Tradition, Power, and Resistance: Gender Roles in a Changing Society

Ashita Singh

Abstract: This research paper explores how gender roles are shaped by tradition, enforced through power structures, and challenged by various forms of resistance within a changing society. Using a qualitative case study approach, the research examines how cultural norms and patriarchal values influence gender expectations, the ways in which individuals and communities negotiate these norms, and how modern forces such as education, urbanization, and media contribute to social transformation. The study highlights both progress and pushback, showing that gender equality evolves through a dynamic, ongoing interaction between tradition and resistance. Using a qualitative case study approach, data were collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, participant observation, and review of cultural documents. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the experiences and perceptions of men and women across different generations. Findings reveal that traditional patriarchal norms still strongly influence gender expectations, particularly among older individuals, reinforcing a strict division between male authority and female domesticity. However, the growing access to education, economic opportunities, and exposure to modern influences has encouraged younger members of the community to question and renegotiate these roles. Women?s increased participation in education and income generation leads to greater empowerment and shifts in household decision-making, although social stigma continues to restrict both genders from fully adopting non-traditional roles. The study concludes that gender roles in the community are undergoing a gradual transition, shaped by the interplay of tradition, power dynamics, and emerging forms of resistance. These insights contribute to a broader understanding of how gender identities are reconstructed in changing societies and highlight the need for awareness and policy support to promote gender equality.

Keywords: Gender Roles, Tradition, Patriarchy, Power Dynamics, Social Change, Resistance, Empowerment, Cultural Norms, Education, Economic Participation, Modernization, Case Study, Feminist Theory

How to Cite?: Ashita Singh, "Tradition, Power, and Resistance: Gender Roles in a Changing Society", Volume 14 Issue 12, December 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 488-493, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=MR251202153857, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/MR251202153857