If you ask almost anyone in the United States, they will undoubtedly say the Sept. 11 attacks and America’s response have had profound political and economic implications, but they also have had a more subtle cultural impact as well. As the media has noted in numerous articles, the attacks have generated a newfound appreciation for heroic and manly men.

These men, whether they risk their lives on a daily basis as firefighters or police officers or simply carry out their desk jobs with authority and confidence, have all but replaced softer ideals of masculinity like the sensitive male.

While in the United States the predominant cultural image of rugged, brawny and heroic men has merely provided a benign resurrection of World War II era masculinity, the predominant cultural image of aggressive males in societies like that of Osama bin Laden has lead to more sinister cultural consequences such as the violent oppression of women.

Although the implications of gender roles upon societal values has suddenly become manifest by the events surrounding Sept. 11, broader conceptions of gender roles in society were relevant before this date and continues to be pertinent. The discussion of gender roles should not be relegated to a women’s studies course on the history of the women’s liberation movement, but should be an integral part of our cultural discourse.

As an English major, I am accustomed to scrutinizing conceptions of femininity and masculinity within works of literature, and as a result I sometimes feel acutely sensitive to cultural expressions of gender roles.

For example, my roommate and I routinely enjoy watching re-runs of “BuffyThe Vampire Slayer.” While I admire the Sarah Michelle Gellar’s ability to kick some major vampire butt and rid the world of evil, her stature as a role model for young women is made problematic by the sexualized nature of her character. Her tight-fitting clothes, cascading blond hair and perky demeanor fit too neatly within societal stereotypes of female sexuality. The same goes for Jessica Alba’s character in “Dark Angel.” Her stature as a sex symbol rivals her standing as an image of female power.

Perhaps the most prominent display of current cultural ideals of femininity can be found in the image of Britney Spears. She simultaneously embodies the paradox of Madonna/whore. Her repeated assertions of her virgin status are overtly coupled with her scantily clad, sexually provocative appearance.

Just as ideals of female sexuality thrive within the mainstream media, ideals of masculinity abound as well. Some of the most successful movies of all time feature incredibly strong and stoic male characters, such as Indiana Jones or the Terminator. They are not effeminate or sensitive heroes who use words to solve conflicts but are physical heroes who use violence to overcome obstacles.

As much as gender roles play a prominent role in cultural dialogue, they greatly influence our everyday lives. From the home to the workplace to friendships to sexual relationships, gender roles significantly shape how we interact with each other.

A series of surveys conducted for the Washington Post in 1997 by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard University found that majorities of men and women believe there are still more advantages to being a man rather than a woman, and that most men do not understand the problems women face. The surveys found that with more equity for women in the home and workplace comes more stress.

While the surveys found indications of gender inequality biases against women, they also discovered indications of gender inequality against men. For example, researchers are finding that even though female children may be allowed to play with traditionally male toys such as play guns or sports equipment, male children are being scolded or mocked by other children for playing with dolls and participating in other traditionally female activities. They say that as we devote time to trying to create equality for women, we are leaving young males by the wayside.

Even though everyone may not agree with the results of these studies, it is irrefutable that gender roles continue to be a relevant part of our everyday lives. Whether we observe coquettish females interacting with power-hungry males or we see males mocked for wearing pink shirts and females accused of being unfeminine for refusing to wear skirts, we undoubtedly operate in a world replete with gender stereotypes that color our relationships and our lives.

Sara Machi is a senior majoring in j