Unveiling the Hidden Consequences of Endorsing Traditional Gender Roles in Heterosexual Relationships

Abstract

Recent social media trends targeting young women have been encouraging a regression toward traditional gender roles in heterosexual relationships (Ironmonger, 2023; Jennings, 2023). These trends advise women to embrace their role as passive nurturers and seek men who are providers, leaders, and protectors (Jennings, 2023). The promises of love and satisfaction as rewards for embodying the traditional woman have long been the tool of women’s suppression. This is reflected in the historical categorizations of women as Madonnas or whores who were either “rewarded” or punished based on their adherence to or deviation from traditional gender roles (Hertler et al., 2023). These “rewards” may seem positive at face value, but they carry negative implications. This project aims to investigate past and present literature on these sexist ideologies and to propose an intervention warning young women about what is hiding beneath the seemingly positive aspects of traditional relationship dynamics.