Gender Issues in Asian Traditions - Case Study Example

Gender Issues in Asian Traditions Question The article “Natural Men and Women” discusses the idea of a binary construction of sex and gender. Theauthors critique the notion of “the natural”, and propose different ways of understanding gender and sexuality. The authors uses such methods as categorization and gendered society issues to explain the notion of “natural men”. Recent years, gender approach becomes a part of a broader human development approach based on equal opportunities and gender equality principles. Historically, women were seen as a secondary class citizens identified with childbearing and housekeeping activities. Today, gender equality becomes an issue of the day affected the economic sphere and trade relations. Traditionally, women occupy a secondary role determined by social and cultural traditions in society. Thus, the status of women has been changed towards greater involvement of women in public and political affairs. The current studies of the role of women in Islam have resulted in a unified impression of the power of women leaders. The authors explain that people are categorized as female and male individuals. “the masculinity is a set of psychological and behavioral traits which are considered particularly appropriate for bodies classified as male” (Alsop et al 14). “Pure” dominance of men adds aggression and cruelty to cultural dimensions and values. Both cultures under analysis represent masculine societies. Gender roles in Jamaican and Guatemalan cultures shape not only how people identify themselves and view the world but also how others identify and relate to them and how they are positioned within social structures. Consider that women are traditionally associated with childbearing, child rearing, emotional caretaking, and responsibility for the physical maintenance of the household. In contrast, men are associated with the activities of wage labor, physical prowess, intellectual achievements, and political agency. The authors use such theories as selfish genes and brain functions in men and women to explain sexual and fender differences. The authors conclude that: “men and women … are geared to our purposes” (Alsop et al 27). The masculinity-femininity dimension is likely to manifest itself in the relative importance of achievement and possessions (masculine values) compared with a spirit of helpfulness and social support (feminine values). Overall, an aggressive, achievement-oriented people are matched to the culture. The particulars of gender are always shaped by context and are reflected in culture. However, these variations still rest on concepts of gender differences and do not necessarily disrupt gender as a relation of inequality.The whole picture related to mens activities, providing "reasons" for men to fight is not complete and even though women and the roles they are expected to play are obscured when we focus only on men. Through a gender -sensitive lens, researchers see how constructions of masculinity (agency, control, aggression) are not independent of, but rely upon, contrasting constructions of femininity (dependence, vulnerability, passivity). In a sense, the dominant presence of men depends on the denial and absence of women. Because of this interdependence, a gender analysis of womens lives and experiences does not simply "add something" about women but transforms what we know about men and the activities they undertake. Hence, researchers study gender to enhance understanding of the conventional categorization including a division between sexes. The authors conclude that “gender constructs sex” (29). Culturally specific socialization what characteristics are associated with masculinity and femininity and how to assume the identities of men and women. In this sense, gender refers to characteristics linked to a particular sex by ones culture. “In searching for explanation of sex differences biology itself becomes part of the contested zone” (Alsop et al 31). The specific meanings of and values given to masculinity and femininity vary dramatically over time and across cultures. Question 2 In chapter, “The Social Construction of Gender” Alsop et al (2002) develop a unique understanding of gender relations in society. Many problems associated with the relationships between people stem from variations in norms and values. In this way, predetermined gender roles are that which causes one group of people to act collectively in a way that is different from another group of people. Alsop et al (2002) apply Marxists ideas to gender roles and construct gender relations through lens of material8ism. “Materialist theories stress the structural features of the social world which ensure that men and women are fitted into distinct roles” (Alsop et al 65). These gender variables shape the values and hence the behavior of people and enable us to explain differences in the way different countries conduct their affairs. The examples show that specific gender roles determine the way of living and cultural norms of several generations of people and strong enough to be changed in a short period of time. To conclude, these examples show that a culture is a highly complex subject where gender influences shape behavior in a particular social setting and determine individual orientations. Alsop et al (2002) apply the Marxist approach of class to gender construction and find that gender roles have not undergone metamorphoses. They have followed the economic, social, and political trends of the history. While aspects of male and female roles have changed, many traditional attitudes concerning gender codes of conduct remain. What these cultures are to strive for is a sharing of masculine and feminine roles, experiences, and expectations. These cultures are moving toward a society, albeit slowly, in which activities are not rigidly designated as appropriate only for men. The growing power of women may be considered as representative of the remarkable forward movement of women. Following Alsop et al (2002): “gender referred to social characteristics” (66). The currents of changes—economic and technological, political and cultural--are transforming the life. Women are vitally affected by the rapidly changing environment and are themselves playing a creative part along many lines in life. For feminists, gender differences are seen as a gender neutral activity permitting both men and women to participate in business practices and trade negotiations. Insofar as it affects women, a definition of gender discrimination is necessary since there will be many references in this book to discrimination, segregation, and differentiation. Gender approach is a part of human development process because women are involved in social life and economic activities on the global scale. “Men and women are socially constructed by the operation of materials and social structures” (74). The authors compare gender relations with social class straggle and state that social class is one of the most important markers of social identity and relations between people in society. The source of all profit lies in human labor, and that if the capitalist is to earn a profit it must come from the unequal distribution of returns on production. Social class plays a crucial role in human relations as it determines opportunities and life changes for a person or absence of them. In “The Social Construction of Gender”, gender roles are structured in accordance with social class relations and have a symbolic meaning reflecting prejudices against low classes. On the other hand, gender is associated with differences and development of the society and community life. It is argued that the foregoing issues of gender and sex interact with each other, in that the emphasis on achievement as the basis for social assortment will be strongest within the expanding social life. Works Cited Alsop, R., Fitzsimmons, A., Lennon, K. (2002) (eds). Theorizing Gender. Oxford UK: Polity Press. Read More