Expectations of Women**

**Revised Essay Draft: Gender Socialization and Society’s Expectations of Women**

**Introduction**

Society is composed of many layers, and as we peel them back, we can see how much of our behavior is shaped by social expectations rather than personal choice. Sociologists view society not merely as a collection of individuals but as a system of relationships and interactions that guide how people live, act, and think. One of the most powerful ways society shapes individuals is through gender socialization—the process of teaching boys and girls different roles, behaviors, and values from the moment they are born. These expectations deeply influence women’s experiences in the world. Thinkers like Betty Friedan, author of *The Feminine Mystique* (1963), have challenged these expectations, highlighting how they limit women’s opportunities and personal fulfillment.

**1. Appearance and First Impressions**

Although we are taught not to “judge a book by its cover,” appearance is often the first criterion for judgment in society. From childhood, individuals absorb rules about how they should look, act, and interact with others. These rules are tied to factors such as gender, race, socioeconomic class, and sexual orientation. For women especially, beauty standards become a powerful social script, teaching them that their worth is often connected to their attractiveness. This reflects what Friedan called the “feminine mystique”—the notion that a woman’s identity should revolve around pleasing others and conforming to a narrow image of femininity.

**2. Childhood Socialization**

Gender socialization begins as soon as children learn to walk. Boys are encouraged to play with action figures, building sets, and military toys, which foster qualities such as strength, problem-solving, and leadership. In contrast, girls are given dolls, play kitchens, and makeup kits, which prepare them for nurturing, caregiving, and appearance-focused roles. Even in school, parents and teachers often expect boys to excel in mathematics and science while assuming that girls will do better in reading or domestic skills. These early lessons shape how children envision their futures. Boys are told they should aim to be providers—such as engineers, soldiers, or leaders—while girls are directed toward roles as caregivers, wives, and mothers.

**3. Women’s Experiences in Society**

As girls grow into women, these childhood lessons translate into unequal opportunities and experiences. Women often feel pressured to balance beauty, domestic responsibilities, and professional success—expectations that are contradictory and exhausting. Betty Friedan argued that many women in the mid-20th century felt “the problem that has no name”: a sense of emptiness despite complying with societal expectations. Although women today have more opportunities compared to Friedan’s time, the echoes of these social expectations remain powerful. Women continue to face harsher judgments based on their appearance, are often expected to shoulder greater caregiving duties, and frequently receive lower pay than men for the same work.

**4. The Ongoing Impact of Gender Socialization**

Gender socialization not only affects individuals; it also reinforces inequality across generations. When girls are taught to limit themselves, they may grow into women who feel unfulfilled or undervalued. When boys are encouraged to suppress their emotions and assert dominance, they may struggle to form empathetic and healthy relationships. Betty Friedan’s work helped spark the second wave of feminism, which challenged these roles and demanded equality in education, work, and personal life. Her insights remain relevant today, reminding us that social change requires questioning the "rules" we often take for granted.

**Conclusion**

From birth, society trains individuals to conform to gendered expectations, profoundly shaping the lives of women. Betty Friedan’s critique of the feminine mystique revealed the hidden costs of these expectations—costs measured in lost opportunities, unequal treatment, and constrained identities. By recognizing how deeply gender socialization operates, we can begin to challenge these patterns and move towards a society where individuals are free to define themselves beyond the limitations of gender. Challenge these patterns and move towards a society where individuals are free to define themselves beyond the limitations of gender. Challenge these patterns and move towards a society where individuals are free to define themselves beyond the limitations of gender. Challenge these patterns and move towards a society where individuals are free to define themselves beyond the limitations of gender. Challenge these patterns and move towards a society where individuals are free to define themselves beyond the limitations of gender. Challenge these patterns and move towards a society where individuals are free to define themselves beyond the limitations of gender.