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Men are hormone-driven beings who can’t control their sex drives; women are demure and not really interested in sex. Men should take the lead in a relationship, while women should wait to be asked out. Men like sports and math; women like soap operas and babies.

Does any of this sound familiar? These old stereotypes are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to gender roles and stereotypes. Sexism is still deeply ingrained in our culture. And even in the 21st century men and women are often still expected to stay within strict “masculine” and “feminine” roles. Gender inequality and stereotypes are a destructive force in our culture that leads to oppression and tragedy.

• Young men who are sexually active get encouragement, while young women are cautioned.
• One in three women is abused or sexually assaulted in her lifetime.
• Young men are pressured into having sex before they are ready in order to prove their masculinity.
• Discomfort with “breaking the rules” of gender leads to discrimination and violence against GLBT and trans youth.

In developing countries inequality between the sexes is even more serious. In some areas young women have very limited or no rights, are forced to undergo female genital mutilation, and face very early marriage and childbirth. They are denied their human right to control over their own bodies and often cannot refuse sex or negotiate for the use of condoms and contraception.

Some U.S. policies reinforce damaging gender stereotypes and contribute to the oppression of women.

• Abstinence-only programs very often prescribe set gender roles for men and women.
• These programs also censor information about contraception – a reproductive health right.

Gender bias leads to suffering in the United States and around the world. We will work toward calling out sexism where we see it and ending policies and prejudices that keep sexism alive.

Blog It!

Are men and women really from different planets? Have you experienced pressure or oppression because of your gender? How do you think men and women should act? Write a blog about gender and stereotypes

Interested in this issue? Keep reading!

Read about related issues on Amplify

Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs
Child Marriage
Discrimination
Sex and Our Culture
Social Justice and Human Rights

Report Card

How did your state do on its Report Card? Check out your state’s grades for sexual health, sex education, Title V Abstinence-only Funding, CBAE Community-Based Abstinence Education funding, and school safety for GLBTQ youth.

Other Resources

Need current, reliable information on this topic? Check out the links below for the latest research.

Adolescent Sexual Health and the Dynamics of Oppression: A Call for Cultural Competency

• Gender Bias: Perspectives from the Developing World (The Facts)
  • en español—Tendencia a favorecer al sexo masculino sobre el femenino: perspectivas desde el mundo en vías de desarrollo
  • en français—Genre Biais: Perspectives du Tier Monde
• Giving Up Harmful Practices, Not Culture (Issues at a Glance)
  • en español—Renunciar a las prácticas nocivas, no a la cultura
  • en français—Abandonner les pratiques nuisibles et non la culture