Gender Issues - Case Study Example

Gender Issues Gender issues at the individual/personal level Gender issues at the personal level usually arise from the general influence to which individuals are exposed. An individual may view his/her partner as the weaker or stronger sex based on the impact of societal influence on that person. The consideration of the other sex to be weak usually goes a long way to influence the relationship between the two persons. Issues ascribed to the superiority of a given gender shape the kind of roles and responsibilities that an individual takes in the relationship. Females usually perform tasks in connection to cleaning and food preparation, while males perform tasks that they consider masculine like fixing broken equipment or items and trimming gardens. This kind of segregation and the assignment of duties in relation to gender, may lead to the overburdening of one gender with responsibilities. For example, the female tasks of cleaning and food preparation are routine daily tasks, while male tasks of fixing broken things are occasional tasks. In personal relationships, gender-based violence is an issue worthy of keen consideration. In most cases, gender-based violence is done against women although men are also victims. There are several forms of gender-based violence; sexual violence (like marital rape), domestic violence, forced prostitution, sex trafficking, acid attacks, involuntary sterilization, and forced abortions. The efforts to reducing violence against women are essential to achieving gender equality. Gender also shapes up the decision-making authority in a relationship. In many areas of the world and in most relationships, men have the authority to determine the family size and sexual contact. There is need for women to have the control and right over their body when it comes to issues on reproductive health and family planning. This right enables them to make good reproductive health decisions thereby minimizing maternal mortalities, and empowers them to avoid sexually transmitted illnesses. 2. Gender issues in family Parents treat their children in such a way that clearly shows disparities based on gender. In most parts of the world, the boy child is considered the heir of the family wealth and, therefore, a key member of the family as compared to the girl child. The parents may also provide more resources and investment to one gender, while denying or giving few opportunities to the other gender. This differential treatment brings about suppression of one gender in favor of the other. Some parents offer their female children for marriage at an early age, thus denying them education and a better life. Siblings develop gender-based attitudes from the way their parents and society handles males and females. The siblings treat each other with this attitude in mind, and in conformance with what appears to be the norm. The male siblings tend to depend more on the female siblings to carry out all the household chores while they sit around. The male siblings tend to control the kind of relationships their female counterparts enter into, denying the females the right to choose a spouse or lover. The male siblings tend to have more control in decision-making on family issues as compared to their female counterparts. The extended family shapes gender issues relating to marriage and gender roles. The extended family decides on the dowry payments and the age of marriage. In some areas, the extended families may insist on marrying off young girls in order to bring wealth to the family. These families may set up roles of the males and females that are usually in favor of the males. In solving marital issues, the extended families may align themselves to the man’s side of the story, thereby leaving the woman to suffer punishment for the marital problems. 3. School Classmates handle gender issues as the society and school culture dictate. Bullying among the boy classmates is usually rampant. The boy child, in an effort to prove masculinity, may be subjected to hardship conditions and class fights in which he is expected to win. This leaves the male child in a life of constant struggle to prove superiority over the female child in the class. The female classmates on the other hand, may feel as having little control. This may leave the female classmates in a sense of giving up on the competition against the males who always want to dominate. The way the teachers assign duties and responsibilities in class may have gender implications. The students are usually keen on the nature of duties that are assigned to them based on gender. Based on these roles assigned, students can derive gender-biased conclusions. Participation in class based on gender is also a key area under the teacher’s influence. The teacher has the authority to allow all the students to participate in class activities and learning without gender disparity. This will leave the students feeling a sense of equality of treatment and ultimately gender equality. The role of the teacher in influencing attitudes on gender issues is very important. Since students are exposed to societal influence on gender, there is need to place emphasis on the powerful position of the teacher in dealing with gender stereotypes in a bid to enhance positive attitudes. Peers influence each other in their behavior towards conformance with or rejection of gender norms. They may be an influence both positively and negatively. Influence from peers to enhance gender equality needs strong capitalization, while influence to oppress a given gender needs strong resistance. 4. Work Gender issues are common in the work place, mainly surrounding the roles of women on the job and their compensation. Colleague workers can have a positive or a negative influence on women workers by either frustrating their efforts or by recognizing their good performance. The peer influence that also comes from colleagues can enhance gender equality in the organization or bring about gender inequality. Cases of gender-based violence, especially sexual harassment, in the workplace are common. Superiors use the career aspirations of some males and females in the organization, as a bait to solicit for sexual favors. In such scenarios, the gender that is facing sexual harassment is usually in slavery to the superior in order to secure the job. Superiors tend to pick on men for tough jobs that are highly rewarding. This is a form of gender inequality since women also may have the requisite skills to perform the jobs. Superiors may also come up with working conditions or rules that may discriminate upon a given gender. The subordinates may work inappropriately to frustrate their superior of a given gender. Men have been known to feel uncomfortable working under women. The men may devise means to frustrate the efforts of the woman, and even taint her image in order for them to get that position. Lack of respect and resistance are some of the ways in which men will tend to distract their female superior. The female subordinates may also frustrate male superiors by failing to meet deadlines and expect the male superiors to be gentle men and forgive them. This leaves the work compromised and the superiors at risk of dismissal due to the gender issues surrounding work performance. 5. Social The perceptions of friends on gender equality have an influence in the attitudes of the individuals. Friends are more of like peers and they have a strong influence in terms of shaping relationships and interactions. They also provide solace to persons who have been victims of gender inequalities, thereby helping them to find ways to maneuver in such situations. On the other hand, friends may also mock one for trying to get out of the rigid society of gender inequalities. They may feel uncomfortable with the desire of one of their own to try to be unique, and therefore they will find any means to make them conform to the societal requirements. Neighbors’ role as a watchdog for inequalities can be of great use in enhancing gender equality. Neighbors understand and have first-hand information of any inequalities happening in their neighborhoods. Reporting of cases of sexual harassment, domestic violence, and other forms of gender-based violence is crucial in bringing change to the society. When people show concern for the well-being of their neighbors, inequality issues will be addressed largely. Community issues in gender can be legal and cultural. Laws on marriage and divorce are discriminate in nature in most communities. In Yemen, marriage laws require a woman to obey her husband and never to leave him without his permission (International, 2009). For Iraq, a man has the right to punish his wife. Violence against women was strengthened further when a United Arab emirates’ court in 2010 ruled that it was right for a man to punish his wife though without leaving physical marks. These rigid laws are a hindrance to achievement of gender equality. Some cultural traditions of female genital mutilation and forced early marriages are denying women better lives since they have to forego education. Rigid traditions on the role of women in the society keep on haunting efforts for equality. 6. Media The media in a way appears to be enhancing both negative and positive influence on gender equality. Television shows have come out strongly in portraying women as influential people who can make great achievements. This gives people a positive perception of equality in abilities. Movies also have shown the equality in gender by starring female actors and portraying them as very powerful. However, some movies portray women as people who are easy to exploit and to use, propagating the message of gender disparity. This negative influence enhances the rooted belief in gender inequality in some people. Commercials portray women in varied ways, but mainly in a positive way. The beauty of the featured models gives everyone a reason to appreciate women. Music promotes equality through activist songs that encourage equality among all people. Some music genres though, use women in a demeaning manner especially in their video clips. These negative music video clips portray women as whores and visionless, enhancing the message of inequality. Painting and art on the other hand, creates awareness in enhancing equality. Poems and paintings advocating for equality, attract large audiences and thereby effecting the message delivery and attitude change. Summary Gender is all about the biological differences between males and females. The biological difference relates to only the reproductive organs. Gender equality in terms of opportunities and roles is paramount in order to achieve optimum humanity. Both women and men are equally talented and therefore it is paramount that all of them be given a chance to live a good life and achieve their purpose and goals. There needs to be legislative changes in order to favor gender equality. The media needs to take advantage of its crucial position of covering large audiences in influencing attitude change towards equality in the society. Reference International, A. (2009). YEMEN’S DARK SIDE: DISCRIMINATION AND VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS (1st ed.). Amnesty International. Retrieved from http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrc/docs/ngos/Yemen%27s%20darkside-discrimination_Yemen_HRC101.pdf Read More