The Dynamics of Gender Roles and Marriage/Parenting in the US

Abstract

The purpose of our project is to inform and identify different ways that gender roles are present in marriages and parenting styles (i.e. dominant and submissive spouse, working and stay-at-home parent, etc.) in the United States. First, in our study, we research the typical existing gender norms in heterosexual marriages and examine how these norms fit into the gender stereotypes in the US. We also discuss maternal and paternal leave policies in the United States and how that contributes to the gender roles expressed in our society. After discussing the societal baseline of gender roles present in marriages and parenting, we discuss the ways in which many people are not adhering to these stereotypes. We explore topics that break out of normative gender roles including stay-at-home dads, working mothers and the dynamic of samesex couples and same-sex parents.