Research paper on Gender Role Expectations and the Impacts it has on Career Choices and Advancement
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Research Paper: Gender Role Expectations and Their Impact on Career Choices and Advancement
Gender role expectations play a significant role in shaping individuals’ career choices, opportunities for advancement, and overall professional trajectories. This research paper aims to explore the ways in which societal norms and stereotypes related to gender influence career decisions, access to leadership positions, and the experiences of individuals in the workplace. By examining the complex interplay between gender roles and career outcomes, this paper seeks to shed light on the challenges and implications of gender-based expectations in the professional sphere.
Introduction
Gender roles refer to societal expectations, norms, and stereotypes that prescribe behaviors, attributes, and responsibilities based on an individual’s perceived or assigned gender. These expectations can have profound effects on career choices and advancement opportunities, as they shape perceptions of suitable professions, leadership potential, and work-life balance for men and women. Understanding the impact of gender role expectations on career trajectories is essential for promoting gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.
Influence on Career Choices
Gender role expectations often influence individuals’ career choices from a young age, as societal messages about gender-appropriate roles and occupations shape perceptions of what is considered “normal” or acceptable for men and women. Stereotypes that associate certain professions with specific genders can limit individuals’ options and discourage them from pursuing careers that fall outside traditional gender norms. For example, women may be steered towards caregiving or service-oriented roles, while men may face pressure to enter fields perceived as more masculine or prestigious, such as STEM or leadership positions.
Impact on Advancement Opportunities
In addition to influencing career choices, gender role expectations can also impact individuals’ opportunities for advancement within their chosen field. Stereotypes about leadership, assertiveness, and decision-making abilities based on gender can create barriers for women and gender minorities seeking to climb the corporate ladder or access senior-level positions. The phenomenon known as the “glass ceiling” reflects the invisible barriers that prevent women from reaching the highest echelons of leadership due to entrenched biases and expectations about gender roles in the workplace.
Experiences in the Workplace
Gender role expectations can also shape individuals’ experiences in the workplace, affecting everything from salary negotiations and performance evaluations to work-life balance and mentorship opportunities. Women may encounter stereotypes that undermine their credibility or leadership potential, while men who deviate from traditional masculine norms may face backlash or discrimination. These dynamics can contribute to a hostile or inequitable work environment that hinders professional growth and satisfaction for all employees.
Conclusion
In conclusion, gender role expectations have a profound impact on individuals’ career choices, advancement opportunities, and experiences in the workplace. By perpetuating stereotypes, biases, and limitations based on gender, society reinforces inequality and restricts the full potential of individuals to pursue their passions, achieve their professional goals, and contribute meaningfully to their chosen field. Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort to challenge stereotypes, promote diversity and inclusion, and create environments that support all employees regardless of gender identity. By dismantling outdated gender norms and fostering a culture of equity and respect, organizations can create pathways for all individuals to thrive and succeed in their careers, free from the constraints of restrictive gender role expectations.
