A social role is a set of functions, a more or less clearly defined pattern of behavior that is expected from a person holding a certain status in society. Often, the role is primarily dictated by the person’s marital status and work, and many other social institutions. In fact, the function performed is the expectation of behavior typical for people of a given position in a given society. Given the variety of roles and the closeness of family life, many are guided only by their own experience, projecting their behavior, for example, with their parents. In this essay, I will discuss overcoming the stereotypical consequences of being an ideal husband.
Social roles dictated by gender stereotypes are increasingly blurred due to modern trends postulating justice and equality. Right now, you can contact many authorities, both anonymously and openly, to solve your psychological problem, even for free. When I was faced with the fact that I put too high demands on myself, I watched myself and realized that I was unhappy in the constant race to match the best image. I was not myself but fulfilled the social role of an ideal husband, which was given to me hard.
Among the stereotypes associated with this role, there are, as a rule, the degree of fulfillment of responsibilities at home, highly qualified work, and boundless love for all family members and relatives. It is pretty tricky for a person to cope with all of the above at once, especially within the framework of one day. If work and, for example, caring for a child can devastate a person physically, then the husband cannot have the strength to express his feelings mentally. The most challenging thing is to accept that such an outcome of events is average if a person does not lie to himself. Different views on this issue are imposed both by parents in childhood and by some companions who are confident in need for stereotypical thinking.
As a result, emotional burnout from constant dissatisfaction on some issues and the inability to express this dissatisfaction is possible so as not to lose the position of an ideal person. This ailment subsequently extends to physical health, which interferes with conforming to the perfect image, and in the end, the person may break down. To avoid such an outcome, you need to get rid of the need to become ideal for someone and, at least, show a fair attitude towards yourself.
Several activities are being undertaken to achieve this goal. First, gender stereotypes such as “a man must be strong,” “a man must be able to work at home,” or “a man must provide for the whole family” should be regulated at the family level, within the capabilities of each member. If the husband can provide for the whole family and does this not to the detriment of his personality, then blindly obstructing this stereotype is not worth it. Since such an attitude now becomes not a consequence of a stereotype, but a coordinated decision of all family members, without overestimated expectations and requirements. Secondly, the opportunity and openness to the help of an outsider expert are now available to almost everyone. In a global sense, much attention is directly paid to the problems of discrimination, equality, and justice, which creates many channels through which a person can openly address his problem. Consequently, trusting an outside expert can be fruitful in eliminating the symptoms of an unwanted social role and identifying the root of the problem. Openness is essential for the ideal husband, and the most challenging part is admitting that he cannot be suitable for everyone.