In: Psychology
Do all cultures have the same gender definitions/roles? What are some differences? Our text opens up with the Hijras, and how they define/manage gender. Share your thoughts about how they address gender in their society. As well, how do we address and manage gender in our society and does some of how we address/manage gender create social problems or troubles for us as a society?
Your Response should be 200 words in length
Gender definitions are not same in all the cultures because few cultures still have only two recognized gender male and female and the rest is considered as immoral. Developed countries, because of their individual rights, have accepted many types of gender other than male and female. Different cultures in the world has different gender role for men and women. Collective societies treat women only as a person responsible for bringing up children, look after the household tasks and have limited contact with the outsiders. Men on the other hand dominate the family society and religion. In developed countries, almost all of them have equal rights.
Hijras are neither male nor female but they have the characteristics of both and they are in few parts of India. They sacrifice their gender identity in order to live an ascetic life and it is said that they get more power through this sacrifice. They don’t have sex in their life because they remove their genital through an operation thus making themselves not eligible to have sex. In reality it is said that they live as prostitutes.
Gender differences were present in our society for a long time until the middle of 19th century. Women had to struggle a lot for their normal life and equal rights. Men were dominating the society throughout. Today, the so called LGBTQ group has also joined the mainstream gender category. The discrimination and negative mindset towards genders other than male and female is not completely eliminated but in order to overcome it, the society need to bring in more equality concept based on the fact that all are human beings and everyone deserves to live respectfully in the society.