Gender is used to refer to conformity with one’s assigned sex. It encompasses social and cultural norms associated with masculinity and femininity. So, what is it like to be a woman in society? In many societies, women are generally defined as compassionate, respectful, responsible for housework, cooking, and cleaning. While there have been slight changes throughout history, they are still associated with these definitions.
There are roles assigned to men and women in society. Society expects both men and women to fulfill these roles and judges them if they do not. For example, a man crying can portray him as “weak” in the eyes of society. This is because society portrays men as strong and unemotional. At the same time, male hegemony prevails. The superiority and dominance men establish over women place women in a subordinate position and legitimize violence against women. The most significant factor supporting this hegemony is gender inequality.
The genders do not have the same opportunities. Recently, women have become more active in business, more empowered individually, and have embraced their financial independence. This isn’t among the roles expected of women. Consequently, they refuse to accept imposed roles and strive to have a say in their own lives. While trying to live their lives and manage the stresses of life, they also struggle with identity. This is, in itself, exhausting and exhausting for women.
Differences in Male and Female Psychology
So, what is the difference between male and female psychology?
Women can think more complexly than men, and while men are results-oriented, women can approach problems from a more detailed and emotional perspective. Men focus on success and power, while women prioritize relationships, communication, understanding, and being understood. Independence predominates in men, while sharing is dominant in women. Women deal with the problem itself, while men focus directly on solutions. In fact, they speak different languages here. There is a connection between high testosterone levels and aggressiveness. There is a positive correlation here.
When assessing the psychological differences between men and women, it’s important to examine testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone levels. These are generalizations; while they aren’t necessarily true for every woman or man, they’ve been generally attributed to research. These differences significantly impact the daily lives of men and women, but they also create a sense of balance. Maintaining this balance isn’t solely the responsibility of individuals; societal awareness and norms play a significant role in conveying the psychological differences between men and women.
Karen Horney’s View of Female Psychology
Horney is a pioneer of female psychology. While she accepted many of Freud’s theories, she completely rejected Freud’s concept of penis envy and argued that men’s womb envy was more prevalent. According to Horney, men envy women’s pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding, and this pushes men into the workforce. According to Horney, the differences between men and women stem not from their anatomy but from social and cultural expectations. Because men cannot procreate, they try to achieve a balance by achieving success in other fields.
So, What Is the Psychology of Being a Woman?
There are many roles assigned to women, and many expected behaviors and personality traits. However, women were, are, and will be different yesterday, today, and tomorrow. When considering the influence of their family on a woman, the first thing that comes to mind is the father figure. The father figure is invaluable to women, both in terms of their self-confidence, their ability to integrate into social environments, and their relationships.
So, if we consider education issue, while women’s literacy and university enrollment rates have increased compared to the past, they still face difficulties entering or maintaining their work lives. The disregard for women in high-ranking positions, or the association of women’s success with other circumstances, significantly challenges women in the workplace.
A woman’s partner means a great deal to her life and well-being. Mutuality in a relationship, mutual boundaries, appreciation and care, surprises, and, most importantly, the feeling of being understood are important for women. Women are skilled at expressing their feelings and thoughts, and therefore, they are quite adept at internalizing and integrating positive and negative experiences within a relationship into their lives.
Economic freedom means a great deal to women. Many women, lacking this freedom, find themselves unable to leave their homes, where they are unhappy and continue to make life miserable. For women, economic freedom will undoubtedly increase their independence and decision-making power.
Conclusion
In conclusion, women are generally perceived in society as naive, compassionate, procreative, and responsible for household chores. When a woman acts contrary to this, she is judged and shamed. Social pressure isn’t limited to women; it also applies to men, and this pressure cannot be ignored. Patriarchal societies and gender inequalities support male hegemony and relegate women to the background.
Just as men and women have different roles in society, they also have psychological differences. These differences arise from both anatomical and cultural expectations. Freud argues that penis envy is necessary for girls to develop gender roles and understand sexuality. Horney, on the contrary, argues that this concept is degrading to women and explains that men experience womb envy. Because they cannot conceive, give birth, or breastfeed, they strive to achieve success in various fields such as business, law, and politics to compensate.
Many factors influence women’s mental state, including family, education and professional life, social roles of women, economic freedom, and romantic relationships. However, societal pressures exert pressure on women, and this pressure can manifest in every aspect of their lives. Women are much more than the roles assigned to them, and as they develop themselves, they can achieve better mental well-being.