Question

this week talks quite a bit about the masculine identity for men in our society and the gender ideology and way that we view sexuality with regards to women. Both of these constructions lead to stratification based upon gender, and other more extreme ways of understanding gender, such as with rituals, with social norms being reinforced or with discrepancies in a society that can lead to inequality. address the way that we socialize and understand gender, both for men and women. Are we creating stronger societies by reinforcing gender differences?

Answer 1

For a very long time, society had defined the roles of men and women and followed them strictly. Men will work outside, provide for the family, make decisions, interact with anyone they like, protect the family and contribute less in bringing up the children. Women were supposed to bear children, bring them up, do the household works, restricted interaction with others, especially men and help the husband. Along with the societal norms religions too played a major role on confirming these gender roles.

Today, the scenario has changed as everyone has their rights. Although this individualistic view point has landed enough freedom for women in terms of education, property, jobs etc. women are still discriminated in terms of difference in the pay system, sexual harassment etc. The media, movies and ads all try to project women as sex toys and soft thus discriminating them from certain jobs. We are not creating stronger societies by reinforcing gender differences because where there is difference, there will be discriminations, prejudices and stereotyping.