Gender Stereotypes and Victimization

Gender stereotypes are socially constructed meanings about female and male characteristics or behaviors, and these are reinforced through social interactions and media portrayals. Gender stereotypes include rules about appropriate performance of gender, or doing gender appropriately, and individuals often act to reinforce expectations when gender is performed in non-normative ways. Victimization of women by men reflects gender stereotypes as men reassert masculinity and punish female partners who are thought to challenge their female role. Victim blaming persists along with gender stereotypes, as female victims are judged and men's violence is legitimated.