Questions Regarding Gender Roles

I was given a set of questions relating to someone’s post about gender roles. Although I don't feel it's a real or essential topic, I'll do my best to answer the following with my own personal opinions.

The questions are as followed:

1. Were our ancestors wrong to assign gender roles?
2. Are gender roles still necessary today?
3. Do the expectations that come with gender roles cause frustration and stress?

Regarding the first question, I think it’s best to examine gender roles and how it affected an older society. It’s obvious that many cultures believe every gender had its roles. The reasons can be examined with cultural or religious beliefs. For example, in the bible, Eve was created from Adam’s rib and of courses ate the fruit of the forbidden tree.  Being exiled from paradise, Adam had to work and survive for a living and provide for his family. There are more stories in the Old Testament that also talks about stories and reasons why a male is suggested to be more dominant than a female. If we examine other cultures and tribes, a female was different because of their rationality, emotional influences, lack of strength, and ability to give birth. Controversially females could also be used for expansion, wealth and even slavery purposes. Along with examining cultures, different societies or tribes, we see males as being dominant because of their strength and usefulness to the survival of a society. In conclusion, I don’t believe it was wrong that ancestors assigned gender roles, because they had to do what was necessary to survival.

Regarding the second question, I believe it’s both necessary and not necessary. It’s necessary because it’s preserves cultural norms, social structure, values and personal identity. I also believe it’s not necessary because it’s my belief that one should live to be happy and should strive to achieve the means to live happily by living the way they want. In addition, if we look at the cultural norm in Japan, where guys can dress very feminine, and the cultural norms in Western society, we can also see differences in cultural norms. 

Finally, regarding to the final question, I believe the only reason a gender role would cause frustration and stress is if one is dissatisfied with the cultural norms associated with a gender role; has personal discomforts with themselves or with their own gender roles; or find personal preference in the gender role which is not of their own because of cultural influences or personal desire.  

In conclusion, I would further examine the effects of a change in gender roles would have on a current and future society. I think it would be important to examine the influence on future birth rates, economy, family structure and cultural norms and traditions.

Discussion can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/socialjusticewarriors/posts/825240954209412?comment_id=825281637538677&notif_t=comment_mention