For centuries, women have experience lack on mental care and attention, and thus resulting in deteriorating mental health and an increase in depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses. This is direct effect from the stereotyping of women and the gender roles that have been placed on upon by society. Women that have been isolated from education, work, and involvement outside of the home show a rapid increase in the development on psychological illnesses. These causes and effects on women are shown in Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s literary work, “The Yellow Wallpaper”. The narrator in “The Yellow Wallpaper” shows the way in which applied gender roles, mental abuse and isolation of women alter one’s psychological state and well-being.

The issue of mental abuse on women is one that has been far too present in society in not only modern day, but also in the recent and far past. This topic interests me to a great degree because of the impact I believe interactions within our lives impact our mental state. I believe the impact of gender roles on women and men within society have shaped the way in which populations and individual people view themselves and their purpose in life. These negative impacts have been, and continue to be most prevalent in the lives of women. The stereotypical role of a child-bearing mother, and women overall in the United States does not allow for growth as an individual and does not allow for free expression. This role of the “stay at home woman” has been seen most prevalent leading up to and including the mid 1900’s during the era of “The Yellow Wallpaper”. This has been detrimental to the development of not only the mental capabilities of women, but also the internal attitudes and self-esteem of these effected. I think this issue of equality among genders is one that needs to be faced with a much greater volume. This work and the connections I have made through research has increased my beliefs and my interest in gender equality and the focus on mental health.

In Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper”, the narrator is accompanied by her husband who shows no regard for her mental state and well-being. This can be accredited by the gender roles the narrator experienced in the past and continues to experience. Due to the time period this piece of work was written, it is clear that the narrator was most likely placed in a role with limitations on women inside and outside of the home. Gender roles for years have had a large impact on the way society, and specifically men view and appreciate women. This is further explained in chapter 7 of Brett Silverstein and Deborah Perlick’s book, Cost of Competence: Why Inequality Causes Depression, Eating Disorders, and Illness in Women. Evidence has shown an interesting correlation between the “standard role of women” within the household, and the decline of positive self-esteem and mental well-being. Women who were raised in households who were solely run by the father figure show to have these ideas that the woman’s role is only “in the household”. Girls experienced a time when they were seemingly automatically placed in this role; placed in a role of an unintelligent and domesticated woman, with no ideas, or intellectual capabilities of their own.

Other sources such as Ashurt and Zaida’s book, Understanding Women in Distress (Chapter 2), discuss the biological and sociological influences in the lives of women and the negative effects of these influences. These roles women are placed in are seemingly automactic, and allow little room for a change in dynamic. “Child-rearing” have been shown within society to be the act in which women are expected to put all of their time and energy into. This can be accredited to a notion that has been determined by men for many years. Due to a woman’s child-bearing abilities, the child is assumed to be solely dependent on the mother figure. Ideologies such as this create for increasingly different roles between mother and father. Differences between the sexes throughout society, and a seemingly great distinction between male and female are easily identifiable within history of societies all over the world. This act of child-bearing has allowed for men to believe they have a right over the women who is bearing their child, and in turn, believing the woman is their property overall. This belief of right of property becomes ingrained within a family dynamic and becomes second nature to all individuals in the family. 

With the pre decided notion that the woman automatically the man’s property, women are shown to also begin to agree with this and place less value on their life and well-being overall. This is also accredited to gender roles, and these gender roles are mostly implemented by not only society, but the prominent men in women’s lives. The feeling of belonging to another individual is a clear cause of severe anxiety in women, this is shown in Chapter 10 of The Cost of Competence. This chapter describes the way in which gender roles have effected and in some ways caused Anxious Somatic Depression in females. Female achievement, and the lack there of, have been proven to be associated with the development of mental disorders such as Anxious Somatic Depression. 

Anxiety and depression are severe mental disorders that many women are forced to live with in everyday life. Hysteria, a disorder psychological stress, is one that is also present is women in large quantities. The psychological stress of growing up and living in a male-dominated society, is a factor that negatively shapes and effects women starting from young adulthood. The Classification of Hysteria and Related Disorders: Historical and Phenomenological Considerations classifies and identifies those who are suffering from this disorder. The book is able to pinpoint the way in which those who suffer from this syndrome behave. Author Carol S. North writes, “…syndrome that is manifested by an immense variety of nervous, neuromuscular, neuro-vascular, sensory, and other symptoms…” (North 500). Studies within this article highlight women who have been diagnosed with this disorder, and the way in which they respond to developing such. Hysteria is shown to have a great effect on “an immense variety of nerves” (North 500) and this is shown also in women who have developed Anxious Somatic Depression, along with other forms of Anxiety. 

These assumed roles have detrimental effects on the well-being of young adult and adult women, and also have negative effects on the relationships between partners within the household. Evidence of this is shown in “The Yellow Wallpaper” the narrator describes the feelings of depression and the way in which she feels in regards to her relationship within the house in which she resides. “…temporary nervous depression-a slight hysterical tendency-what is one to do?” (Perkins Gilman 300). This statement made by the narrator shows a complete understanding for the mental state she is in. This nervous depression is caused by the mistreatment of narrator within her home from her husband, John. 

“The Yellow Wallpaper” is a piece of text that is able to be directly related to research regarding gender roles and the negative effects that they have on women. Cost of Competence: Why Inequality Causes Depression, Eating Disorders, and Illness in Women, is easily related to Perkins Gilman’s story, “The Yellow Wallpaper”. These two pieces together allow for readers to make connections between the two and also think into the past life of the female narrator in, “The Yellow Wallpaper”. The research found in this book gives the readers of “The Yellow Wallpaper” insight into the possible reasons why the narrator behaves in the nervous and anxious manners she does. Perkins Gilman writes in a tone that depicts the narrator in a distressed light. Readers are able to pick apart the instances in which she is overwhelmed by depression, anxiety, and other indications of mental disorders. These areas of the book are able to be better understood and can gain much appreciation from readers, by first looking into Silverstein and Perlick’s book. The similarities in situations, and descriptions of the mental disorders are seen as very similar in the word choices Gilman uses to describe the way the narrator thinks and acts. 

 Cost of Competence: Why Inequality Causes Depression, Eating Disorders, and Illness in Women tells of the gender bias roles and the way in which this effects women and their mental health. In “The Yellow Wallpaper”, the narrator is accompanied by her husband, a male dominate figure within the piece of work. He is uninterested and unconcerned for his wife’s health and disregards her feelings. He believes his opinions on her mental health are more valid than her own, and shows no interest to improve her way of living. This is an instance in which a man believes the woman’s role is better to “stay quiet” and not voice her opinions even though she has proved to have valid ones at that. The man’s role is ingrained in our society’s schema and is believed to be all-knowing and much more valuable than a woman’s and in this case the narrator’s. This mistreatment and lack of understanding for his wife only proves to add to her depression and nervous tendencies. These two books both show the way in which we live in a male dominated society and the way in which these ideas are being passed on to our next generations. These two books relate in a way to add a deeper understanding for this topic as a whole and the ideas within, “The Yellow Wallpaper.”

This, along with constant feeling of needing to appeal to men, also causes eating disorders which correlate with other severe mental disorders, those including depression and anxiety. Silverstein and Perlick in their findings, document a specific case in which this gender bias environment is shown to directly cause severe mental disorders in a young girl. This account describes a girl who was raised in a male dominated household in which she is constantly told that her father “he wishes she was a boy”. This created much emotional discomfort not only within the girl’s mind, but also throughout the home. This then lead to a long list of disorders including insomnia and depression, which was then noted by the father and he blamed his actions for outcome of his daughter’s well-being. 

“The Yellow Wallpaper” is a story of woman who shoes much indication of severe mental trauma and mental illnesses. These sources help to further explain the reasoning behind the anxiety, depression, and possible other mental illnesses the narrator is experiencing. Ashurst and Zaida’s book regarding the impacts of biological and sociological influences on young developing women. This adds to the notions described in Silverstein and Perlick’s book, The Cost of Competence. The differences in development between males and females, not only physically, but also the way in which they differ by gender roles. Ashurst and Zaida focus on the impact of puberty and the internal pressures young girls place on themselves, while Silverstein and Perlick focus on the external influences put upon women from society. Ashurst and Zaida also focus on the in which men and society view women as somewhat only needed of child-bearing, and this shows the way women have been viewed as a man’s property throughout history and even up until more recent times. Both of these text describe in detail the mistreatment of women and the direct effects of the negative acts. Gender roles are covered in both books and the author’s prove that these pre-decided notions about women are ones that are not only false, but also detrimental to the mental well-being of females.

It is clear that the main character in “The Yellow Wallpaper” is experiencing some sort of mental abuse from her husband. Although conclusions can be made about the environment and household the woman experienced not shown within the text, there is much information within the story that shows much about her mental state. Connections between the actions of the main character and applied gender roles are clear to the audience. Due to the notion that men are far more intelligent than women, especially in the work and health field, the character assumes the male physician is the only one who knows what is best for her. She knows the state in which her mind is in, yet due to her husband’s lack of understanding she is unable to receive help, “You see he does not believe I am sick! And what can one do?” (Perkins Gilman 299). She is unable to receive help from her husband as a partner or as a doctor. Along with lack of help and understanding from her husband John, he lacks any sense of urgency to help his wife gain medical and psychological attention from another source. 

Chapter 7 in The Cost of Competence continues to describe the way in which women have developed hysteria and severe conditions ultimately stemming from unstable male-to-female relationships and interactions. This is seen in the way in which women have repeatedly described their lives as ‘unfulfilling’ in many aspects due to their feeling of inferiority and their lack of support for goals and aspirations. Women who are not content with their own roles face psychological difficulties, and this is a problem stemming from gender roles that have been put in place for centuries. These women, even those as young as high school students, feel as if they are unable and unsupported to pursue a goal and even a career that is ‘fit for a man’, Studies have shown that this mindset along with pressures from social roles cause for the development of anxious somatic depression, along with a wide range of other mental disorders.

During the time in which women were completely separated from academic achievement and achievement in the work field, these women who have no become mothers feel a sense of envy. Although gender roles in present day do not show complete equality, the girls being raised in a more female positive society are able to have much greater opportunities than their mothers. Viewing the present female generation as gaining much more independence from men, and opportunities in work and academics, causes older women, such as mothers, to develop anxious somatic depression along with a wide range of depression related mental illnesses. This stereotype of a male dominated field in academics and knowledge as well causes for the main character to accept the fact that what she feels will not, and seemingly cannot matter. 

The presence of depression within this story and the main character’s life is shown through her language and the way she reflects upon her own situation.  When looking at the way in which the character interacts and responds to her sadness and depression, it is clear that she has been told feeling this way is not acceptable. “I will take a nap I guess….I don't feel able…” she is able to recognize her constant feelings of tiredness and hopelessness, yet she states “And I know John would think it absurd.” (Perkins Gilman 305). She is able to acknowledge the way in which her husband views her current state and has accepted the fact that he is in no way going to change the way he sees her. This is one instance that the gender roles of male and females within the household have gone to impact her in such a strong and negative way.

The abuse is continued to be seen throughout the text as the narrator continues to speak of her relationship with her husband, while also speaking of the internal troubles she is facing within her own mind. Living in this male dominated world, the narrator is one that sees John as the all-knowing figure. She believes he does all her can for her, and chooses the best options for her mental health. Although it is clear to the audience that he in fact does the opposite, and only adds to the depression, and anxiety she is experiencing. He tells her “no one but myself can help me out of it…” although he does not allow her to help herself and only keeps her in a continues spiral of negativity. The mental abuse is seen in this text as isolation and a lack of empathy and concern for one’s spouse. 

The depiction of women in the view of the public eye is one that is in dire need of improvement. “The Yellow Wallpaper” is a literary piece that shows the dramatic and detrimental effects of gender roles, as well as mental abuse on women. The research from these books and articles allow for the audience to understand the reasoning behind the narrator’s psychological issues and her sense of isolation within her own home with her spouse. This book is able to raise awareness for this problem and allow for people to gain a better understanding. The text paired with intensive research, shown in these academic articles, allows for a large understanding into the inner minds of women and the challenges they are faced with, not only growing up in a male dominated society, but trying to break free and working to become and independent individual.
