Gender and Gender Role Expectations

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of emerging adults’ views on gender and gender roles. The authors describe their findings regarding who emerging adults believe benefits more from marriage, men or women. Little consensus seemed to exist regarding how emerging adults viewed the connection between gender and marriage; the authors propose that this is a reflection of our current culture, which continues to move toward gender neutrality and the dismissal of gender differences. The authors also explore how emerging adults believe gender roles will play out in their own marriages. A specific paradox whereby emerging adults aspire to an egalitarian role balance yet tend to end up in traditional gender roles is discussed.