Gender Perspectives - Term Paper Example

Gender & Sexual Studies: Gender Perspectives Gender Perspectives The distinction between males and females is well documented by the nature from the beginning of human evolution itself. Among all the living species, males are stronger or macular than the females. Male body and female body have some difference at least in appearance or shape. Moreover, generally, males exhibit more mental power than the females. Because of this physical and psychological differences between males and females, gender roles or duties were perceived differently in the Past. Most of the females limit their activities within the boundaries of their home in the past. On the other hand, men went outside for better prospects and opportunities. In other words, men got more exposure whereas women got less exposure in the past because of the different perceptions about the gender. Gender perspectives have been changed a lot today. Neither men, nor the women are satisfied by their present roles and they are trying to incorporate more dimensions to their gender roles today. Men are just beginning to realize that the traditional definition of masculinity leaves them unfulfilled and dissatisfied. While women have left the home from which they were imprisoned by the ideology of separate spheres and now seek to balance work and family lives, men continue to search for a way back into the family from which they were exiled by the same ideology (Kimmel, 2011, p.267) The advancements in science and technology brought many changes in human life and it also affected some of the traditional beliefs, customs and life philosophies. As the knowledge of the human increases, some of the established traditions of human life are also changing along with it. Current women are not ready to limit their lives within the boundaries of home alone. Today, they are demanding equality with males, not only in personal or professional life, but also in all the aspects of human life. The concepts about human sexuality were also changed a lot in the present century. Females no longer ready to act as an instrument or slave in the bedrooms, under the strict control of men. Earlier, the major duty of the females was to satisfy the males in sexual activities even if they may not derive any pleasure out of it. However, current females are not ready to obey such traditions and they are currently not ready to engage in one sided sexual activities which give happiness only to the males. In short, gender perspectives in the past, present and in future need not be the same. This paper analyses various dimensions of current gender perspectives focusing mainly on Asia, especially China. Gender roles Genetically, males and females have some differences which cannot be neglected when we decide about assuming certain duties to men and women. It is impossible for men to conceive whereas it is impossible for a woman to give birth to a child without seeking help from a male. In other words, mutual cooperation among men and women is a necessity enforced by the nature for sustaining life on earth. Risk taking attitudes are more among males because of their superior muscle power whereas females may possesses more soft skills than males. It is difficult for men to look after their children as their wives do. Traditionally or historically, males have the responsibility of finding the livelihood whereas the females have the responsibility of the development of children and home management. However, such concepts have changed a lot at present and all these responsibilities are shared equally by the male and female community at present. Professional life is no more limited to males and child management is no more limited to females. The gender perspective looks at the impact of gender on peoples opportunities, social roles and interactions. Successful implementation of the policy, program and project goals of international and national organizations is directly affected by the impact of gender and, in turn, influences the process of social development. Gender is an integral component of every aspect of the economic, social, daily and private lives of individuals and societies, and of the different roles ascribed by society to men and women (Chapter ii. The gender perspective, n. d) It is difficult for a society to function effectively if it is dominated either by males or females. When God decided to create life on earth, he decided to create it in the form of men and women because of his awareness that both males and females are essential for sustaining healthy or effective human life on earth. Life becomes mechanical if this world consist only men or women. Diversity is necessary in human life and because of that awareness, God created human as men and women and distributed different duties to them. At the same time it should be noted that God has created both males and females with equal status; however, the dominant male community used their muscle power effectively to suppress the rights of the female community in the past. However, men realized at present that a society cannot advance effectively if they keep women community at a distance from social and professional activities. According to Knudson-Martin and Mahoney (2009), “The convergence between what a women and men do and wants is a force of equality” (Knudson-Martin and Mahoney, 2009, p.5). In other words letting women do what they like is necessary for creating equality among men and women in a society. Men should never block women from doing something in order to create a balanced society in which both males and females enjoy equal power. Gender Perspectives in the past and present Asian society is traditionally male dominated. Even though in western societies, females are enjoying more freedom at present, same thing cannot be said about Asia in general and China in particular. Even though, socialism is the major objective of Chinese communist government, such revolutionary principles are not visible in Chinese social life. Male-female discrimination is evident in almost the entire human life segments in China. The suicide rates of women in China are more compared to other countries because of severe oppression women are facing from the male community. Michael Lev in his article Rural women in China take own lives at unusual rate describes the frustrations of Chinese women. "I just thought that life was meaningless," said Li Gui Fen, who attempted suicide at age 38 by drinking pesticide after an argument with her husband (Lev, 2002). Chinese men are considering women as machines rather than human. If men are doing the hardest jobs in other parts of the world, in China the case is different. Chinese men usually opt for easier jobs and they ask their female counterparts to do the harder ones. Even in the agricultural field, Chinese women forced to work hard. They are not getting any recognition in their home or in the society and many of them lost confidence in their lives. Couple relationships are now more personal and more fragile. Individuals pick and choose the kind of relationships they want. Most women are no longer willing to stay in unequal relationships and most men no longer want a weaker subservient partner (Knudson-Martin and Mahoney, 2009, p.5) Women were the victims of consumerism in the past. They were treated as a commodity rather than a human which forced many of the women in the past to put an end to their lives. For example, even now, Chinese women have deprived the opportunity to have a decent career or job. Suicide rates and divorce rates among Chinese women community are increasing day by day as a result of the severe oppression facing by them in the society. Divorce rate is much higher in Chinese society compared to that of other countries. “In Beijing, for example, one study found that the divorce rate last year was 50 percent. Even so, divorce is rising in rural migrant families where a husband working away from home may only see his wife once a year.”(Yardley, 2005) Even the Chinese women, who engaged in love marriage, are breaking their relationship because of their displeasure over life after marriage. They are considered as a commodity for adultery by the males. “According to researchers led by Canadian psychiatrist Michael Phillips of Beijings Hui Long Guan Psychiatric Hospital, an average of 175 women age 15 to 34 kills themselves every day in the Chinese countryside, accounting for nearly a third of all deaths for that group (Lev, 2002) If more people become aware of the practices and the ideology of separate sphere, and want to change them, then they can. If they tend to their own relationships first and then work outward to advocate additional social and economic changes, then gender will become less automatically with specific family activities. Family roles will not be totally transformed, even if most people begin to question the rigid activities based on gender (Coltrane, 1998, p.177) It is difficult to assume certain duties to a particular community in the present society. We are trying to march towards socialism which is offering equality to all, in every respect of human life. Even though, the paths are different, both communism and democracy declared the major objective, as the achievement of socialism. Even if the roles of the males and females undergo changes, the nature of responsibilities remains the same in the past, present and in future. In other words, it is possible for men and women to exchange some of their primary duties. For example, current males are helping their wives in the kitchen. Same way current females are helping their husbands in looking after their family, by working in the professional circle. In short, professional life is no more the empire of men alone and kitchen is no more the kingdom of females alone. Religion has a major role in determining the roles of men and women in the society. For example, in Hindu culture, women are respected more than men whereas in Muslim culture men have the upper hand. At the same time in Christian culture, both men and women are enjoying almost equal status. The influence of religion in determining gender roles can be well understood if we analyze what happened to a poor Muslim girl in Afghanistan recently. Baker (2010) has written in Time magazine; the story of Beebe Ayesha, wife of a cruel Afghan husband, who lost her nose and ear for trying to escape from her husband’s house, The Taliban pounded on the door just before midnight, demanding that Aisha, 18, be punished for running away from her husbands house. They dragged her to a mountain clearing near her village in the southern Afghan province of Uruzgan, ignoring her protests that her in-laws had been abusive, that she had no choice but to escape. Her husband pulled out a knife. First he sliced off her ears. Then he started on her nose. Aisha passed out from the pain but awoke soon after, choking on her own blood. The men had left her on the mountainside to die (Baker, 2010). Beebe Ayesha got her nose and ear back, thanks to the efforts of plastic surgeons in America; however the above story remains as a question mark in front of the society as far as oppression facing by women in some particular community. Conclusions Gender roles or perspectives changed everywhere except in some fundamental societies like China, Afghanistan etc. Women came out from severe oppressions of men and currently enjoying equal status with men in most parts of the world. At present, both men and women are sharing responsibilities equally rather than assigning a particular duty to a particular community. References 1. Baker. A. (2010). Afghan Women and the Return of the Taliban. TIME. Thursday, July 29, 2010. Retrieved from http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2007238,00.html 2. Chapter ii. The gender perspective (n. d). Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/003/X2919E/x2919e04.htm 3. Coltrane S. (1998). Gender and families Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield, 1998 4. Kimmel, K. (2000). The gendered society. Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (January 20, 2000) 5. Knudson-Martin, C., and Mahoney, A. (2009). Couples, gender and power: creating change in intimate relationships. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company, LLC.  6. Lev M (2002) Rural women in China take own lives at unusual rate. Retrieved from http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2002-07-05/news/0207050226_1_rural-women-suicide-china 7. Yardley J. (2005), Women in China Embrace Divorce as Stigma Eases, The New York Times October 4, 2005 Read More