Shawn Andrews Authors Article on How Culture Impacts Our Value of Women for Forbes

As a gender expert, Shawn Andrews has spent a lifetime teaching and writing on gender-related topics. In particular, Shawn is interested in how we behave and present ourselves, and how gender impacts what we achieve in our work and personal lives. Socialization, defined as the process of learning to behave in a way that is acceptable to society, impacts both men and women. Surprisingly, socialization starts at a very young age with the pink or blue blankets we are wrapped in at birth. Culture also places a powerful role and in many cultures, women are expected to be responsible for things that men are not. Based on Shawn’s research and book, The Power of Perception, she has created a “Women and Leadership” course that she teaches at Pepperdine Graziadio.

From Shawn’s research, she has learned that family’s culture has the largest influences on our gender beliefs and gender roles—and seems to be ubiquitous across most races and ethnicities. Time and time again Shawn’s students share personal stories on how they were taught specific “women skills” and to excuse men’s behaviors because “boys will be boys.” However, strong culture and family influences can impact the personality, success and dreams of young women and last a lifetime. Read more.