Tradition is really important when it comes to certain things because it can help you connect with your culture better, but there is a downside to tradition too, it can also keep you in the past where gender roles are prevalent. Traditional gender roles have played a huge role in society and the media because what they depict alters our view of what's normal and right although at times that is not true. Why is it that the media chooses to show the mother of the household in the kitchen cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry while the father lounges in the living room watching tv? This is just one example of a traditional gender role. We've come to believe that image and are told not to stray from it even though everyone in a household should have the same responsibilities.
Beneatha from A Raisin in the Sun chooses to stray from the traditional gender roles placed on her by Mama, Ruth, and Walter, but is immediately punished for being herself. She tells Mama exactly what she thinks and is slapped because of her forward thinking views on society and God. It's clear that she wants to move forward but can't because her family is subjecting her to the gender roles it deems normal.
We have to ask ourselves if tradition is worth not progressing into the future because if we continue to stereotype both sexes then we will never be able to develop our society.
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