Blog 3: sexual orientation or gender roles

After going to the University and interacting with men and women my age, I became curious about how younger people in Morocco view gender roles today. After reading the article “Gender stereotypes and youth voices in Morocco: masculinity, law, and change,” I learned that many young Moroccans are beginning to question traditional expectations placed on both men and women. Although older generations often believe women should focus mainly on the home while men provide financially, younger people are shifting their belief to equal roles in relationships, education, and careers. One point that stood out to me in the article was how young people are openly discussing the pressure gender stereotypes place on them. Young men explained that they feel expected to always appear strong and financially successful, while young women discussed the limitations they still face in society. One person in the study explained, “young people today want relationships based on partnership and mutual respect, not just traditional roles,” (El Khayat, A., & Boutaleb, S.). This quote showed me how much attitudes are beginning to shift among Morocco’s younger generation. The article also talked about how social media, education, and globalization are helping young Moroccans challenge older beliefs about masculinity and femininity. Many young women are pursuing higher education and careers, while some young men are becoming more supportive of women working outside the home and sharing household responsibilities. Even though Morocco has made legal reforms that support women’s rights, the article explains that cultural expectations still strongly influence daily life.


Editorial: After visiting EAS and interacting with men and women my age who were taking the next step to pursue a higher education and hearing about how Morocco’s current king has been modernizing Morocco, I wanted to see the effect that young people are having on typical gender roles. The article,  made it clear that the shift in attitude of the current generation has opened doors for all people but especially women. I found it inspiring that we were able to interact with young women pursuing higher education and helping challenge older stereotypes about what women can achieve. Although there has been lots of progress, I understand that there are still social pressures and expectations that may make equality more difficult to fully achieve. Overall, I think younger people in Morocco are playing a major role in creating conversations about gender equality and pushing society toward change while still respecting important cultural traditions.

El Khayat, A., & Boutaleb, S. (2025). Gender stereotypes and youth voices in Morocco: Masculinity, law, and change. The Journal of North African Studies. https://doi.org/10.1080/13629387.2025.2568856