The Feminine Gender

Portrayals in Novels and Readings with its Psychological Impacts on Young Adults

Abstract

The paper examines the changing perception of gender roles in the global world. There are gender inequalities in opportunities to education, achievement orientations, success and career options. It has been argued by many that the differentials in education and career between men and women is as a result of childhood and adolescent training. Subtle messages can be sent out to young people in varied ways. And these include trainings given during the childhood period or adolescence period.

Males are encouraged to be aggressive, which they invariably exhibit in almost every facet of life, which result in their being go-getters and goal oriented in achievement and in their career. They are also encouraged to fend for themselves and to be invariably independent in thought and action. The above may not be true for the females. Furthermore, it has been found that in most novels and readings, either for pleasure, academic or business, females are usually portrayed in traditional

stereotypical roles and as being weak and weaklings and rarely in managerial positions or taking charge of any corporate outfit, business or governance. The present study is exploratory as it looks at some of these portrayals in published novels and readings.