What are some stereotypes associated with the two common genders?

Male gender stereotypes associate men with being aggressive, unemotional, impatient, and nonnurturing. In contrast, female gender stereotypes associate women with being sensitive, emotional, patient, and naturally nurturing. (5)

These stereotypes are said to lead to sexism, which is prejudice towards males or females. (5)

It is only natural that these stereotypes exist. Societies in different parts of the world have a different set of roles that people are expected to follow, whether they have to do with gender or social class. Men and women are simply “socialized” to fit the expectations that fall from the two genders. Young boys are taught to hold in their emotions; young girls are taught to be open about their feelings. (5)

Video: Gender Identity vs Expression 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVYhpj6TtTI

This is a very opinionated video about how gender stereotypes are enforced. However, the girl in the video points out how people of different genders are looked down upon if they do not fit into the gender expectations, which an example of how stereotypes work. (5) A person who identifies as female, as said in this video, has a beard, which is traditionally  considered to be a masculine feature.

Enforced Stereotypes In the Media: Toys

There is also something to be said about stereotypes appearing in the media itself, judging by the two videos below:

These two videos show how lego toys are enforcing the stereotypes of girls liking pink and purple, while boys are more aggressive and like more violent things.

These stereotypes are harmful and can be detrimental to how children grow up. They can be drawn away from their potentials because of these influences that the media gives. Women are expected to fall into certain roles and they are less likely to get into positions of power. Other people who define themselves as something other than heterosexuals or cisgender are also less likely to get into positions of power, simply because society will not allow it.

Enforce Stereotypes in School: Abstinence Only Until Marriage (AOUM) curricula

In the United States, heterosexuality and cisgender as the norm has been prevalent in sexuality education. (4) The stereotypes addressed have also been implicitly taught in these classes. For instance, they describe testosterone as a “male hormone” that leads to “male desire” being portrayed as natural. (4)

Even though both sexes have testosterone, boys are still encouraged to be more aggressive and more sexual than girls, who are objectified. (4)

Objectification is “the reduction of women to their bodies, body parts, or body functions that exist for the use and pleasure of others and implies that a woman’s body can represent her as a whole”. (4)

In addition, girls are taught what makes a “good girl”: someone who does not have sexual desire. (4) However, this is detrimental to the girls, who are more vulnerable to sexual coercion. (4) In fact, they are held responsible for preventing males from attacking them sexually. (4)

Of course, the AOUM curriculum also enforces the idea of sex being between a married man and woman. (4)

Overall, children are being affected by these stereotypes. Even though it can be subtle (as for the ads and the comments) or blunt (the AOUM curriculum), people are still influenced by these stereotypes and society works to make them real.

People accept these stereotypes because society as a whole (or just a majority) has not dictated that they are wrong.