Question

Harry, a fourteen-year-old, wants to join the army when he is eighteen. He believes that defending the country is a man’s job, because men are brave and physically stronger than women. Harry's beliefs and expectations about the responsibilities of men can best be explained by the _____.

Answer 1

Answer:

The answer is: social role theory.

Explanation:

Harry's beliefs and expectations about the responsibilities of men can best be explained by the social role theory. This theory, developed by psychologist Alice Eagly in the 1980s, argues that gender stereotypes are a consequence of the division of labor, which stated that men were more fit and prepared to perform jobs in the public world -in politics, army, security, etc. And confined women to the private world of the household, or in jobs related to the service and care of others -in education, nursing, cleaning, etc.

This division of labor is based in the belief that men and women have different physical and mental capacities, therefore, they can only perform the tasks and jobs asigned to their gender. According to social role theory, gender stereotypes derived from the division of labor are still present to this day, which is why Harry believes that men have the responsibility to defend their country, being braver and stronger than women.