The Complexity of Gender and Societal Roles

Looking back at our second podcast - this blog post dives into historical contexts, personal reflections, and the push for inclusivity.

The conversation around gender roles and societal expectations has never been more crucial—or more complex—than it is today. As our understanding of identity evolves, we find ourselves grappling with deeply ingrained beliefs, historical contexts, and the tension between tradition and progress. In our second podcast Eastin and I found ourselves exploring these themes, reflecting on our responsibilities, and challenging our own perceptions.

This blog post captures those thoughts, aiming to encourage deeper consideration of these vital issues and inspire action toward a more inclusive world.

The Evolution of Gender Roles and Societal Expectations

Reflecting on my initial discomfort with discussing gender issues, I realised it stemmed from not being part of those experiences. But as Eastin pointed out, it’s precisely because I’m part of the dominant group that I have a responsibility to engage. There’s a need to learn, grow, and help facilitate change. Historically, England wasn’t the first to subjugate others, but we certainly took it far too far. And it is this history that confers on us a responsibility to address the problems we’ve created, and the only way to do that is by getting involved.

Eastin’s observation that she hasn’t faced significant sexism—only small things—suggests a shift in the structural difficulties women face. However, this doesn’t mean the issues have disappeared; they affect different groups.

What we often call “traditional gender roles” are really just restrictive societal expectations, harmful to anyone who doesn’t fit them. With new genders emerging, these roles are not only outdated but they’re damaging to a new group of people who can’t, won’t, or don’t want to fit into prescribed expectations.

Early feminism was about equality for all, not superiority for any one group. And it’s founding principles apply to the gender struggles today.

It’s disheartening to see people fighting over their differences rather than uniting over common goals - particularly when they’re from backgrounds or societal groups who have themselves suffered as a result of gender roles.

When individuals break free from restrictive roles, they don’t just liberate themselves—they pave the way for others to do the same. The women’s movement in the 60s, for example, didn’t just break gender roles for women; it freed men from their constraints as well. Today, as we redefine gender roles, we are expanding freedom for everyone, even if it’s hard to see at first.

Expanding Freedom: A Collective Responsibility

The emergence of new gender identities doesn’t take away from others’ ability to remain who they are. Increased freedom doesn’t reduce anything for anyone; it only opens up more possibilities. It’s important to recognize that resisting this change has no valid foundation since nothing is being taken away from those who wish to maintain traditional roles. Instead, we should view this expansion of options as a collective gain.

There is the potential that societal response the new freedoms constrains others. But the new freedoms themselves - the increase in genders and ways of life - these do not constrain others. How society responds to and implements supports for these new freedoms, that can constrain others. An important difference.

Considering how gender roles might have developed historically, I’m intrigued by the idea that, before these roles existed, we might have been more like animals—simply doing what we could without predefined expectations. But the idea that biological differences, like women’s menstrual cycles, could be used by men in a manipulative way to control and “protect” women is a reminder of how societal roles can be shaped by those in power.

Gender and societal roles should not be linked.

Knowing a person’s biology is essential for medical reasons, but it doesn’t define what they can contribute to society. The idea that a specific role should be tied to a specific gender doesn’t make sense to me. What you can and want to do should be entirely separate from your gender.

Religion, Biases, and the Challenge of Change

Eastin’s religious perspective, which suggests that the differences between genders are a curse women will always struggle with, offers a thought-provoking angle. But outside of religion, telling anyone or any group that they will always struggle with something isn’t helpful—it’s a form of subtle oppression, keeping people in a box under the guise of care. This ties back to the broader societal issue of how religion may have played a role in creating the gender hierarchy we see today. Again, this is not the people or the freedoms that create the division and constraint; it is the societal response to those people and freedoms.

While Eastin pointed out that the Bible might be more balanced than I remember it, having only read it once in my twenties, with powerful positive female figures and flawed male figures, my initial perception was that it’s a male-led narrative with mostly flawed female characters. Reflecting on this, I realise that even these stories may have been misinterpreted or manipulated over time, leading to a skewed understanding of gender roles.

The debate about whether the chicken or the egg came first is a perfect analogy for the gender discussion. Both likely evolved together, just as societal roles and gender identities have. Eastin said she doesn’t believe in evolution (at the moment), which surprised me, and I responded by saying that I see evolution as evidence of a more imaginative and complex form of creation (whether gody or not gody). This perspective shows that binary thinking doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. Life is full of nuances, and we must accept people for who they are, not for what they appear to be.

Embracing Flexibility and Challenging Bias

Perhaps gender roles arose from a desire to easily categorise people, making interactions simpler. You see what you get, you get what you see. Nice and easy, eh. But not inclusive.

And now, we are facing the challenge of engaging with individuals without relying on assumptions. This requires us to actively check our biases. In today’s world, you can’t always predict what someone might be like based on their appearance, and that’s okay. We just need to be more open and adaptable in our interactions.

New age spiritualism often talks about “divine masculine” and “divine feminine” energies, but this can sometimes lead to the same old gender divisions, even among groups that pride themselves on free thinking. It’s a strange irony to see traditional roles reinstated under a new guise. On the other hand, some spiritual beliefs advocate for balancing both energies, like the concept of yin and yang, which is a more inclusive approach. (If I follow any belief system, it is Taoism - for which the yin yang is the primary symbol.)

Eastin suggests that some women might be drawn to these new spiritual beliefs because they feel pressured to reject traditional roles, even if they’re comfortable with them. This brings up an important point: freedom can feel restrictive to those who prefer the old ways. Change management is hard, and those advocating for freedom must ensure they’re not unintentionally constraining others, while those resisting change must be careful not to hold back progress.

Conclusion: A More Inclusive Future

Navigating the complexities of gender roles and societal expectations requires flexibility, understanding, and a willingness to challenge our own biases. As we continue to redefine these roles, it’s essential to remember that increased freedom for one group doesn’t take away from another—it enriches us all.

Unless society responds to those new freedoms in a way that constrains others.

We must strive to create a world where everyone is allowed to be who they are, without fear of judgement or restriction.

This is the future we are moving toward—a future where individuality is celebrated, and everyone is free. It’s a challenging path, but one worth taking. Let’s commit to standing up for inclusivity, not just for ourselves, but for everyone. The journey to a more inclusive world starts with each of us, and together, we can make it a reality.

Have a watch of the discussion here: