IMPACT OF CULTURAL EXPECTATIONS ON GENDER ROLES AND IDENTITY FORMATION: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Abstract

This research explores the impact of cultural expectations on gender roles and identity formation, particularly in traditional and culturally conservative societies. Identity is viewed as a multifaceted concept shaped by personal beliefs, social roles, and religious or cultural values. Within the male-female binary, gender roles are socially constructed frameworks that assign specific duties and behaviours to men and women such as men as providers and women as caregivers. These roles, reinforced by family, religion, and education, can foster social cohesion when practiced within ethical and respectful boundaries. However, factors like modernization, education, and global exposure are prompting a re-evaluation of these roles and how they can evolve without undermining cultural integrity. Rejecting perspectives that challenge the male-female binary, this study engages with feminist and postcolonial frameworks that critique restrictive limitations on women's roles, particularly in public and professional life. It emphasizes intersectionality by examining how gender intersects with class, religion, and ethnicity to shape individual experience. The goal is to offer a culturally grounded yet progressive understanding of identity and gender roles one that promotes equity, cooperation, and dignity while remaining rooted in traditional moral values. By drawing on theoretical insights and culturally rooted analysis, this research aims to provide a nuanced understanding of how identity and gender roles are shaped by cultural expectations. It further seeks to highlight ways in which traditional gender frameworks can adapt to contemporary challenges without compromising core cultural and moral values. The ultimate goal is to promote gender relations grounded in equity, cooperation, and dignity within a stable, traditional value system.