“Men have always been afraid that women could get along without them.”
-Margaret Mead
“the qualities and behaviors expected of women by a particular society at a particular historical time is called femininity; masculinity is what is expected of men in a particular cultural and historical setting.”
Beyond the fated love role here, gender roles are identified as feminine and masculine within Lily’s and James’ patronuses, but Snape’s is not. Does that make him less masculine?
During the Order of the Phoenix, Hermione beats Ron in practice with ‘Dumbledore’s Army’, which causes immediate embarrassment. Men are supposed to be better than women right?
One aspect of the Harry Potter series that goes against stereotypes is that Harry and Ron usually look to Hermione for answers and plans in time of need. Given, the boys are stronger in normal male superior aspects such as physical fighting, Hermione is stronger in thinking on her toes and in wisdom.
There are two types of roles in society for each gender: ascribed and achieved. Ascribed roles are established at birth. Achieved roles are pursued and attained over a person’s life. Hermione breaks the mold here and pushes beyond her ascribed attributes to achieve those higher than expected.
