.00009
O'Hanlon, A. (2018). Aging and development: Theories and research. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203783665
Tornstam, L. (1997). Gerotranscendence: The contemplative dimension of aging. Journal of Aging Studies, 11 (2), 143-154. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0890-4065(97)90018-9
