Being male or female comes with many societal gender norms and roles, which often affects how we live out our daily lives. These gender roles negatively impact each individual in our society.

But, what about the non-binary individuals?

There are many ways that gender roles affect non binary individuals as well, and here are two of them:
* misgendering and transphobia occurs, leaving non binary people to be pressured into female and/or male gender roles
* within the portion of people who accept non binary identities, non binary people also face gender roles and norms set for non binary individuals.

Misgendering and transphobia occurs, leaving non binary people to be pressured into female and/or male gender roles:

A lot of the time, non binary people face gender roles and norms handed out to people particularly of the male/female gender. This often occurs do to misgendering, or transphobic beliefs.

For female or feminine-looking non binary individuals, this can include "looking hot," staying home and cleaning, always being with the kids, never really working, acting fragile or weak, and/or always being motherly. Other scenarios are also valid, so feel free to comment your experiences or something you've seen in your life.

For male or masculine-looking individuals, often times you aren't allowed to show much emotion, assumed to me nasty or dirty or immature, being the "man" of the house, expected to work and pay the bills, assumed to be against feminism.

In either of these cases, for feminine or masculine people, many male and female gender norms and roles are placed onto their shoulders, even if they don't identify as a binary gender.

Within the portion of people who accept non binary identities, non binary people also face gender roles and norms set for non binary individuals:

There is always this image of a non-binary person that pops up often when someone thinks of "non binary," and is often found in images on the Internet.

Many people think that to be androgynous is to be non-binary, or that that is the only valid identity to have. However, there are various non-binary identities, each varying on the scale of masculinity and femininity.

Another image could be to be skinny or lean, to have small breasts, having short and colored hair, etc.

Yes, a non-binary person can identify or be this way, but again, there is a lack of diversity in these gender norms, that often offend and hurt separate individuals.

We should all be more aware of these judgements, and help change them. They benefit no one and have no reason to be here, so let's support and love each person--male, female, or non-binary--for who they truly are.

Feel free to comment your thoughts and experiences, if open to replies.