Final answer:
The college student's response hints at the pressures of societal gender roles, particularly the expectation for men to always appear in control, and reflects the constraints these roles can impose on an individual's behavior and emotional expression.
Step-by-step explanation:
The college student’s response to the question, "How would your life be different if you were a member of the opposite sex?" suggests that men can feel constrained by their gender roles. This indicates an awareness of the societal expectations that men should always appear in control and not show vulnerability. Gender roles often dictate how individuals are expected to behave and even feel within society, with men typically being expected to exhibit traits such as strength, control, and stoicism.
These gender norms can be restrictive and lead to societal pressure to conform to specific behaviors, regardless of an individual's personal feelings or inclinations. The statement touches on the complexities of gender identity and the freedom or lack thereof that individuals experience in expressing themselves outside of the traditional gender norms. In contrast, roles assigned to women may seem to allow a greater emotional range and the option to seek support or appear less in control at times without facing as much societal scrutiny.