Embedded Files
The framework of a woman (shown above)
The framework of a woman (shown above)
Society’s Expectations of Women
By Hayley GRAHAM
The Intro
Since we all start out as a sperm and an egg, what changes once we are born into roles without a choice? Do laws forbid a woman from dreaming, or a man from seeking freedom? Do children make decisions that force parents to comply? Why must acts of change inspire acts of bias? These are the questions that haunt women and have echoed through the lives of women in the past. Yet, when the dust settles and we’re scrutinised, a woman is supposed to be perfect: refined and unpolished, educated and clueless, cute and composed, serious and goofy, seductive and conservative, reliable yet co-dependant, plain and beautiful, loyal and deceitful, demure but talkative. Yes, it’s a lot, but this is the reality of the expectations placed upon women. With such judgement and mixed demands, how can anyone be perfect? How can we possibly satisfy everyone? Here, you’ll uncover the limitations, expectations, and changes being made for women, and explore everything society tells both women and men to uphold.
The Expectations Now
Let’s talk about the expectations placed on women like Sophia. Her story among others is simple, she aspired to be a doctor, and with her intellect was able to achieve her Bachelor’s degree. Yet while her traditional family supported her dream, they gave another pressure: settling, having a child and giving them the pleasure of seeing her have a family. But what if she didn’t want that and she wanted to work or use what she had studied hard for? This is a difficult decision many women have to make, to settle in order to fulfil the expectations of society and family, or work and be free to make their own decisions. Even in 2024 we are forced to have a life which balances with the priorities and expectations of others.
When we compare the general expectations placed on women to those placed on men, the differences are stark and revealing (Planned Parenthood, 2022). Women are typically expected to dress femininely, be polite, accommodating, and nurturing. Meanwhile, men are often expected to be strong, aggressive, and bold. The traits to be a man are easy to acquire and tangible whilst the societal pressures upon women are undeniably more complex and contradictory. Aggression in men has become commonplace behaviour in our current society, so through observation and application the adoption of this trait is relatively easy. Boldness is essentially confidence and can be cultivated through compliance, friendship groups and carelessness. Physical strength can be built in gyms, while mental resilience can also be bolstered through mental health resources and facilities. For women, however, the expectations are varied and often conflicting. One’s family might encourage intelligence and independence, while the community urges her to be humble, find a husband, work, and raise children. Where is the fairness in this? What about women who wish to remain single? Or those who belong to the LGBTQ+ community? Society’s expectations rarely accommodate diverse beliefs and life goals. This disparity extends to the beauty standards, the pink tax, career opportunities, and workplace dynamics (Soken-Huberty, 2024).
Online platforms like Quora provide insight into these issues through the voices of real women. For instance, on Quora, a post asked, “what does society expect from women? And how much do you meet the expectations as a woman?”(Quora, 2019). Forty women responded, and not one said they fully met these expectations or found themselves unaffected by societal pressures. While some tried to offer uplifting messages, their reassurances often fell flat, suggesting that society doesn’t think it’s okay for women to deviate from traditional roles in the first place. One poignant response encapsulated this struggle: “It’s okay to get your period. It’s okay…” it was a list of everything that should be okay, but this only reflected the misinformation given to people, and the normal things considered vague or distant to the male population, when women experience these almost every month. So rather than being uplifting, this post only displayed the mix of societal expectations and how people are uninformed or misguided. Now despite legal advancements and shifts in rights, societal expectations remain a formidable barrier. They prevent many women from dreaming big or achieving their aspirations, a sentiment echoed by countless women who feel the pressure to conform to outdated norms.
Women should choose to be free obviously, right? Wrong, it wouldn’t just be working and freedom that women like Sophia would have to consider, it would also mean giving up her family’s trust and hopes, when they were the ones who had supported her and loved her. Often for women love comes before hopes, dreams, and ambitions. So despite Sophia graduating with a Bachelor degree, she faced criticism and the harsh choice between her family and her dreams, highlighting the persistent and unfair demands placed upon women. In essence, while men might strive to be strong and bold, women are expected to juggle a myriad of roles, often to the detriment of their personal growth and happiness. This ongoing struggle underscores the need for continued advocacy and change in societal attitudes.
Pregnancy & Childbirth
One of the most challenging experiences that 61 in 1,000 women face is giving birth and the journey during, through and after pregnancy (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2023). Despite being a natural occurrence pregnancy and childbirth are often underestimated and considered easy by many. During pregnancy, women face numerous restrictions such as the restriction of diet, activities, work and will often receive inadequate support during emergencies and complications throughout the pregnancy or birth (Maternity, 2022). In public hospitals, though the cost of an uncomplicated birth is nil, there are still many costly recommended treatments that have to come out of pocket even with medicare reducing costs. Examples of those treatments include: ultrasounds, blood tests, and some immunizations whilst the woman is pregnant, which can cause financial burden and stress. There are some laws in place that aim to provide women with quality maternity care and ensure respectful treatment (Rights & Responsibilities, n.d.), but the system still falls short. The Fair Work Act 2009 grants up to 12 months of unpaid parental leave, extendable by another 12 months if needed (Right to Maternity Leave, n.d.), but this doesn’t address the long-lasing postpartum side effects many women endure, often for years. Unpaid leave also doesn’t support lower-income households that struggle to sustain themselves on a single income. Additionally, the government's lack of financial support for new families underscores the systematic disregard for women’s needs. The length of unpaid leave also causes issues with getting back into the workforce and since it’s unpaid superannuation does not accrue for this period of time and therefore by law women are expected to work longer in life. Now with these challenges, how can women or households hope to meet the idealised expectations of motherhood?. The lack of a robust support system for childbirth, healthcare, and parenthood today is now glaringly evident.
So how did we get here?
Throughout history, women were primarily expected to be wives and mothers, bearing the brunt of household responsibilities and maintaining social connections. This expectation often confined women to simple lifestyles with little room for personal aspirations or education. Despite these constraints, many women of the past lived remarkable lives filled with hope and ambition. Their courage and determination paved the way for the changes we see today (The Position of Women in History • Where Are All the Women? • MyLearning, n.d.). Without their contributions, our present reality might have been very different, lacking the progress and opportunities that have slowly become available. Comparing the expectations of women now to those of the past, we see both advancements and persistent challenges. While women today have greater access to education, job opportunities, and voting rights—thanks to the early feminist movements—the pressure to balance career and family life remains. The societal expectation for women to excel both professionally and domestically can be overwhelming. Despite legal rights to reproductive health and efforts toward pay equality, significant gaps remain. For instance, women still earn less than men on average, and the burden of unpaid domestic work disproportionately falls on them. These ongoing disparities highlight that, although progress has been made, there is still much work to be done to achieve true equality. The feminist waves have played a crucial role in driving this progress. The first wave focused on legal rights, securing women's suffrage and access to education and employment. The second wave fought for reproductive rights, allowing women control over their bodies. The third wave addressed issues of pay equality, financial independence, and legal rights, furthering women's autonomy and justice. These movements, often occurring in quick succession, inspired one another and sparked widespread change (Soken-Huberty, 2021). However, it has been more than ten years since the fourth wave of feminism supposedly began, and the pace of change seems to have slowed. Today's generations appear less engaged with activism, risking the disrespect of historical achievements and the stagnation of progress. To honour the accomplishments of past women and continue advancing toward equality, renewed energy and commitment to feminist causes are essential (Petrongolo, 2023).
A Change in Feminism
Feminism, a movement determined to achieve equality for all genders, has unfortunately lost some of its original clarity and purpose (International Women's Development Agency, 2018). Initially, feminism was a powerful force, igniting fights for reproductive rights and other urgent issues. However, over time, its meaning has been twisted, leading to misconceptions that undermine feminism goals. Feminism is not merely about helping women; it's about creating a society where everyone has equal opportunities and rights (Caprino, n.d.). Misunderstandings arise when people see feminism as only supporting women or misinterpret it as suggesting women need special help. This is often exacerbated by well-meaning men who, by overcompensating with chivalrous acts like always paying the bill or making decisions on behalf of women, inadvertently reinforce traditional gender roles rather than fostering true equality. Moreover, some people believe gender equality has already been achieved, dismissing the need for ongoing feminist advocacy. These issues often stem from misinformation or misinterpretation (Murray, 2023). Nonetheless, there are many who still passionately pursue the change feminism aims to achieve. While recognizing biological and psychological differences between genders, such as maturity levels and physical strength, it is crucial to strive for equal opportunities and treatment. Small steps, like eliminating the pink tax, sharing household chores, and promoting gender diversity in all workplaces, could significantly advance the feminist cause. If feminism were taken seriously and both men and women actively supported it, it could indeed become the transformative force it was always meant to be.
Is it time for new expectations?
When we all start as a sperm and an egg. However; once we are born, we grow and find ourselves shaped by society's expectations. Yet, these expectations often create a brick wall, separating women from men not physically or mentally, but by societal preferences. Despite legal changes and economic growth, traditional expectations for women persist. Feminism was meant to inspire change, but it still struggles for widespread recognition and support. My poem captures this struggle:
Society has expectations,
And I don’t know if I can be them,
I want them to change,
And not just in wages,
I want to live my life,
Be more than just a wife,
So when I’m given no opinion,
And now I’m lost in being a woman,
Why should I have this job?
And why does it feel like I’ve been robbed?
Because society has expectations,
And I know I cannot be them.
Reference list:
2 Three, W. mum. (2015). Balance. https://www.workingmom2three.com/2015/08/24/balance/
52047532 - Online Store. (n.d.). Nicejugsmk.shop. Image retrieved June 4, 2024, from https://nicejugsmk.shop/product_details/52047532.html .
Barre, C. (2018, October 25). What It’s Like to Be a Woman. Medium. https://medium.com/@carmabarre/what-its-like-to-be-a-woman-327029ccefb0
Caprino, K. (n.d.). What Is Feminism, And Why Do So Many Women And Men Hate It? Forbes. Retrieved June 2, 2024, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/kathycaprino/2017/03/08/what-is-feminism-and-why-do-so-many-women-and-men-hate-it/?sh=6c0804db7e8e
Gender equality starts at home: Five ways to drive change within the family. (2023, May 15). UN Women – Headquarters. https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/feature-story/2023/05/gender-equality-starts-at-home-five-ways-to-drive-change-within-the-family#:~:text=future%20for%20everyone.-
Government, A. C. T. (2024, February 26). Get parenting advice and support. ACT Government. https://www.act.gov.au/community/families/get-parenting-advice-and-support#:~:text=A%20child%20and%20family%20worker%20might%20recommend%20one%20of%20our
hatcheddesigns. (2021, September 2). Human Rights In Childbirth - What You Need To Know. Nurtured Birth. https://nurturedbirth.com.au/human-rights-in-childbirth/
Health statistics., N. centre for . (2013). Pregnancy rates, by age: United States, 1990, 2000, and 2009. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db136.htm
International Women's Development Agency. (2018). What Is Feminism? IWDA; International Women’s Development Agency. https://iwda.org.au/learn/what-is-feminism/
Kane, T. (2024, January 14). What is the ideal written article length. Plainly Put. https://medium.com/science-and-medicine-in-everyday-language/what-is-the-ideal-written-article-length-dbcf3dfff830#:~:text=The%20ideal%20article%20or%20post
Little, B. (2019, February 27). Three Ways Women Can Stand Out from the Crowd. Greater Phoenix in Business Magazine. https://inbusinessphx.com/partner-section/three-ways-women-can-stand-out-from-the-crowd . retrieved image from here.
Maternity, H. P. (2022, November 29). Public Vs Private Pregnancy Out of Pocket Costs in Australia | Hatch. Hatch Private Maternity. https://www.hatchmaternity.com.au/helping-you-compare-private-vs-public-maternity-care-medical-costs/#:~:text=Without%20Medicare%2C%20giving%20birth%20in
Parental leave - Fair Work Ombudsman. (2023). Fairwork.gov.au. https://www.fairwork.gov.au/leave/parental-leave
pic, F. (n.d.). Abstract 3d painting coming to life with person and frame. Retrieved June 3, 2024, from https://www.freepik.com/free-ai-image/abstract-3d-painting-coming-life-with-person-frame_94947998.htm#fromView=search&page=1&position=3&uuid=2b5e6d3e-1f07-4baa-80eb-16b5a131e6f2 . AI generated and found on website Freepic.
Planned Parenthood. (2022). Gender Identity & Roles | Feminine Traits & Stereotypes. Www.plannedparenthood.org; Planned Parenthood. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/gender-identity/sex-gender-identity/what-are-gender-roles-and-stereotypes#:~:text=For%20example%2C%20girls%20and%20women
Right to maternity leave. (n.d.). Attorney-General’s Department. https://www.ag.gov.au/rights-and-protections/human-rights-and-anti-discrimination/human-rights-scrutiny/public-sector-guidance-sheets/right-maternity-leave#:~:text=Section%2070%20of%20the%20Fair
Rights & Responsibilities. (n.d.). HOMEBIRTH AUSTRALIA. Retrieved June 2, 2024, from https://www.homebirthaustralia.org/rights--responsibilities.html#:~:text=The%20pregnant%20woman%20has%20the%20right%20to%20choose%20how%20she
Soken-Huberty, E. (2024, February 23). Top 20 Issues Women Are Facing Today. Human Rights Careers. https://www.humanrightscareers.com/issues/womens-issues/
Stock, A. (2024). Women fighting for their rights tired of the inequality suffered for years. Female empowerment. Color illustration. Generative AI. https://stock.adobe.com/images/women-fighting-for-their-rights-tired-of-the-inequality-suffered-for-years-female-empowerment-color-illustration-generative-ai/569695527?asset_id=569695542 . created by AI.
Support for parents: why it’s important and where to get it. (2023, August 30). Raising Children Network. https://raisingchildren.net.au/grown-ups/services-support/about-services-support/support-for-parents-why-its-important#:~:text=Parents%20can%20benefit%20from%203
The Position of Women in History • Where are all the Women? • MyLearning. (n.d.). Www.mylearning.org. https://www.mylearning.org/stories/where-are-all-the-women/1432?#:~:text=Their%20chief%20role%20was%20as
What does your society expect from women? And how much do you meet the expectation as a woman? (2019). Quora. https://www.quora.com/What-does-your-society-expect-from-women-And-how-much-do-you-meet-the-expectation-as-a-woman
What Life For Young Women Is REALLY Like. (n.d.). The Line. Retrieved June 2, 2024, from https://www.theline.org.au/what-life-for-young-women-is-really-like/
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2023, June 29). Australia’s mothers and babies, Key statistics and trends. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mothers-babies/australias-mothers-babies/contents/overview-and-demographics/state-and-territory
Murray, R. (2023, November 2). Demystifying Feminism: 8 Common Myths Debunked. She+ Geeks Out. https://www.shegeeksout.com/articles/demystifying-feminism-8-common-myths-debunked/#:~:text=Myth%201%3A%20Feminism%20is%20anti
Soken-Huberty, E. (2021, February 28). Types of Feminism: The Four Waves. Human Rights Careers; Human Rights Careers. https://www.humanrightscareers.com/issues/types-of-feminism-the-four-waves/
Petrongolo, S. A., Claudia Olivetti, Barbara. (2023, March 10). How Women in the Workplace Has Changed Over the Last 50 Years. ProMarket. https://www.promarket.org/2023/03/10/how-women-in-the-workplace-has-changed-over-the-last-50-years/#:~:text=During%20the%20second%20half%20of
Page updated
Report abuse