Gender Roles Are Changing Too, Right? Wrong? Essay

Times are changing, and that means antiquated gender roles are changing too, right? Wrong. Since forty to fifty percent of all married couples in the United States get divorced, parents often have to fight for custody of their children. Statistically speaking, in the event of a divorce, the mother is more likely to get custody of the child unless she has substance abuse problems or other issues that might affect her own health. This is unfair because a father who could be a better parent to his child is often passed over in order to act upon the “best interests of the child.” Both fathers and mothers can be good parents, but why is the mother automatically assumed to be a better to the child? It is seen that way because typical gender stereotypes affirm that women are natural nurturers and men are natural neglectors? Is it because stay-at-home parents are better for child development, and that a stay-at-home mom is better than a stay-at-home dad? If so, that is not the case at all. In fact, it is sexist to assume that men cannot be the primary caregivers to their children. The issue of child custody in the United States leans heavily in favor of women, which may lead to endangerment and unnecessary hardship in a child’s life if the mother is not an adequate parent. Therefore, in the event of a divorce, fathers should be just as likely of receiving custody of their children as mothers. A few years ago, a woman named Jasmine Gordon got custody of her daughter after…