It seems that there are more bisexual and homosexual people today than there have been before. What is causing the increasing numbers? While homosexuals and bisexuals do seem more common and are certainly more visible, it is hard to determine whether their percentage in the population is actually changing. Since our culture has a long history of persecuting homosexuality, it is quite likely that in the past many more homosexuals simply "remained in the closet," to others and possibly even to themselves. Greater societal acceptance has encouraged more people to admit to their sexual orientation. Is there anything good about gender roles? The performance of certain tasks is crucial to the functioning of any society, such as child rearing and participating in the work force. If gender roles define who does which of these tasks, then every job gets done without conflict or controversy, and society functions smoothly. The benefits of this smooth functioning at the societal level have a cost at the individual level, however. Some gender-assigned tasks are more menial and less valued by society, for example. Also, strict gender roles don't allow for individuals to utilize strengths and abilities not typically assigned to their gender. | 
2002 McGraw-Hill Higher Education