Every summer Population Education is fortunate to host interns from around the U.S. These students bring their talents and passions to the PopEd program by completing a wide variety of projects. The following blog was written by one of PopEd’s 2025 summer interns.
Over the past decades, gender roles that were once seen as fixed have become increasingly fluid and diverse. From lecture halls to music charts, and from the corporate world to social media feeds, the ways we understand gender identity and expression are undergoing a profound transformation.
In the U.S. today, gender shifts are not only reshaping personal lives but also redefining institutions, education systems, and media landscapes. At the heart of these changes are important questions: Who gets to lead? Who gets to speak? And how do we build inclusive spaces for all genders to thrive?
Gender and Higher Education: Cracking the Academic Glass
Few areas reflect the evolution of gender roles more than academia. In many parts of the world, women have made remarkable strides in accessing and excelling in higher education marking a dramatic shift from generations ago when women were often excluded from higher education altogether.
Despite rising enrollment and academic achievements, gender disparities persist at the faculty level. Research conducted by the Pew Research Center shows that women make up about 60 percent of the student body at U.S. higher ed institutions, but women only hold 22 percent of university presidencies. Additionally, men continue to outnumber women in tenured positions and in disciplines such as engineering, physics, and computer science. The U.S. Census reported that men made up 73 percent of all STEM workers in 2019.
In recent years, higher education institutions have also become a battle ground for gender identity and expressions. Universities are grappling with how to create inclusive environments for non-binary and transgender students from updating pronoun policies to rethinking campus housing and gender inclusive bathrooms. Student led initiatives have pushed for more inclusive curricula and have faced pushback with critics accusing academia of becoming “too political.”
These tensions reflect a broader cultural clash between tradition and transformation. However, they also reveal the powerful reality that young people are not only questioning outdated gender roles but also rewriting them. In doing so, they are reshaping conversations around gender and actively challenging the structures that have long prioritized male voices in leadership, helping close the gap between who gets to speak, lead, and belong in academic spaces.
Breaking Stereotypes Onscreen: Film, TV, and Gender Representation
In film and television, the last decade has seen a surge in nuanced and diverse representation of gender. Shows like Pose, Euphoria, and Sex Education explore the complexities of gender identity with a level of authenticity and empathy that has not been seen previously. These shows not only provide visibility to underrepresented communities, but they actively challenge the stereotypes that have long dominated our screens.
For decades, mainstream media often portrayed rigid gender roles: men as stoic and dominant, women as passive or hyper-sexualized, and queer or trans characters as comic relief or tragic figures. By centering complex and layered characters, these shows are reshaping gender roles and pushing against stereotypes placed on individuals.
Music has become a space for pushing gender boundaries as well. Artists like Sam Smith, Janelle Monáe, Lil Nas X, and Beyoncé are reclaiming narratives around gender roles and sexuality. However, with increased visibility comes an increase in backlash. The same artists who are celebrated for breaking gender norms are often targeted online and faced with criticism.
Still, the momentum we are seeing is undeniable. Social media has opened the door to gender discourse giving rise to influencers, educators, and artists who are reshaping how youth and adults see themselves and each other. Tik Tok trends, YouTube channels, and Instagram reels are full of users dissecting and pushing back against gender stereotypes, sharing their personal stories, or simply embracing styles and roles that defy the “typical” roles and categorization that society is used to. What once felt radical is now becoming mainstream and the media is both a mirror and an alarm for that change.
Gender Equality and a Sustainable Future
The evolution of gender roles is not a passing trend; it reflects deeper societal transformations towards equity, inclusion, and sustainability. These shifts matter not only for individual empowerment but also for the health of society at large. As gender norms evolve, so do the definitions of parenthood, leadership, and partnership. Men are increasingly expected and encouraged to be emotionally present and share caregiving roles. Women are asserting leadership in science, policy, and business without being asked to compromise their authenticity. More women in positions of power means more policies and norms that center women’s rights, paving the way for increased access to reproductive healthcare and autonomy in decision-making.
When gender roles are rigid, opportunities are restricted. But when flexible, more people can pursue education, lead change, and build resilient communities. Gender equity is not only a human right but rather a cornerstone of sustainable development. Empowering women and girls, supporting gender-diverse individualism, and dismantling barriers to education and expression are all central to building a just and livable future.
Image credits: Wellesley College (Jared and Corin, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons); Cast of Pose at 2018 Pride (https://www.flickr.com/photos/dvsross/, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons); Women in Business at the White House in 2014 (Women in Business at the White House by businessforward is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0)
