As the youngest of three girls and an alumni of a single sex high school, I have always valued the strength of women. I have also seen many of my closest friends struggle with mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety, and became increasingly interested in the causes of these illnesses. Recent studies have shown that women across the world are more susceptible to mental illness than men, likely as a result of their roles in society (Gove and Tudor). Longstanding gender stereotypes suggest that women typically take on the domestic role of housewife, while men serve as both fathers and jobholders. Although American women currently make up about half of the nation’s labor force, there are still many modern cultures, such that of India, in which women are expected to work solely domestically (Kar, Yadav, and Agarwal).  While the social norm is to believe that stereotypical working men are busier than stereotypical women, statistics show that the responsibilities associated with the role of housewife are one of the leading causes of stress, anxiety, and depression in women. These mental disorders can have long term effects such as susceptibility to discrimination and other health problems, including heart disease and diabetes. Women are more prone to mental illness than men, and therefore are exposed to more discrimination and other health problems. We must take initiative to abolish sex role stereotypes by promoting the use of gender neutral toys, changing how families are displayed in the media, and encouraging men to help more around the house. These changes can empower women, at a young age, to steer away from social expectations and take on whatever role they please, thereby minimizing mental health problems. It is important to diminish gender role stereotypes, because they pressure women into assuming conventional roles, such as housewife, which contribute to the higher rates of mental illness in women. 

 It is a common misconception that there are higher rates of mental illness in men than women. In his online article, “Study Finds Sex Differences in Mental Illness,” Nicholas Eaton measures and compares the degrees of different mental illnesses between genders.  Eaton’s research was conducted with seven other credible psychologists. Together, they concluded that men often express their emotions through aggressive and impulsive behavior as opposed to women, who tend to conceal and deal with their emotions on their own. Eaton points out that these contradicting forms of expression contribute to the gender differences in mental illness. For example, women experience higher rates of depression and anxiety, because they are likely to wallow in their problems instead of actively solving them. On the other hand, men often act impulsively when they are upset, which leads to higher rates of substance abuse problems and antisocial disorders (Eaton). Although men externalize their emotions more than women, females are more greatly affected by mental disorders overall.

Many believe that the figure of housewife is outdated and irrelevant in today’s society. It is true that, over time, women have moved up in the work force and continue to move up today. In fact, 47% of the U.S. labor force consists of women, which means the amount of men and women in our national work force is almost equal. In 2010, 58.6% of American women above the age of sixteen were employed. (Women in the Labor Force in 2010). On a global level, however, only about 49% of women above the age of fifteen work (World Bank Group). According to this statistic, about half of women are unemployed in the world, despite the high employment rates among American women. Female participation in the work place has sky rocketed over the years, and it is important that males reciprocate domestically in order to evenly divide the responsibilities and stress that come along with homecare. 

Traditionally, women would serve as at-home-moms or housewives, while men would hold jobs and bring home income for the family.  Those who continue to support this stereotype today argue that women are more successful caretakers, because it is in their nature to nurture and love. What often goes under the radar, however, is the mental toll that this domestic role takes on women. Understandably, many people believe that fathers who also work in the job force are more susceptible to mental health issues than women, because they take on the responsibilities of two major roles, father and financial provider. However, studies show that women who serve as homemaker have no main secondary source of achievement, a contributing factor to issues with mental health. Men can focus on their other role if they find one displeasing (Gove & Tudor). For example, if a man is under stress at home, he can divert his attention to work. However, women who only serve as housewife do not have that opportunity. Many housewives actually tend to wallow in their displeasure instead because they have no means of distraction. If men and women shared domestic responsibilities equally, they would have free time to ease their mind through hobbies and other activities, which would likely decrease stress levels. 

Even in recent years, with more women taking on roles outside of the home, studies still show that women are more likely to deal with mental illness then men.  In his online article, “Women and Mental Illness,” Dr. Joel Young reveals that women are forty percent more likely to develop depression and twice as likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder than men. Additionally, “women are 60% more likely to report an anxiety disorder,” according to Dr. Daniel Freeman’s research (Ball). These statistics are widespread, seeing as Freeman’s study was completed in the United Kingdom, United States of America, New Zealand, Australia, and Europe, and results were consistent (Ball). This universal gender disparity is likely brought on by the tendency of women to internalize their problems. Disorders such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder are often brought on by a stress build up, which can happen when women cover up or dwell on their problems.   In his article, “Women 40% More Likely to Develop Mental Illness, Study Finds,” James Ball explains that mental health issues overall are about thirty-percent more prevalent in women than in men across the world. 

Recent studies and statistics have shown that the pressure associated with sex role stereotypes is a major cause of mental illness in women. According to Indian psychiatrists, Sujita Kumar Kar, Suresh Yadav, and Vivek Agarwal, women experience the most stress in countries where they are expected to take full responsibly of domestic work and caretaking (337). In India, where “the burden of family care falls on the female members,” eighty-seven percent of women often experience stress (337). This percentage is the highest national percentage in the world, likely because women feel pressured by cultural norms to perform household tasks without help from their male counterparts. Kar, Yadav, and Agarwal use the specific example of a teenage girl who was brought in for psychiatric examination after showing signs of depression, such as attempted suicide, increased aggression, and reduced social interaction. The patient lived with her father and brother, and took responsibility for all household responsibilities after the recent death of her mother. Every day, the adolescent woke up early to cook and clean before school and juggled homework and household chores after school as well. The patient’s symptoms began to develop shortly after, and she was diagnosed with major depressive disorder. (337). This case reveals the direct relationship between domestic responsibilities and stress-related mental disorders in women.

There is a clear connection between sex roles and mental health, and are many underlying reasons behind why domestic work increases stress in women. In her online newspaper article, “Women suffer up to 40 per cent more mental health problems than men due to stress of juggling roles, study claims," Tara Brady explains that social expectations and gender role stereotypes pressure women into taking on the role of housewife and caretaker and juggling the many responsibilities that come along with it. These stereotypes label women as housewives and men as both heads of the household and breadwinners. According to these stereotypes, a man has another role to turn to if one is unrewarding, whereas “if a woman finds her family life unsatisfactory, she typically has no major alternative source of gratification” (Gove, 34).  Aside from the fragility of holding a single role, many housewives feel that they hold a position of “low prestige,” that doesn’t require a lot of knowledge or experience to succeed (Gove, 34). This causes many women to feel discouraged, insecure, and sometimes worthless. Furthermore, the role of housewife is rather disorganized, because it is easy for women to procrastinate, get distracted, or sulk in negative feelings as a result (Gove, 35).  Stereotypical men, on the other hand, generally hold structured jobs that demand attention and proper time management in order to meet deadlines. This often distracts and prevents men from wallowing in their problems, which could contribute to the lower rates of mental illness in men. It is important that we discourage sex role stereotypes, because they pressure women to fulfill stressful domestic roles on their own. This creates more mental disorders in women, and exposes them to the stigma associated with mental illness.

Women who struggle with clinical disorders are unfortunately treated differently by society than healthy women, due to the stigma of mental illness. Lindsay Holmes, Healthy Living Editor of The Huffington Post, argues that these negative stereotypes are a form of discrimination, because they promote negative attitudes about the mentally ill as a population. This stigma associated with mental illness discourages many victims from seeking help, because they are afraid of being viewed as “crazy” or “insane” (Freeman). In fact, those who struggle with mental illnesses “are more likely to encounter law enforcement than get medical help” (Holmes). In other words, someone who suffers from a mental disorder is more likely “cry for help” by acting out against the law than they are to seek psychological help when in need. This is discouraging, because most law enforcement officials are not even properly trained to assist those with psychological disorders (Freeman). This could account for the fact that United States jails hold more of the nation’s mentally ill than hospitals do (Holmes). It is important that law enforcement officials receive proper training in order to ensure that they can properly recognize a mentally ill offender and seek out the best treatment for them. This is beneficial not only for those struggling with mental disorders, but for the safety of society.*** Aside from the stigma associated with their diseases, those with clinical disorders face numerous other disadvantages.  For example, an employed person who struggles with a mental disorder earns an average of $16,000 less a year than a mentally healthy employee (Freeman). This, along with other factors, contributes to the higher rates of homelessness among the mentally ill (Holmes). These economic setbacks cause an even greater disadvantage for the mentally sick, because treatment can be expensive and is not readily available everywhere. Comedian and depression survivor, Ruby Wax, questions, in her T.E.D. talk, why mental illnesses are often viewed as “imaginary illnesses” as opposed to “real illnesses” such as organ failure. Maybe these disorders would be taken more seriously if treatment was widely accessible and if mental health education programs were enforced.  Unfortunately, discrimination and stigma is not the only consequence faced by women with mental illnesses.

Recent studies have shown that mental disorders can have long term negative health effects on those who struggle.  Lena Sun, national reporter specializing in health, explains that women in the United States are more susceptible to mental health problems than men, especially as they age. These women, specifically those above the age of sixty-five also experience extreme difficulty completing simple daily tasks such as eating, bathing, and getting dressed on their own (Sun). Furthermore, those with psychological problems are significantly more likely to develop other diseases. For example, men and women with mental health problems are “twice as likely to have heart disease or diabetes” at some point in their lives (Sun). Discriminatory practices, such as the enforcement of gender stereotypes, expose women not only to higher rates of psychological distress, but consequently to stigma and health problems. 

Deep-seated gender role stereotypes and societal expectations pressure many women into assuming the role of housewife and performing domestic work without any help. This fragile and sometimes disorganized role can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders in women. The affected women of these mental disorders are unfortunately exposed to discrimination and other health issues as a result. The best way to prevent this chain reaction is to start from the beginning and abolish gender role stereotypes. 

Many steps can be taken to prevent sex role stereotypes, one of which includes introducing gender neutral toys at a young age. Primarily, toys such as kitchen sets, broom and dustpans, and baby dolls are considered feminine. Similarly, racecars and trucks, tool sets, and action figures are considered masculine. The respective use of these toys instills, at a young age, the idea that girls and women are supposed to cook, clean, and care for their children, while boys and men can race, build, and take on other occupations. In order to prevent future generations from carrying on gender role stereotypes, it is important for parents give their children the option to choose their own toys and interests. For example, if a young girl prefers playing with fire trucks as opposed to baby dolls, there is no reason why she should not play with fire trucks. Many children are influenced by the decisions and opinions of their peers. However, if all parents encourage their sons and daughters to choose their own games, children will hopefully disassociate gender with toys. Many companies produce toys in gender neutral colors such as green and yellow, to avoid the suggestion of masculinity or femininity through colors such as blue and pink. It is important that teachers and parents purchase these types of toys for their students and children, in order to ensure they “grow up to be whoever they want to be” without being subconsciously swayed by gender role stereotypes. 

Another way to prevent gender stereotypes is by changing the way families are displayed in the media and on television. Many popular TV shows such as Family Guy, Real Housewives, and I Love Lucy, center around a family in which the wife is a stay at home mom and the father works. This further encourages gender role stereotypes and suggests that this kind of family is “normal.” Furthermore, a popular oven commercial came out last year featuring two stay-at- home moms in aprons, boasting about how efficient their oven is. This company, along with others, is marketing specifically based on traditional gender roles. Even when shows are on a 30 second break, viewers are bombarded with even more pressure to act according to their traditional gender role. This, like Family Guy, Real Housewives, and I Love Lucy, further proposes the idea that women are typically the ones to cook and clean. It is important that we change this common trend in television, by watching shows like Modern Family, Full House, and Who’s the Boss, that challenge the stereotypical concept of gender roles and redefine the American family. Full House, for example, features a single father, Danny Tanner, who raises his three daughters with the help of his best friend, Joey, and brother-in-law, Jesse. There is no way to ensure that the audience will approve, but slowly removing shows that feature “normal” families from cable could be a good start. By giving positive feedback and promoting these kinds of shows, we as a society can encourage major companies to produce more shows like them. It is important that we change the way families are displayed in the media in order to abolish the idea of gender roles and “normal” families.

Across the world, women are inclined to have more mental health issues than men. The underlying cause behind this statistic is that ideas of social norms and gender role stereotypes put a great deal of pressure on women. The gender roles engraved into our society not only create norms of inequality but, are also extremely detrimental to the mental health of women today. The effects of falling into a stereotype that doesn’t allow women to fulfill their full potential take a toll on one’s sanity. On top of that, the role of a housewife that is laid out for women in society is not an easy one. Women have the family on their shoulders as they make sure everyone has what they need, it can cause a lot of anxiety to have this weight on yourself. Women deal with a number of expectations in the role of homemaker - a role it was likely assumed they would take on willingly. The combination of the stress from running a family and household 24/7 to being locked into this stereotype by unfair gender roles contributes to mental illnesses in women today. The necessary steps to diminishing these stereotypes and ultimately deterring mental illnesses in women requires big societal changes. As the result of increased education on feminism and protests in recent years, society has begun to evolve towards a more gender equal place. Allowing women to explore roles in the work place and life outside the household would decrease mental illnesses because it would allow them to engage in other activities that they personally find rewarding. Not only that, but creating more gender neutral toys and clothes would instill an idea of equality in the minds of our youth in society. The way our society currently functions is decaying the minds and confidence of women who have the full potential to be something beyond a homemaker, and this is something that needs to change. Allowing women to live to their potential and have gender equality would create a stronger society for everyone.  
