University of Warwick’s Center for the Study of Women and Gender http://thinkprogress.org/health/2014/08/07/3468380/gender-roles-health-risks/
Raising children in societies that adhere to rigid gender roles, with fixed ideas about what should be considered “masculine” and “feminine,” can actually be detrimental to their physical and mental health. “Usually we think of gender as natural and biological, but it’s not… We actually construct it in ways that have problematic and largely unacknowledged health risks,” . a study that observed 14-year-olds’ interactions over a three month period states alarming results. For instance, even girls who enjoyed sports often avoided physical activity at school because they assumed it wouldn't be a feminine thing to do, they worried they might look unattractive while running, or they were mocked by their male peers for not being good enough. The girls also put themselves on diets because they believed desirable women have to be skinny. Meanwhile, the male participants in the study all faced intense pressure to demonstrate the extent of their manliness, which led to what Pereira calls “everyday low-level violence”: slapping and hitting each other, as well as inflicting pain on other boys. In their one-on-one interviews, they all said they didn't actually like paying so much attention to the right “feminine” and “masculine” behaviors, and just assumed that’s what they were supposed to do. When Pereira concluded her research and held a group meeting to explain her results to the kids, they were amazed to learn that everyone was on the same page about that.
In the Grims fairy tale original telling of this story we are given young children by the name Hansel and Gretel who represent these common characteristics of gender.Thorough the specific tale we see a very predominant difference in both of these characters.
In Hansel's case we see many predominant features most notably in his quick thinking. Only known by Hansel, we are there to experience how Hansel uses this knowledge. Instead of instilling fear into his sister, he uses it to protect her and calm her saying "God will be with us" or "God is on our side". Thinking quickly we are shown to be a trait for the majority of the tale. we first see it from Hansel due to the "boy" masculinity and the means and desire to put themselves into a power or leader placement. Later in the tale we see Gretel use her quick thinking in the critical point of the story. when Gretel is given the ability to be the hero in the story we create a powerful gender role for the girl in the story. Though Hansel is the more resourceful one, Gretel is the more opportunistic. This establishes that thought both genders working together they would've both perished. Without Hansel they would've died in the forest, and without Gretel they would've died in the witches house.
In relation to the gender study we can conclude that Hansel and Gretel both attribute as equals. We see as comparisons to the children in the study that gender roles, when established and enforced, are equally disliked and feels unnatural. Different genders though are established contrary to each other, can contribute and exemplify the same feelings and actions. These actions being meekness or dominance, protective natures or selfishness. As gender roles are established, it takes away from the cooperative nature that children like Hansel and Gretel or the children in the study have. at a young age we are equal and work and think the same. Due to society, this is changed.
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