Gender Issues (school and society)

Gender and patriachy, gender bias and its types, gender stereotype, its effects , how we overcome from stereotype, Equity and equality in relation with caste and reforms in india.
B.ed 2nd year

1. B.Ed Second year GENDER, SCHOOL AND SOCIETY

2. GENDER ISSUES

3. GENDER AND PATRIACHY Gender is a very complex topic in our society. Gender is the range of characteristics pertaining to, and differentiating between, masculinity and femininity. Depending on the context, these characteristics may include biological sex, sex-based social structures (i.e., gender roles), or gender identity.

4. For example, the concept of gender was first developed by Iill Matthews in 1984 in her study of the construction of femininity. According to Mathews, the concept of gender gives recognition to the fact that every known society distinguishes between women and men. gender is a analytical category that is socially constructed to differentiate the biological difference between men and women. The term gender is also used to describe the differences in behaviour between men and women which are described as „masculine‟ and „feminine‟.

5. Some theorists suggest that the biological differences between men and women also result in their mental and physical differences. They argue that biologically, men are physically and mentally superior to women. Other theorists suggest that the biological difference between men and women are exaggerated. The differences are socially constructed by the patriarchal system of society by which men are described as superior to women. Therefore women become subordinate to men in the society.

6. PATRIARCHY

7. The term implies “male domination”, “male prejudice (against women)”, or more simply “male power”. The term means “the absolute rule of the father or the eldest male member over his family”. Patriarchy is thus the rule of the father over all women in the family and also over younger socially and economically subordinate males. Patriarchy has been a fundamentally important concept in gender studies.

8. Patriarchy automatically privileges men over women such that women have little or no claims to material, sexual and intellectual resources of the society. That is, in a patriarchal society women have to struggle to be educated, to have property or to make choices regarding marriage and other aspects of life. For men, these resources are a matter of right and can make choices that affect their lives.

9. If a women complains of sexual harassment at her work place, and all the men in her office deny that this could ever happen. The reasoning of men can be described as being “typically patriarchal”. When a man raises his voice in the course of an argument and insects on his point of view, without letting others especially women get to utter a single word, his actions are likely to be described as “aggressively patriarchal” These examples explain the many different and subtle ways through which patriarchy is expressed in the society.

10. Patriarchy has both productive and punitive aspects. Thus women who wish to remain single and refuse marriage and treated with disdain by the society. Similarly, women who are not fertile or those who cannot bear children especially male are ridiculed and held in contempt and their position in the family is a non-existent one.

11. Gender bias is  behavior that shows favoritism toward one gender over another . Most often, gender bias is the act of favoring men and/or boys over women and/or girls.  Bias can be conscious or unconscious, and may manifest in many ways, both subtle and obvious.

12. Androcentrism Androcentrism means being centred on, or dominated by males and can be conscious (the individual knows they are behaving this way) or unconscious. In the past most psychologists were male, and the theories they produced tended to represent a male view of the world.  Hare- Mustin and Marecek (1988)  argued for there being two types of gender bias: alpha and beta bias.

13. Alpha Bias Alpha bias refers to theories which exaggerate the differences between males and females. For example, in his psychoanalytic approach, Freud argued that because girls do not suffer the same oedipal conflict as boys, they do not identify with their mothers as strongly as boys identify with their fathers, so develop weaker superegos.

14. Beta Bias Beta bias theories have traditionally ignored or minimised sex differences. These theories often assume that the findings from males can apply equally to females. For example, Kohlberg’s stage theory of moral development was based on extensive interviews that he conducted with boys aged 10-16. The same all male sample was then re-interviewed at intervals of 3-4 years over a 20- year period. His classification system is based on a morality of justice and some researchers, such as Carol Gilligan (1982), have found that women tend to be more focused on relationships when making moral decisions and therefore often appear to be at a lower level of moral reasoning when using Kohlberg’s system. Therefore Kohlberg’s approach meant that a real difference was ignored.

15. G ender stereotyping involves how men and women are expected to act, speak, dress, and conduct themselves, based on their sex. These preconceived gender roles can limit men’s and women’s capacity to pursue professional careers and prevent them from making individual choices about their lives.

16. There are four basic kinds of gender stereotypes: Personality traits — For example, women are often expected to be accommodating and emotional, while men are usually expected to be self-confident and aggressive. Domestic behaviors — For example, some people expect that women will take care of the children, cook, and clean the home, while men take care of finances, work on the car, and do the home repairs.

17. Occupations — Some people are quick to assume that teachers and nurses are women, and that pilots, doctors, and engineers are men. Physical appearance — For example, women are expected to be thin and graceful, while men are expected to be tall and muscular. Men and women are also expected to dress and groom in ways that are stereotypical to their gender (men wearing pants and short hairstyles, women wearing dresses and make-up.

18. Hyperfemininity is the exaggeration of stereotyped behavior that’s believed to be feminine. Hyperfeminine folks exaggerate the qualities they believe to be feminine. This may include being passive, naive, sexually inexperienced, soft, flirtatious, graceful, nurturing, and accepting.

19. Hypermasculinity is the exaggeration of stereotyped behavior that’s believed to be masculine. Hypermasculine folks exaggerate the qualities they believe to be masculine. They believe they’re supposed to compete with other men and dominate feminine folks by being aggressive, worldly, sexually experienced, insensitive, physically imposing, ambitious, and demanding.

20. Lower your self-acceptance:  By believing in gender roles, men and women are equally vulnerable to experience low self-acceptance. They often don’t feel comfortable in their bodies. Lower your self-esteem:  Men and women who live in a society with strong gender stereotypes suffer from low self-esteem.  Lead to health problems:  To maintain a stereotypical image, people might starve themselves or push themselves too hard, putting their  entire wellbeing  at risk.   Spark violence:  Physical ability is commonly considered crucial for the stereotypical male. Men might feel the need to physically prove they’re “real” men, which can sometimes lead to violence. How do gender stereotypes affect people?

21. How can I fight gender stereotypes? You probably see gender stereotypes all around you. You might also have seen or experienced sexism, or discrimination based on gender. There are ways to challenge these stereotypes to help everyone — no matter their gender or gender identity — feel equal and valued as people. Be a living example. Speak up . Give it a try Education

22. Be a living example — Be a role model for your friends and family. Respect people regardless of their gender identity. Speak up — If someone is making sexist jokes and comments, whether online or in person, challenge them. Give it a try — If you want to do something that’s not normally associated with your gender, think about whether you’ll be safe doing it. If you think you will, give it a try. People will learn from your example. Education :  Everyone, especially young boys and girls, needs to be educated on the topic of gender stereotypes and gender roles. Teachers can help students see the harmful effects of believing in these stereotypes.

23. E quity and Equality

24. BASIS FOR COMPARISON EQUITY EQUALITY Meaning Equity is the virtue of being just, even-handed and impartial. Equality is described as a state, where everyone is at the same level. What is it? Means End Distribution Fair Even Recognizes Differences, and attempts to counteract unequal individual opportunities. Sameness and treats everyone as equal. Ensures People have what they need. Providing everyone, the same things.

25. The term equity refers to the system of justice and fairness, where there is an even-handed treatment of all the people. Equity demands fairness in every situation, i.e. whether it is the distribution of benefits or burdens. It seeks to provide all the individuals an equal opportunity, to let them attain their maximum potential. In this way, equity ensures that all the individuals are provided the resources they need to have access to the same opportunities, as the general population.

26. Equality is when everyone is treated in the same way, without giving any effect to their need and requirements. It is a situation where each and every individual is granted same rights and responsibilities, irrespective of their individual differences. Equality is the lifeline of the democratic society; that aims to prevent discrimination and provides an equal opportunity to all. It can be racial equality, equality between rich and poor, men and women, etc. A ll the individuals gets equal treatment in the society and are not discriminated on the basis of race, sex, caste, creed, nationality, disability, age, religion and so forth.

27. E quity and Equality in R elation with Caste

28. There was caste discrimination. The upper caste people would torture the lower caste people. Lower caste people weren’t allowed in certain places and occasions. Religious and social functions were a prohibition for them. The lower castes were punished if they touched any upper caste person or even if they were under the shadow of an upper – caste person. Upper – caste people didn’t accept food or water from a lower caste person

29. Reformers in India Periyar E.V. Ramaswamy tried to destroy the inequality against untouchables. Social reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Dayanand Saraswati , Veeraslingam Pantulu , Pandita Ramabai , Mumtaz Ali, Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar, etc supported equality for women and eradicate problems like social problems like Sati, child marriage, dowry, etc.

30. social equity - concepts.doc (saciwaters.org)