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What are Gender Barriers?
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There are obvious differences between men and women. For years, these distinctions have made it difficult for women to advance in the political, professional, academic and athletic world. It has also made it hard for men to enjoy roles that are much more traditionally assigned to women. However, the double standards and unequal treatment begins immediately and in the home.
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It is important to first understand how society differentiates between terms associated with gender and sex.
Gender Roles - behaviors, beliefs, attitudes and values society considers apropos for males and females based on their biological sex.
Gender Identity - an individual understands and embraces their prescribed role.
Gender Presentation - this is how one is perceived by others; it is their personality.
Sex Typing - this is when people are treated differently according to their biological sex.
Unfortunately, there are previously determined models of how certain social groups feel that individuals should behave, and how one should live as a male or female. The problem is that typically males are one way and females behave differently. A problem arises when individuals conduct themselves in non-traditional ways.
For instance, a teenage boy wishing to participate in field hockey or a girl wanting to join the ice hockey team. Societal pressure makes it difficult for these individuals to interact with peers because they are often the targets of mockery. Sexist jokes, derogatory statements and questions of sexual orientation come up.
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In 1971, less than 300,000 women participated in sports. Only one percent of high school varsity participants was female and less than 32,000 intercollegiate athletes were women. In 1996, 2.4 million or 40% of the varsity team members were female, a dramatic increase since Title IX.
Prior to Title IX, approximately 2% of funds were budgeted for women’s athletics
Low-income women lost their right to higher education when Congress and President Clinton enacted a new welfare law in 1996. If an individual receives public assistance, then their privilege to attain higher education is revoked.
By 1994, women and men were being trained in high wage, high-skilled occupations, but women in these highly skilled professions were being paid less than men, but making 20-30% more than women in conventional jobs.
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