Factors Promoting Stereotyping of Gender Roles: A Sociological Study on the Families in Kerala

Soorya Gopi

Abstract

This study deals with the factors promoting the stereotyped gender roles in contemporary society. The study identifies family and religion as the important factors which promote gender roles that are stereotype. The study analyses the role of family especially parents in influencing pre-set gender roles and the reaction of people towards diversions from stereotyped gender roles. It is based on the reactions of 80 families in Calicut city in Kerala, India. The reaction and attitude of parents towards gender stereotyping is accounted. The study confirms the interesting idea that most of the parents are reluctant to any type of diversion from gender stereotyping. The present paper attempts to implicitly draw on both individual experiences and sociological insights of people towards pre-set gender molding. The study also highlights the religious reasons that promote stereotyping of gender. The idea is to throw light on various barriers which are to be unraveled to facilitate gender equilibrium in society.