Gender roles and expectations have a place in modern therapeutic and counseling practices as a topic for discussion, because both men and women are socialized into stereotypical gendered behaviors and interests (Hyde, 1991). Generally, parents dress little boys in blue and give them cars to play with while little girls are dressed in pink and play with dolls. These colors and toys set children up for the roles they will be expected to fulfill as adults. Early personality theorists were accustomed to the notion that masculinity and femininity occurred naturally among men and women respectively. As a result of the views, men were thought to be competitive and views of women were that they were essentially maternal and nurturing (Hyde, 1991). .
Before we are born and actually take that first breath of air into the world, society and our family prepares us to play our role as a male child or female child, leading into adulthood. When the parents are told by the doctors whether or not it is a boy or girl; we as a society plan for our showers, to coordinate with male is blue and female is pink. Female children are given dolls, tea sets, and pretend kitchens. Little girls are trained to nurture, take care, and be beautiful. Little boys usually receive sports equipment, toy cars, and Incredible Hulks. They are trained to be strong, and powerful. When we start off as children unconsciously knowing what type of colors, toys, and stories we should be interested in, we are working hand in hand with society preparing ourselves for the roles we made to believe are right for us as we enter into adulthood. .
The term gender roles refers to the set of social behavioral norms that are considered appropriate for individuals of a certain gender. These roles vary between cultures. Gender roles, unlike gender itself, are socially constructed. They may reflect the natural aspirations of the gender, or they may be manipulated, resulting in the oppression of a gender.