Men Gender Role Conflict: A Review

Abstract

This paper was a review of the phenomenon of gender role conflict experienced by men and the problems that generally accompany it. As we know, the term “gender” is generally associated with gender injustice experienced by women. Nevertheless, men also experience gender inequality in their daily life leading to the emergence of conflicts among them which might increase the possibilities of various problems. Research on gender role conflict experienced by men has been done in Europe. Unfortunately, this kind of research dealing with gender conflict experienced by men was still limited. Taboo and patriarchal culture that strongly abide in Indonesia had caused this phenomenon was very rarely exposed and discussed. Men are expected to be a leader with their strong physical appearance, vigorous, and authoritative by the society. However, those expectations would indirectly lead to anxiety, fear, and even depression when they failed to fulfill it in the reality. This study was expected to increase public awareness that the gender issues were experienced by both women and men. Moreover, similarly to the impact of gender inequality on women, the impacts of gender inequality on men also potentially trigger numerous problems.