Page 137 - Journeys Through Society-7

Gender– A Social Issue our life, from how we see and value ourselves to how
we learn to communicate and interact with one
We all know that biologically all human beings fall into
another. It affects how we express and initiate our
two categories — male and female. The term gender
relationships and how we treat members of the
refers to social and cultural attributes, roles and
opposite gender.
responsibilities associated with a male and a female.
Gender is culturally determined and is a social concept Role of Gender in the Family
that changes over a period of time from one culture to
Children get their first lessons in social life from their
another culture.
family members. Usually, it is expected that children
Society makes clear distinctions between boys and
will play the role of parents in future. So, a girl is
girls from a very early age. For example, we tend to
usually encouraged to behave like her mother and a
buy blue clothes and toys for boys and pink for girls.
boy is encouraged to behave like his father.
Another common example is to give boys toys like
According to tradition, girls are expected to grow up
cars, balls, blocks, etc., while girls are given dolls,
and marry, have children, do the household chores
kitchen sets, doctor kits, etc. These are typical
and take care of the family. Hence, girls are brought up
examples of gender stereotypes .
to be kind and gentle. And, they are usually
encouraged to develop skills such as cooking and
sewing. Boys are expected to work outside home and
earn money to support the family. Hence, boys are
encouraged to do well in sports and studies so that
they become strong and intelligent. However, these
gender roles are not strictly followed. There are many
families in which girls are encouraged to pursue
studies and work outside home.
In many societies, boys are expected to be football
players and girls are expected to be cheerleaders.
Girls like pink and boys like blue—is an example In many societies, boys are believed to be better
of a common gender stereotype. suited as pilots and girls as stewardesses.

Gender is, thus, a social construct defining the socially Role of Gender in School
and culturally prescribed roles that men or boys and
In school, children gather knowledge and develop
women or girls have to follow. Boys and girls in the
various skills. They also learn many important lessons
society are assigned different roles and are expected
of social behaviour. For example, they learn how to
to behave accordingly. Gender affects every aspect of
behave with their
juniors, seniors and
teachers, they learn to
cooperate with others
and they learn to obey
rules and maintain
discipline. Most of the
rules are the same for
boys and girls, but
some rules are Girls should be encouraged
to go to school
different. School
During World War II, women performed some roles, like uniforms, for example, are usually different for boys
working in factories, which were otherwise considered
and girls depending on how boys and girls are
as male jobs.
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