Interview Assignment

Introduction

Aging is a universal experience, yet it is deeply influenced by gender, shaping the roles, expectations, and experiences of individuals as they navigate the later stages of life. The position and experiences of men and women in society change with time, and so does how they age. Cultural and social factors, economic realities, and historical perspectives have, therefore, shaped the art of growing old for both men and women. These differences give important information about the lives of older adults and show how gender affects identity, relationships, and roles in society: Interview Assignment.

The aim of this paper is to analyze the life stories of two people aged 65 and above, one male and one female. In the interviews, I explored their biography, views on aging, and experiences of the change in gender relations in their lifetime. By examining these stories, I aim to better understand how aging is differently and similarly experienced by different genders and thus unravel the complexities of aging as a gendered process.

The interviews will be used to explore society and changes in gender roles over time. Notably, the interviews allowed the two interviewees to speak for themselves and show how their experiences and thoughts enrich the process of aging. Therefore, this exploration seeks to extend the knowledge of aging and gender and perhaps generate ideas that may be useful to others in the same regard.

Overview of Life Histories

Interviewee 1: Male

The first interviewee was John, a 72-year-old man from Ohio, born in 1951. He was born into a low-income family, and he has two siblings. His father was a factory worker, and his mother was a housewife who took care of all her children. John has many talents and was raised with good principles, such as honesty, integrity, and working hard.

John’s childhood was as basic as any other person from a small town. He remembers playing in the fields, helping his parents with the chores, and the close-knit community they lived in. He shared many memories of summer picnics and family functions that he cites as the fundamental experiences that define his love and community.

Key Life Events

Throughout his life, John experienced several significant events that shaped his identity. After graduating high school, he worked at a local factory, following in his father’s footsteps. He then got a job at another factory to support the family, as his father did when he completed high school. He then turned to teaching and is currently a high school teacher.

This career change was informed by the passion to teach students and be of value to society. John met his wife at college, and they have two children, whom John says are his greatest achievements in life. During the interview, John looked back at his career and highlighted the shift in the position of men in society.

He says that men were expected to be the providers, especially in the early years of his working life. However, he has also seen the change in these expectations over time, especially when more women had to work and study.

Personal Stories Related to Aging and Gender Roles

Throughout John’s lifetime, there have been great transformations in what is culturally expected of men, especially elderly men. He says he has felt the pressure of being a man of few words and not showing emotions throughout his life. Nevertheless, he has slowly learned the value of opening up and sharing his feelings because, as he is getting older, he has had to deal with matters such as illnesses and the death of friends.

John has also changed his view on gender roles. He talks about the appreciation of the roles women have played, especially in the workplace. He has often had a number of powerful female colleagues and has learned many things about gender equality from them. He believes that men should join the conversation and fight for gender equality since this is the only way to improve relationships between people.

Interviewee 2: Female

Background Information

The second interviewee was Mary, a 68-year-old woman born in suburban California in 1955. Mary is the middle child of five children; she has two brothers and two sisters. Her father was an engineer, and her mother was a part-time employee and a full-time housewife. Mary can recall experiencing gender roles from a young age in her case because while her mother encouraged the learning of domestic skills, she did not encourage academic achievement.

Mary had a difficult but happy childhood as well. She explained that she felt that she was dominated by her brothers in the family, but she coped with reading and writing. She also used to study at a local library, where she began reading, which informed her future occupation.

Key Life Events

English literature became Mary’s choice of study after high school, which was big for a woman then. After completing her studies, she became a teacher and later switched to the publishing sector. Throughout her working period, she encountered many challenges, such as gender bias and wage differences. However, Mary did not give up and became one of the most respected editors in the publishing industry.

Mary got married at the age of 28 and had two children while working. During her early marriage period, she had to surrender her working life in order to take care of the family. However, she expressed gratitude for her husband, who helped her continue her career.

Personal Stories Related to Aging and Gender Roles

As Mary nears her seventies, she has noticed that gender roles have changed since she was young. She mentions that she was bullied into fitting the cultural norms of a woman, which, the majority of the time, went hand in hand with her aspirations. Nonetheless, she feels it is something to be proud of, having been one of the first women to break the barriers and acknowledge the advancements in gender rights.

She tells some touching stories about female friendships during a woman’s life. These relationships, she says, have been supportive and a source of company while she goes through the process of aging. She also looks at the role of women, especially older women, in society and points out that although ageism is rampant, more people appreciate the knowledge of older women.

Mary summarizes the need to fight for women’s rights and their participation in society. She says that women should not stop voicing themselves as they grow older and should fight the system so that future generations will have it better than the previous ones as far as gender roles are concerned.

Gender Roles and Their Evolution

Male Perspective

John’s reflections on male roles over the decades reveal a profound evolution in societal expectations. As a boy in the 1950s and 60s, John learned that boys were tough, did not cry, and were the breadwinners of the family. This is a very traditional viewpoint, and it meant that there was a lot of pressure on him to do well in his working life, something he felt was very much part of who he was. John noted that when he began his teaching career, the prevailing culture expected men to be tough and commanding, and this often created a rigid culture in the classroom where the teacher’s authority had to be absolute with minimal room for warmth.

In the second stage, John also noticed that the culture’s attitudes toward masculinity changed in the last quarter of the twentieth century. The women’s movement, in combination with shifting economic realities, threatened the gender roles that had previously been defined. Women became fuller participants in the workforce and received an education; thus, it was time to redefine masculinity.

John understood that males are progressively being allowed to possess characteristics considered feminine for ages: tenderness, caregiving, and the ability to cry. He liked this change because he said it helped him have more real interactions not only in his private life but also in his teaching practice.

John also noted changes in the family relations. While partners began to divide work in the family, he became more involved in child-caring and domestic matters. It also helped to enhance the relationship with the children as well as the identity of the father beyond being the breadwinner of the family. He has noted how such changes have added value to his life and the fact that flexibility in gender roles is critical in the development of healthier families among males and females.

Female Perspective

Mary’s perspective on female roles reflects a similar evolution but through the lens of the challenges and triumphs faced by women over the years. Born in the 1960s, Mary was fully aware of the restricted roles assigned to women, including education and career. This showed her mother’s desire to ensure her daughter understood that a woman’s place is at home, tending to the family. Mary sometimes felt oppressed by these roles, as people discouraged her when she wanted to write.

When Mary started working in the 1970s, she faced challenges such as gender discrimination and unequal pay. Nevertheless, she was ready to fight for her place in this type of business as much as in the publishing world. Through the years, Mary has observed changes in people’s perception of women’s place.

The women’s movement of the 1970s and ‘80s was the force that had crusaded for women’s rights and gave women the opportunity to break through barriers that had been put in place. Women finally wanted equal rights at work, and Mary was happy to be in this generation to fight for these rights.

Change in gender roles at the workplace also opened and allowed women to work and, at the same time, be mothers. Mary also looks at the challenge that she had to face most of the time, the conflict between work and family life. However, she also understood that her career success has set an example for her daughters: a woman can be a professional and still be a mother. In the recent past, Mary has seen a change in how society perceives older women.

However, the baby boomer generation and women in their sixties and seventies remain discriminated against in the workplace. Still, people realize the value of their experience and knowledge. Women are being appreciated for their roles, and Mary feels free to speak up and tell her story, debunking the myths of aging women. She pointed out that this change is urgent for future generations because it helps women fully become themselves at any age.

Both John and Mary’s cases are evidence that gender roles have changed over the years. More people are accepted by society for who they are or for what they choose to be, and this has opened up the possibility of people being able to define themselves in a non-traditional manner regarding gender roles. It not only enhances people’s experience but also creates an environment where both men and women can prosper.

Comparative Analysis

John and Mary’s life stories reveal striking similarities and important differences in their experiences, shaped significantly by the gender roles prevalent during their respective upbringings. Both interviewees were children during the middle of the twentieth century when many cultural norms regarding gender roles were clearly defined. Each experienced a degree of oppression in terms of social role expectations; John was the economic provider, and Mary was the family caretaker and cook. They showed how these roles determined their early life decisions and how they created the role they were playing in life.

Still, one of the major relative similarities between John and Mary is their understanding of the historical aspect of gender roles. For both interviewees, there is a strong sense of gratitude for the transformation each has seen throughout their lifetime. John learned how an emotional change of masculinity made it possible for him to build a better and more constructive relationship with his family.

Likewise, Mary applauded the current status of feminine justice through the prism of women’s rights activist movements that enabled her to start publishing. Yet, both interviewees stressed the role of flexibility as the survival strategy in relation to the shifting regulatory landscape of gendered behavior, gesturing toward their readiness for new parts.

Their experiences differ in the same proportion. John is an example of a man struggling to stay true to the modern masculine stereotype that does not include many emotions. He described feelings of these expectations on men to be strong and rational as a weakness rather than as a strength.

Conversely, in Mary’s story, her themes relate to the fighting for professional acceptance within a masculinized work area. These experiences further portray women’s struggles at that time, especially in the workplace. While John was always pressurized into what men should be, Mary fought all that teenage girls were limited to, and all she wanted to be different was to get her space in the world.

For John and Mary, gender roles impacted their life experiences in terms of relationships and family life. John took up a more active responsibility in child care when society enabled him to become a new man with the new role of a caring father. That change was possible to reduce the level of detached parenting and bring him closer to the children as he wanted.

On the other hand, Mary’s problems of balancing between her work and family are living examples of the conflicts that still confront many women in dual roles. It is important to realize that women struggle with prejudices even as they endeavor to chart a different journey.

Finally, using the concept of gender, the comparative analysis of John and Mary reveals the issues connected with the changes in gender roles. Each interviewee has adapted to the changing roles within a society in a way, though differently. Although John has been less negatively affected by the slow shift of the conventional male stereotype toward a more emotional and tender man, Mary had to struggle with institutionalized prejudice to get a job and be properly recognized for it. Their success stories show that although much improvement has been made, there is still much room for improvement to ensure that future generations experience parity.

Listening to John and Mary’s life stories, their experiences gives much more vivid and profound insight into aging and gender issues, as well as focusing on the individual’s ability to overcome the difficult periods of life and the ability to adapt and master the personal narrative as a means of constructing the self.

Personal Reflection

The interview process was both enlightening and humbling, allowing me to engage with the life stories of John and Mary. Listening to their stories, I never ceased to see how they worked harder and became more flexible following the shift of gender roles. The interaction with the two showed how cultural norms influenced choices throughout life and, therefore, how all participants constructed their aging subjectivities. I noted that it was equally inspiring how both participants made adjustments towards the changes in gender roles, whereby John redefined the male aspect by adding emotions to it, while Mary fought for women’s rights in the employment sector.

These discussions not only shared important background knowledge about gendered aging but also revealed the effects of the change. By recognizing society’s impact, I also learned how these norms bind individuals and how human beings can change it or at least try. Used with permission, both John and Mary’s stories highlighted that lack of understanding is the biggest enemy of seniors and urged people to embrace the practice of talking to older adults.

In general, conducting the interviews has improved my awareness of personal stereotypes, as I can better identify my implicit biases in relation to gender stereotypes and aging. The interviews have further shown me that gender roles are always in a state of evolution, with regard to the changing experiences in both John and Mary’s lives over the years. After conducting these interviews, I want to continue addressing the issue of gender inequality in any way that I can.

                                                                    Conclusion

In conclusion, the interviews with John and Mary reveal significant insights into the evolution of gender roles and their impact on aging. They both raised powerful stories to explain how traditional responsibilities shaped their persona and decisions in life. Where John got a taste of chauvinistic values, Mary had to deal with barriers to a competent career. As the experiences of both interviewees show, gendered aging entails societal positive and negative frameworks for a notion of equality.

It is necessary to use this approach to further investigate these dynamics, discuss gender roles, and work toward increased equality between men and women. John and Mary show that people may never fully get to the end of the road in the fight for gender equality, and each story counts.

List of Interview Questions

1. Please tell me about your background, including where you were born and raised.
2. What key life events have shaped your experiences with aging and gender roles?
3. How did societal expectations of masculinity/femininity influence your choices in your early life?
4. In what ways have you seen gender roles change over the course of your life?
5. Can you share a personal story that highlights the impact of these changing gender roles on your relationships or family life?
6. How do you perceive the role of men/women in society today compared to when you were younger?
7. What challenges have you faced in navigating your gender role as you age?
8. How have your views on masculinity/femininity evolved as you have gotten older?
9. In your opinion, what are some of the most significant barriers that still exist for older men/women in today’s society?
10. What advice would you give younger generations about understanding and navigating gender roles?
11. How do you envision the future of gender roles as society continues to evolve?
12. Are there any final thoughts or reflections you would like to share about your experiences with aging and gender?

Interview at least one man and one woman over the age of 65 and ask them to tell you about themselves. While it is acceptable to use family members as interviewees, you may wish to interview someone outside of your family for a different perspective on aging.

In your interviews, you will be looking for gender differences that people have noticed over time. It is usually easiest for people to tell you about themselves in the form of a story.

You may use the following questions as prompts, but ask additional questions to gain a deeper understanding of how political, social, and economic climates have influenced men and women as they age.

• What year were you born?
• Where did you grow up?
• Who were the people who lived with you while you were growing up?
• What was your childhood like? What do you remember most?
• What was your first job?
• Have you ever married?
• Have you ever had children?
• How has the role of women changed from your perspective?
• How has the role of men changed?
• What do you think about these changes?

Interview guidelines:

• Your interview can be done in person or virtually.
• Schedule a time to interview well before the assignment is due. Set aside 60-90 minutes to complete your interview.
• Inform the individuals you are interviewing that you are asking them questions as part of an assignment for this class in order to get a better understanding of how life has changed for men and women as they age. Assure them that you will not use their real names in the report.
• Let them know that they do not have to answer any questions that make them uncomfortable and that you will not be offended if they choose not to share information with you.
• Be mindful of any age-related issues that may (or may not) impact the interview process. This can include sensory deficits (e.g. hearing, vision, mobility) that may require you to make adjustments. Be sure to make note of these adjustments in your write-up.
• Be polite and professional and remember to say “thank you.”
• Follow up with a thank you message in the form of a card, phone call, email, or another appropriate method.

Write an 8-10 page report summarizing your findings (not including the title page or reference list). Include the age of your subjects, a summary of their stories, and how gender roles have changed over time from the perspective of your interviewees. Do NOT include real names.

The report should read as a biography rather than a question-and-answer session. After summarizing each person’s story, you should draw comparisons between the two interviewees and draw conclusions about what you have learned about gender roles through the eyes of your subjects.

Your assignment should include the following components:

• An introduction and statement of purpose
• An overview of life histories
• A clear and concise description of interviewees’ perceptions of the role of gender in their lives
• A detailed evaluation of the ways in which interviewees are similar and different and whether these are influenced by gender roles
• A personal reflection about the interview experience and its impact on your own ideas of gendered aging.

Your paper should tell a story about your interviewees as well as your own personal reflections about what you have learned about aging and gender. Your ideas should be well-developed and supported with examples from your interviews. They should flow in a clear, logical manner throughout your paper.

Your assignment should be double-spaced with 1” margins on all sides. Use a standard font such as Times New Roman or Arial. You do not need to submit a separate title page, but please make sure that your name is listed in the header region of the document.

You should provide your list of questions on a separate page at the end of your report.

If you use references, you should provide a reference list at the end of your paper using APA-7 format. Outside references are not required for this assignment; however, if you do use outside references, please use correct in-text citations as appropriate and provide a reference list at the end of your work using APA format