Chapter 22
Unpacking Gender The word 'Gender' refers to the different
values, attitudes and behaviors that are attached to the roles of males and
females by different social and cultural groups. For example, women cook and clean, men fix
cars and fly aeroplanes! ROLES OF BOYS
AND GIRLS Even as babies, boys and girls are treated differently. In some communities, boys are always dressed
in blue and not in pink as it is nsidered to be a 'feminine' color. Stereotypical gender roles, like males are
tough and females are the weaker sex, originate from roles that are taught
during childhood. By the age of three,
children tend to be aware of their gender they are encouraged to prefer the
sports, clothing, way of speech, and other aspects of culture usually
associated with boys or girls. Males are
told 'boys don't cry' and are given guns and cars as toys and girls are given
dolls and playhouses, so that they can play the traditional female home making
role. The gist of the matter is that
girls are schooled to be soft and obedient, and boys are told to be tough and
dominating. In this way, the society
wrongly ingrains the specific roles that girls and boys are supposed to play
when they grow up into women and men.
SOCIETY AND STEREOTYPING The notion of stereotyping is generally
negative. It VELE creates discrimination
that results in inequality. It hampers
the individual thought. It is prejudiced,
irrational and based on fear of what is different stereotyping of roles has
deep roots in the human mind. It may
have originated in the early primitive tribes, as they struggled for the
control of territory, the physical strength 1947A we stood for freedom then of
males was considered very important. But
unfortunately, the domination continues even in modern times. The effort to create a free, democratic and
rational society, where everyone enjoys equality, continues to be an important
Empowering Women: Towards political and social issue. A New Dawn 2008: we stand for freedom now
"183
Stereotyping of gender roles may vary from culture to
culture but the fact remains that most the 'set' activities assigned to girls
and boys do not end with the selection of toys for each. They also influence the selection of subjects
in school and college. Later on, the
value attached to the behavioural differences between males and females are
determined by society. GENDER INEQUALITY
work of males and females also differs.
Most women work much harder than their male counterparts. But the invisibilisation of women's labor
fails to get them their due share. The
housework and childcare are not considered 'work The condition of rural women
is quite sad. As rural men are migrating
to cities in large numbers in search of employment, the women have taken over
the responsibility of looking after the farms.
They continue to do their traditional works in household, i.e. family care, fetching water, fodder,
firewood, basket making, etc. They also
work on the farms during sowing and harvesting along with looking after the
cows, buffaloes and hens. The list of
their work is endless! The domestic
maids in big cities also work very hard, live under unhygienic conditions and
lead a life without dignity. They dream
of a better life in cities as compared to their rural counterparts, but
continue to survive under discriminating conditions. Look at the picture. A woman labourer is working on a road
construction site and carrying her baby at the same time. The condition of urban educated women is not
very different. She begins her day at
the crack of dawn. She cooks for the
entire family, sends her children to school, packs her husband's lunch and goes
to the bus stand to catch an overcrowded vehicle. At work, she has to perform her duties
equivalent to her male counterpart. Once
back home in the evening, she has to complete the household chores and then
manages to catch a few hours sleep before following the same routine the next
day! The work she does at home is
unaccountable. It is not considered
productive, 184
The woman's role as a caregiver and homemaker has not been
accorded its rightful place. She gives
birth, lactates her babies, cares for them, feeds the family and attends to the
sick and older members of the family and still faces discrimination The issue
of women's inequality is not limited to India alone; it is an international one. A well laid out planning is required on
international level for gender equality because even the most developed
countries have been unsuccessful in ensuring a rightful place for the women in
the society. For example, Right to Vote
was given to women in England in 1928 only, and in France in 1944 after a long
period of demand. Gender inequality
exists in most parts of the world in different forms: Mortality inequality:
women mortality rates are higher A rag picker as compared to men all over the
world. Natality inequality: Many male -
dominated societies have preference for boys.
The techniques of determining the gender of the foetus has encouraged
this inhuman practice, basic facility inequality: girls are denied the right to
education and many other facilities in many countries, even today. Special opportunity inequality: The
opportunities of higher education and professional training are less for young
women and more for young men.
Professional inequality: In employment as well as promotion, women often
face discrimination Ownership inequality: In many societies the basic assets,
ie home and land are owned by
males. The lack of claim to property
reduces the voice of women. Household
inequality: There are basic inequalities in gender that are reflected sharing
of housework and childcare. EDUCATION
AND AWARENESS Do You Know? In earlier
times, Indian society gave due respect to women. We had famous women philosophers, writers as
well as social reformers. But the
situation changed slowly and gradually and discrimination against women
increased and they were denied their rightful place 185 The legal body set - up
for the protection of women's rights in India is "The National Commission
for Women
But today, education and awareness has empowered the woman
to emerge as a powerful force in political and economic women army officers
spheres. Many women social activists
have led strong movements against the government, in politics women have shown
the world that they are capable of being eminent leaders. They have achieved international fame in the
world of writing, fashion, herbal beauty, information technology, medicine,
engineering, teaching aeronautics, games and sports, etc. Education makes the women aware of their
rights, their rightful place in the society and the factors that hamper their
growth. It empowers a woman to recognize
her potential and end the gender bias. A
new taxi service in Mumbai has been powered with a team of well - educated,
reliable and courteous drivers. Delhi
tourism has started Project Priyadarshani, where women cab drivers and tourist
guides are inducted into the 'Incredible India' campaign women drivers do you
know? International Women's Day is
celebrated on March 8 every year. Look
at the photograph of Poonam. She is a
proof that education can change the society.
She grew up in a village where they did not even have a bus
service. But her mother insisted on
sending her to school as she was an exceptionally bright child. She stood first in her district in Class - X. Her father wanted her to get married because
of family pressure but her teachers persuaded him to let her study, Her family
had to face a lot of criticism. But the
whole village was thrilled when Poonam passed Class - XII with flying colors
and was given scholarship. Later, she
completed her Ph.D. in Physics and is
now teaching in Delhi University Poonam a professor 186
Poonam proved to be a torchbearer for many other rural girls
who otherwise would not have received any education or awareness. But the real credit goes to her illiterate
parents who withstood the social pressure and gave a chance to their daughter
to make a better life for herself. NEED
OF GENDER EQUALITY Gender inequality hurts the interest not only of girls and
grown - up women, but also of boys and men, who play an important role in
achieving gender equality. Equal sharing
of responsibilities and a harmonious partnership between women and men are
necessary for the well - being of their family as well as for Indian
democracy. Shared power and
responsibility between women and men at home, in the workplace, at national and
international levels would help to create harmony within the family and
society. Men and women must be
encouraged to share childcare and household work to enhance the understanding
of the issue of gender equality, Rani Laxmibai Sarojini Naidu Amrita Pritam
Mahadevi Verma Mahashweta Devi Keywords discriminating: treating someone as
inferior or lower in status. domination
in total control over others. harvesting
gathering ripened crops.
invisibilisation: not to see or ignore.
primitive tribes: early humans who depended on land or animal rearing
for survival. rational society: group of
people who think sensibly. social
activists: people who work for bringing positive change in society or for the
welfare of the people. 187
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