Gender Role In Society Essay Example

Michael. Furthermore, his absence and lack of support as a spouse worsen the situation.

Leonie turned to drug use as a result of the tragic murder of her brother, Given, by her husband's cousin. As a mother of two children, Leonie was deeply affected by the profound loss of her younger brother whom she loved dearly. The immense sadness caused by Given's absence ultimately drove her to resort to drugs. While under the influence of excessive drug usage, Leonie has spiritual experiences where she feels the presence of Given.

Leonie's consistent drug use is rooted in her need for her brother's moral support in order to prevent herself from self-destructing. Another factor influencing her drug use is her brother Michael, who also has his own traumas that lead him to use drugs and eventually be sentenced to prison. In the midst of coping with her brother's death and her husband's absence, Leonie resorts to drugs to maintain her sanity. Additionally, she faces numerous racial issues in the society she lives in. It is evident that Leonie's excessive drug use hinders her ability to be a supportive mother.

According to the text, Leonie's inability to express love for her children stems from her intense affection for her husband and brother. Prezi.com suggests that this incapacity to meet traditional gender expectations as a mother and daughter may be attributed to Leonie's failure to identify with her own mother. This absence of identification hampers Leonie from being a nurturing and supportive mother to her two offspring, which contradicts the stereotype of an affectionate and caring maternal figure. Consequently, this emphasizes how society and culture construct gender norms. Despite being a mother,

Leonie falls short in fulfilling her obligations towards her children due to lacking the appropriate mindset.

Jojo's development of his own characteristics and viewpoints within society is influenced by the absence of his parental presence. According to scalar.usc.edu, there are different perceptions of gender identity or the perception of being male or female when it comes to traits and characteristics considered appropriate for males and females in sociocultural terms. This implies that Leonie's perspective on gendered identities includes the belief that both men and women use drugs in similar ways. However, the reasons behind drug use vary between genders. Men often turn to drugs due to work-related stress, difficult decision-making processes, and facing consequences, while women approach drug use differently. Women engaging in drug use may result in outcomes such as neglecting their children, losing the ability to display positive behavior towards them, and serving as negative role models as parental figures.

Masculinity is another negative stereotype. According to The Washington Post, a real man is expected to be stoic, unemotional, physically strong, and a protector. He is not supposed to show weakness or vulnerability. This societal expectation is similar to Leonie's role as a mother, as she puts herself in a position to support her children and maintain a strong demeanor in front of them.

The text discusses Leonie's struggle to simultaneously act as a strong, unemotional provider for her family while her husband is away, and as a loving, nurturing mother figure. It recognizes that there are moments when it becomes challenging for Leonie to embody the stereotypical "man" role in front of her children. Traditionally, society expects men to be responsible for their kids by

meeting their needs, protecting them, and showing affection. However, Leonie finds it difficult to meet these expectations due to her inability to control her emotions and maintain clarity of mind. As a result, she is unable to offer the necessary guidance and support that her children need from a parental figure. Ultimately, Leonie's drug use prevents her from fulfilling the role typically associated with being a "man" for her two children.

Leonie's emotional instability and avoidance of responsibility negatively affect her ability to be a proper parent to Jojo and Kayla. This demonstrates the need for a male influence in her life to provide guidance and love as a mother to her two children. Previously, Leonie relied on her brother, Given, as this figure who supported her emotionally and helped her navigate the challenges she faced due to her gender and race. However, without the presence of both Given and her husband, Leonie struggles to maintain mental stability, leading her to turn to drug use as a means of seeing her brother.

In this passage, the text highlights Leonie's reliance on a male figure in her life, emphasizing her feminine aspect. She believes that she lacks the qualities necessary to be a nurturing mother and feels incapable of providing for her family. The portrayal of stereotypical feminine attributes by Leonie is connected to the gender roles depicted in the book. On page 48, it is evident that Leonie avoids being scolded by Mama because she fears repeated chastisement as a negative example through Mama's plant lessons.

Leonie acknowledges that she falls short as a mother, admitting, "The one I’m never good enough for. Never mama for. Just Leonie,

a name wrapped around the same disappointed syllables I’ve heard from Mama, from Pop, even from Given, my whole fucking life." (Leonie, 147) Her main struggle is self-doubt and the inability to trust herself in caring for others. Despite being aware of her shortcomings, she fails to take action towards improvement. She yearns to rely on her family and is blinded by love for her husband, causing her neglectful behavior.

Leonie's lack of a male figure in her life results in her children, Jojo and Kayla, comforting each other without her intervention. Despite being physically able to reach out and touch them both, she chooses not to. Leonie believes that the responsibility of loving her children should fall on the shoulders of a male figure. This belief leads to Jojo taking on the role of a parent to his younger sister. Jojo, at a young age, exhibits maturity and seriousness uncommon for his age due to his mother's irresponsibility. However, despite his intelligence, he struggles to understand Leonie. Throughout the book, Jojo fills the void left by his mother by caring for his sister and observing the events around him. His love and affection for his grandfather, River, who is Leonie's father, is evident.

The text highlights how Jojo is eager to emulate his grandfather, using it as a way to prove his maturity in facing death. An article on TheAlantic.com explains that Jojo's understanding of manhood is complicated due to the people and places within his family history. This suggests that Jojo is part of a difficult family dynamic, with a black mother struggling with drug use and a white father incarcerated at the violent Parchman

penitentiary. Growing up in such circumstances while having the responsibility of caring for his three-year-old sister weighs heavily on Jojo. He feels it is his duty to be the antithesis of his parents, providing a positive example for his younger sibling. In general, the story explores the distinct gender roles played by Leonie and Jojo in their relationship.

The text demonstrates how gender roles have influenced their personal lives and how their respective roles work together to support the family. Leonie's absence of a male figure prevents her from embodying maternal traits, causing Jojo to assume responsibility and compensate for her shortcomings. This exemplifies how their gender roles manifest in their characters and unfold throughout the narrative.