A gender role in psychology is a collection of expectations, behaviors and attitudes that are regarded as suitable by the society to individuals depending on their perceived gender. These roles are defined by the cultural norms, traditions, socialization processes and affect the way individuals are expressing themselves in family, workplace and community environments.
As an example, the classic gender roles tend to demand that men are assertive and task-oriented, whereas women are expected to be nurturing and emotionally expressive. Though expectations of this sort may give an individual a sense of belonging and identity, they may also inhibit individual freedom and help bring inequality when strictly followed. Contemporary studies emphasize that gender roles are not given but they change with time and that cultural values and the understanding of gender diversity have increased. Research also indicates that gender-role flexibility has been demonstrated to promote better relationships, enhance mental health, and give more opportunities to individuals to be authentic to them.