Gender-Role Conflict in the works of Kate Chopin Essay Example

and being burdened by her husband's will, she experiences immediate grief upon hearing of his passing. However, this is soon overshadowed by a sense of relief, freedom, and even joy at the prospect of moving on from her former roles. She takes pleasure in her newfound identity and independence until her husband unexpectedly returns home, revealing a mistake. For further reading, consult the lifetime fitness mission statement.

Illustrating the oppressive nature of marriage for women in earlier times, this story highlights how a woman with a preexisting heart condition dies instantly. Women were expected to obediently follow orders and were deemed "economically dependent and legally inferior, whatever their social class" (Craig, et al., 2006). Unfortunately, most women in unhappy marriages had no legal means to end their situation.

Mrs. Mallard's strong reaction to her husband's passing suggests that she may have been living in a desperate, stifled, and captive state for a considerable amount of time. This implies that she may have desired her own voice and had reduced expectations placed upon her. Kate Chopin excelled at articulating women's innermost thoughts and emotions, many of which were previously considered taboo and unexplored in literature.

In her writing, she discusses the emotions that arise from being confined by the societal roles we are born into. As sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, sisters, and brothers, these roles may not come naturally or comfortably for everyone and can feel like a burden. This theme is explored in The Awakening through the character of Edna, who feels dissatisfied with her roles and attempts to escape them in various ways.

Due to the lack of

social acceptance for her unconventional escapes, Edna couldn't fully embrace her true self. With judgmental eyes surrounding her and occupying a position of power within the community with her husband, Kate Chopin aimed to convey the overwhelming emotional burden that comes with societal expectations to act as a "lady". Eventually, Edna reached a crucial level of self-awareness where she no longer found joy conforming to the roles enforced upon her, leading to her "awakening".

In the sea, Edna's awakening occurred, which prompted her decision to end her life instead of enduring the toxicity of her existence. Chopin's unreserved writing about feminine sexuality defies the tradition that regards women as merely subservient participants in marital relations. Edna's sexual self-realization in The Awakening empowered her to refrain from intimacy with her spouse and seek other male partners without shame.

Throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s, women struggled with gender-related difficulties that are reflected in Kate Chopin's literary works. These societal obstacles caused many of her female characters to face criticism for their morality, as they were often unable to express their frustrations and sorrows openly. Additionally, women during this time period were denied equal access to education, employment opportunities, and legal rights.

Kate Chopin's literature presented a genuine depiction of the daily experiences of her era and illuminated the hardships that women encountered. Her artistic expression allowed women to have a platform and enhanced our comprehension of gender inequality struggles. Regrettably, these problems persist today, rendering it arduous for women to attain equal standards of living as men. Women continue to receive lower salaries than men despite performing identical tasks, resulting in obstacles for single mothers and females

in general. It is imperative to address gender inequality across various platforms and levels to avoid additional role conflicts.

Economic dependence can create a feeling of entrapment and hinder women from pursuing their goals. Additionally, women are often responsible for childcare, leading to a lack of opportunity to explore personal interests, and resulting in isolation and potentially depression. According to Harvard University public health experts, gender inequality can cause depressive symptoms in women (Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week, 2005). Redistributing parental responsibilities more evenly could empower more women to feel fulfilled. Women may become entrenched in the ideologies that perpetuate their current situation.

Mothers and wives are expected to sacrifice their identity for the sake of others, especially if they also have a career. The pressure can lead to intrapsychic conflict, depression, stress, guilt, shame, aggression, and envy. In addition to work-family conflicts such as unequal division of labor in the home and unequal work environments. These stereotypical roles perpetuate traditional gender socialization that teaches women to internalize self-blame for failing to perform adequately. Unfortunately, some forms of therapy may collude with these gender expectations instead of helping women negotiate their multiple roles.

Due to their own cultural influences, psychological professionals such as my friend Sarah may inadvertently reinforce harmful and unrealistic societal ideals. Despite managing a high-pressure job, two young children, a household, and a marriage herself, Sarah had to take time off work frequently when her youngest child fell ill in his first year of life. Her husband risked losing his relatively new job if he took time away, but Sarah had already been successful and established in her career for five years.

Throughout the year, her

apprehension for her son's well-being and job-related stress caused her to frequently miss work. This resulted in a demotion and reduced income at a time when medical expenses were on the rise. Her overwhelming responsibilities led to anxiety and depression, which required medication to manage and function normally on a daily basis.

Similar to numerous other women, Sarah could not handle the stress of juggling multiple responsibilities. She believes she falls short of being an adequate mother and career person, and hopes that as her children grow up, these problems will diminish. Additional support would reduce her reliance on medication for emotional stability. Traditionally, a wife’s position was expected to be subordinate.

Although historically women were expected to prioritize their husband's wishes at any cost, there have been some positive changes. However, traditional values still exist and result in gender inequality and conflicting roles for women due to cultural and religious customs. Fortunately, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark have implemented solutions to address these challenges. Through education and facilitating conversations on this subject matter, it is possible to resolve these issues. For instance, Finland serves as an excellent model for reducing gender disparities while finding ways to balance household duties with childcare responsibilities.

Men are anticipating equal involvement in typical parenting responsibilities, such as accompanying their children to medical checkups and meetings with teachers. They strive to use gender-neutral language, as evidenced by the fact that the Finnish language uses the same word for "her" and "him."

In 2008, Ashenmacher observed that women in Finland have been granted voting rights since 1906 and are highly respected in their community. This is demonstrated by the fact that they receive an extensive

105-day paid maternity leave. Societies that prioritize motherhood, like those found in Nordic countries, ultimately lead to greater satisfaction for women who choose this profession.

Although raising children is of immense importance, society tends to undervalue this role, resulting in stigmatization. This stigma is particularly widespread today due to the increasing prevalence of dual-income households. Individuals who choose to stay at home and care for their children are viewed as indulgent because they do not adhere to stereotypical expectations. However, caring for children and managing a household requires more than full-time effort. Furthermore, devaluing motherhood specifically has a negative impact on women's self-esteem and identity. Ultimately, greater acceptance of those who do not conform to stereotypical expectations would lead to increased happiness for all.

According to Khaleque (2008), women's psychological well-being is linked to partner and remembered paternal acceptance. Finland, where no gender limitations exist, results in happier and healthier women of all socioeconomic statuses. Though some criticize Nordic countries for welfare support of single mothers, research shows benefits for both the mother and children in these households. As it can be challenging for both parents to be present in a child's life, reducing family impact makes sense and can lead to a smaller economic divide with less distinction between lower classes.

A lack of responsibility or presence from one parent should not burden their children. To reduce the impact of gender-role conflict and give women more freedom without guilt, awareness can be brought to this issue. Improvement can also be made politically, such as enforcing laws that grant paternity leave for men. This will allow them to take on a more active role as fathers and

reduce stress in the household for the mothers.

One way to balance the impact of parenting on mothers' careers is for companies to provide incentives for fathers to participate in school events, doctor appointments, and family sick days. In addition, women must educate themselves on candidates' positions on women's issues and use their majority status to effect change through a movement that could create more opportunities for them outside the home.

Offering support services to employees dealing with medical or family issues could be a solution to reduce the stress of managing multiple responsibilities. If companies allowed remote work, a mother caring for her sick child could work from home or a hospital using the internet. Calls could be forwarded to their cell phone to accommodate their needs. A law protecting parents during personal or medical hardships, similar to maternity leave, would also benefit job security upon return. Lastly, programs teaching girls self-worth and independence are crucial.

Tools that are essential for women to handle life's demands include the ability to assert themselves while remaining refined. Having a voice and self-respect will encourage respectable behavior from others while preventing self-criticism. Regardless, some situations may provide more than the human capacity to handle, and seeking help or admitting defeat could improve mental state without shame.

In the end, implementing self esteem programs targeted towards girls could result in them becoming better mothers, wives, and members of society - a benefit to everyone. Kate Chopin fearlessly spoke up about injustice and the limitations placed on women as multi-dimensional beings. These issues continue to exist for many women today. It is vital that we take steps to support women who

struggle to meet expectations, mitigate depression, and improve general happiness.