Title: Culture - Gender Roles
Headings: Gender Roles
Appearance and Culture
Language and Culture

Content: Women, especially those in the Kalabari tribe, are becoming less fearful of showcasing their strength and independence right on their sleeve. This example mirrors the change of women's roles during World War II in the United States. Like the Kalabari women, American women were forced to enter the working field while the men were overseas fighting a war. In the factories, they learned skills that they had never yet used and in the end, it was beneficial. " Rosie the Riveter" became the poster icon for all working American women encouraging them to step out of the house and into other employment opportunities. Not long after women began working outside the home, pants and trousers, typically worn by men, became popular among females. They symbolized women's new found ground in the workforce and fostered a new era for the working woman. Although cultures may differ, especially between the Kalabari culture and the American culture, it's clear that women are altering their dress and appearance in hopes of expanding their gender roles. Language and Culture
Language, an integral part of culture, shares a relationship with the reinforcement of traditional gender roles. Research has found that the meaning of words and their placement in religious text or cultural sayings affect how women and men view their roles and status in society.