| In the United States, masculine roles are usually associated with strength, aggression, and dominance, while feminine roles are usually associated with passivity, nurturing, and subordination. Role learning starts with socialization at birth. Even today, our society is quick to outfit male infants in blue and girls in pink, even applying these color-coded gender labels while a baby is in the womb. Gender socialization occurs through four major agents: family, education, peer groups, and mass media. American society allows for some level of flexibility when it comes to the acting out of gender roles. To a certain extent, men can assume some feminine roles and women can assume some masculine roles without serious repercussions; however those that step outside of what society deems acceptable face consequences. https://www.boundless.com/psychology/textbooks/boundless-psychology-textbook/gender-and-sexuality-15/introduction-to-gender-and-sexuality-75/gender-roles-and-differences-296-12831/ European governments are typically more active in governing the lives of their citizens than the U.S. government. They have used their social powers to encourage equality between men and women. Because of this, the Swedish government says that all working parents are entitled to sixteen months paid leave per child. To encourage greater paternal involvement in child rearing, a minimum of two months out of the sixteen is required to be used by the "minority" parent, usually the father. This allows for both parents to share the same role as caregiver to their child. Through policies such as parental leave, European states actively work to promote equality between genders in child rearing and professional lives. https://www.boundless.com/sociology/textbooks/boundless-sociology-textbook/gender-stratification-and-inequality-11/gender-and-socialization-86/the-cross-cultural-perspective-499-10465/ |
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Sex Education in America: Abstinence Only a.) has as its exclusive purpose teaching the social, psychological, and health gains to be realized by abstaining from sexual activity. b.) teaches abstinence from sexual activity outside of marriage is the expected standard for all school-age children. c.) teaches that abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and other associated health problems. d.) teaches that a mutually faithful monogamous relationship in the context of marriage is the expected standard of sexual activity. e.) teaches that sexual activity outside the context of marriage is likely to have harmful psychological and physical side effects. f.) teaches that bearing children out-of-wedlock is likely to have harmful consequences for the child, the child's parents, and society. g.) teaches young people how to reject sexual advances and how alcohol and drug use increase vulnerability to sexual advances. h.) teaches the importance of attaining self-sufficiency before engaging in sexual activity. **The ultimate goal of sexual education in America is to promote an abstinence only outlook on sexual intercourse.** | Sex Education in the Netherlands: Physical and Emotional Sexual Development This topic includes information about puberty of each sex for both sexes and covers physical and emotional changes that occur during puberty. Reproduction This topic includes simple, accurate language and illustrations explaining sexual intercourse and reproduction. Weerbarheild (Interactional Competence) This topic addresses assertiveness, communication techniques, personal values, asking for help, and decision making. It encourages students to think about what they are comfortable with sexually and develop skills to maintain boundaries. Relationships This topic covers heterosexual and homosexual relationships and is often used to transition from discussions of puberty to discussions of sexuality. Sexuality Dutch sex education presents sexuality in a positive light, including information on the positive and pleasurable aspects of sex and relationships. Masturbation is encouraged as a safe, enjoyable way for students to discover their sexual preferences. Safe Sex The safe sex topic includes information on where to get contraception, how to use it, and what to do if you are nervous about asking for it. The “Double Dutch” method is encouraged, which is using oral contraceptives to prevent pregnancy and a condom to prevent STIs. **The ultimate goal of sexual education in the Netherlands is to instill a sense of responsibility in youth regarding sexual activity and empower them to make good decisions and set their own sexual boundaries.** |
Sex education is taught very differently between the countries of the United States and the Netherlands. In my opinion, I think that the way the Netherlands teaches sexual education is way more beneficial than that of America. I say this for many different reasons. The first reason is because of the difference in birth rate for 15-9 year olds and the abortion rate for each country. In America, the birth rate for 15-19 year olds is 54.4 for every thousand teens. However, in the Netherlands, the birth rate is 8.2 for every thousand. The abortion rate for America is also high being that it is 29.2 for every thousand while the Netherlands' 4.2 for every thousand. I think that these statistics reflect on each of the countries teachings. Another big thing that stands out between the two is that in the Netherlands, teen sexuality is looked at and thought of as normal, unlike in America where it is dramatized. I strongly believe that since the Netherlands keep the idea normalized that is the reason that they have the highest sexual health rates and the lowest rate of unplanned pregnancy, abortion, or teen pregnancy of any industrialized country. This is why I believe that the Netherlands as a better sex education program than America.