Does Gender have an Influence on the Lives of People in Irish Society - Essay Example

Gender and Sexual Studies Gender and Sexual Studies Introduction Most people use the term gender and sex interchangeably though they are quite distinct in their meaning. Generally, sex has always been biologically defined whereas gender is culturally oriented. Various scholars argue that sex is the physiological and biological characteristics of a person, while gender is defined as the roles, behaviours, and expectations in the society. One of the characteristics of sex includes the existence of testicles in men and ovaries in women. In contrast, in regard to gender, women tended to work more in the house as compared to men. One major assumption is that gender has always affected people’s lives because it focuses on prohibiting some behaviours and prescribing to others (World Health Organisation, 2014). It is imperative to note down the major changes in regard to the Irish society in regard to the issue of gender and sex. Traditionally, the Irish people were characterised by conservatism in morality, religion, politics, and their views on marriage, family, and work. Therefore, both men and women focused on fulfilling their roles in the society whereby women were seen to be the weaker vessel. However, today, despite men’s obstinate role playing on women, the traditional Irish masculinity is slowly diminishing (Rogers, 1998, pp. 117-119; Redmond, 2000). Therefore, this discourse gives limelight to the issue of gender in the Irish society in both the traditional and the modern era. Moreover, it focuses on ways in which sociologists have analysed the concept of gender and how it affects people. It is without doubt from the research that gender has little effect on Irish people today. Discussion According to Wyatt (2009, pp. 229-231), the traditional Irish society was structured on a conceptual framework which placed overt expressions of male prowess to be of paramount significance. Early brand building and advertising as well as services and products that had less importance were aimed at women, whereby domestic advertisements portrayed them as naïve. This means that masculinity was associated with strength, power, as well as freedom. On the other hand, femininity was intimately bound with immense conceptions of servility, compliance, and powerlessness. In that case, the labels of femininity and masculinity acted as objects that were deeply ingrained and that held immense significance in the society. Similarly, Graham (2001, pp. 103-105) and Ledin et al (2007, pp. 982-987), agree that gender was a term that was used to oppress Irish women whereby they faced invasive structural inequalities. During the medieval times, the Irish government showed less commitment to the issue of gender equality. In that case, some of the issues that immensely influenced the traditional Irish social and political instructions are the religious ideals. For instance, various authors argue that Catholic ideals promoted conservative beliefs as well as family structures that were patriarchal. In the year 1986, roughly 95% of the Ireland population was identified as Roman Catholics. In that case, because of homogeneity of beliefs, the Irish laws also reflected the beliefs that had been set by the Catholic Church. It is to be understood that the Catholic Church did restrict issues such as family planning; hence, participation of the Irish women in the labour force was slow. Moreover, in regard to work, men spent considerable time on paid work whereas women would care for their families and do household chores (Tulane University, 2006; McGinnity & Russell, n.d, pp. 10-11). Today, there have been dramatic changes in regard to gender and how men and women are perceived in the Irish society. Although there are still cases of inequalities that still exist in regard to pay, access to employment, and professional prospects, gender biases have declined dramatically. Research reveals that the Irish society changed tremendously after joining the European Union. Consequently, Ireland is the fourth richest country globally and has been quoted as having low levels of unemployment, declined poverty, and a multi-ethnic, all-encompassing, and vibrant population. In addition, the increased levels of female participation in the labour force have enhanced economic growth. Nevertheless, women still experience a double burden of balancing work and family life (Nicholls, 2006, pp. 513-515). Before, women’s position in the society was guided by restrictive policies and catholic ideologies. They were taken to be homemakers with no business holding professional jobs. However, with the 1990s came extensive changes in policy and legislative frameworks that were focused on enhancing gender equality. The European Union, internal domestic pressures, and the Second Commission on the Status of Women played a major role in ensuring equality. By the year 2000, various recommendations had been implemented, including the introduction of equality in employment, divorce, equal legislation in regard to status, modifications in family law, laws against sexual and domestic violence and harassment. Moreover, there was introduction of a minimum wage, maternity leave, unpaid parental leave and state funding for women among others. Therefore, there has been a shift towards a less conformist societal milieu and political culture though in some cases women still experience a pay gap. For example, in 2006, it was noted that women were paid 14% less than their male counterparts and only 14% of women held political positions (Roth, 2013, pp. 84-87;). Despite the few challenges that women still face, a survey on the legislation that deals with family, employment, and women reveals the changing dynamics in the Irish society. The Women’s lobby group played a chief task in the transformation of political as well as social life. In 1971, the demands on women’s movement manifesto included equality on matters of law, equal pay, and justice for women, use of contraceptives, education, and one house for each family. By 1990s, there were shifts from formal equality of men and women to issues of justice, participation, impartiality, and opportunity (Catholic Ireland, 2014). In addition, between the year 1993 and 2004, women between the ages of 15 and 64 years heightened in the workplace from 38% to 56%. Changes in the rates of employment were more in women than men though the proportion also increased from 64% to 76% among men in the year 2004. This means that the gender gap in regard to employment has narrowed significantly from 1990s (McGinnity & Russell, n.d, pp. 11-13). Moreover, the earlier conservatism in the Irish society and the effects of the religious ideals had contributed largely to lack of sound movements that were progressive. However, times have changed and women have become more empowered (Willis, 2001, pp. 33-35). Sociologists claim that the issue of gender has always been associated with women because they were always oppressed and looked down upon. However, with various movements, the boy-child has been ignored and the society is clear about what it wants for the girls but less clear on what it wants for the boys. In an endeavour to grasp the connotation of gender, sociologists claim that the notions of what it is to be masculine or feminine is often socially constructed. According to Irish sociologists such as Tovey and Share (2003, pp. 6-7), the affirmative progress and changes among Irish women has been contradicted by the fact that for most women little has changed. Social class, economics, and race play an immense role in determining people’s role in the community. Moreover, though there has been acknowledgement of the affirmative changes that have been taking place among Irish women, there are concerns that most men are continuously been disadvantaged in the Irish society. Devlin (2014) asserts that relationships in Ireland have changed due to transformations in the cultural norms. Most sociologists argue that the issue of gender affects both male and female. For instance, most women are participating in the workforce and holding high positions; hence family dynamics have changed and affected couples. This is because it is now difficult to decide who goes to work and who remains at home to cater for the children. Moreover, although societal expectations in regard to women have changed significantly, this is not the case with males’ perceived roles. Therefore, women have had to juggle their professions at the same time as taking care for their families. The role of gender today has affected both men and women since they are expected to work harder and for longer hours. On the same note, considering that most movements focus only on the rights of women, it is possible for men to face challenges in the workplace and in their marital life. Conclusion Research has clearly revealed that gender has little impact on the Irish people today. This is because there have been dramatic changes from an era when women were considered powerless and men were dominant to a period where women are increasing getting into the labour force and men have to contend with them in the professional arena. Such changes were brought about by the European union, internal pressures, and various women oriented movements that advocated for equality. Various sociologists claim that with the advancements and prospects among Irish women, men have been neglected; hence, face numerous challenges in the workplace since there are few movements that fight for their rights. In that case, gender equality can only be achieved if both men and women are fairly represented. References Catholic Ireland. (2014). Religions and Gender. Retrieved from < http://www.catholicireland.net/religion-and-gender/> Devlin, A. (2014). Changing Role of Irish Women over Past 50 years Reflected in Relationships. Retrieved from < http://www.thejournal.ie/changing-role-of-irish-women-over-past-50-years-reflected-in-relationships-382725-Mar2012/> Graham, C. (2001). Deconstructing Ireland: Identity, Theory, Culture. United Kingdom: Edinburgh University Press. Ledin, A., Bornmann, L., Gannon, F & Wallon, G. (2007). A Persistent Problem: Traditional Gender Role Hold Back Female Scientists. EMBO Reports, 8(11):982-987. McGinnity, F & Russell, H. (n.d). Gender Inequalities in Time Use. Retrieved from < http://equality.ie/Files/Gender-Inequalities-in-Time-Use.pdf> Nicholls, K. (2006). Why Social Partnership Matters: Irish Policies for Work-Life Balance. West European Politics, 29(3): 513-539. Redmond, A. (2000). That was then, this is now. Central Statistics Office. Retrieved from < http://www.cso.ie/en/media/csoie/releasespublications/documents/otherreleases/thatwasthenthisisnow.pdf> Rogers, L. (1998). Feminine Nation: Performance, Gender, and Resistance in the Works of John McGahern and Neil Jordan. Maryland: University Press of America. Tulane University. (2006). Catholicism and Traditional Values of Ireland. Retrieved from < http://www.tulane.edu/~rouxbee/soci626/ireland/_tstjohn/traditionandvalues.htm> Roth, S. (2013). Gender Politics in the Expanding European Union: Mobilization, Inclusion, Exclusion. United Kingdom: Berghahn Books. Tovey, H & Share, P. (2003). A Sociology of Ireland. Dublin: Gill & Macmillan Ltd. Willis, C. (2001). Women, Domesticity and the Family: Recent Feminist Work in Irish Cultural Studies. Cultural Studies, 15(1):33-57. World Health Organisation. (2014). What do we mean by “Sex” and “Gender”? Retrieved from < http://www.who.int/gender/whatisgender/en/ > Wyatt, D. (2009). Slaves and Warriors in Medieval Britain and Ireland: 800-1200. Netherlands: Brill. Read More