Gender and Health - Essay Example

Running Head: Gender & Health Gender & Health [Institute’s Gender & Health Introduction According to its biological definition, gender refers to the structural anatomy of an individual related to its reproduction capability and role. However, in the field of sociology, sociologists are interested in studying gender in terms of “gender roles” that explains that why males and females behave differently. In addition, for centuries humans have regarded “health as the biggest wealth” (Bird, pp. 5-21, 2008). That is why there has been a lot of research on the same and people. However, for the past few decades, experts have noticed disparities between the health variables and elements of males and females. In fact, those have been there since ages but health care experts are now a days devoting a lot of ink to this topic since they believe that this is one issue that is worth discussing specially in the light of sociologist theories. This paper focuses on the health related differences between males and females and their past and potential impacts on the society. Discussion Without any doubts, the debate regarding the differences between the health of males and females has been there, since ages. In fact, most of the stereotypes and myths related to this topic are also true. Research and studies suggest than women are in majority on this planet than men (Bird, pp. 5-21, 2008). However, they are more likely to face healthcare problems, visit doctors, and increase the family’s expenditure on health throughout their life. This is not only because of the reproductive nature of females but also due to their non-risky nature. Despite the fact, that males have shown less percentages in terms of visiting doctors and spending money on health they still have lesser life expectancy than females and females tend to survive longer with all their health problems (Muller, pp. 125-134, 1992). This remains a myth that why does it happen so. However, many experts have tried to answer this myth. Firstly, it is because the tough and masculine nature of men that they avoid going to doctors as much as females thus creating problems for themselves in the long run (Loue, pp. 41-57, 2006). Secondly, in many eastern and western families men usually assume the responsibility of the head of family when he reaches the age of 25+ and afterwards he is suppose to take care of his family during all financial hardships and difficulties that are coming afterwards until and unless his successor takes on the responsibility (Sargent & Brettell, pp. 3-12, 1996). This is marked by a period of extreme stress, which affects his health. However, at the same time women of the family reach the age where they have to stay at home most of times and have survived the shock of pregnancy and all related problems. Moreover, very common deaths causes in males are due to extreme alcohol consumption, driving accidents, smoking, lung cancer, risky and hazardous jobs, drug abuse, and circulatory diseases like heart attacks and strokes. Since in all societies, men dominate the drinking and drug abuse related statistics, they are more likely to be at risk. In addition, it is also due to their “masculine” qualities like aggressiveness, individuality, and hiding their emotions that lead to poorer health in males (Muller, pp. 125-134, 1992). In many eastern societies, women are at a larger risk of death due to their fertility related and reproductive system related diseases (Bird, pp. 5-21, 2008). These include deaths while childbirths, pregnancy related deaths, deaths due to breast cancer, and others. Although all these diseases are treatable but many of the women are not aware about these problems even when they are facing it. Moreover, even if they are aware about it, they face a great deal of discouragement from their family and society for its treatment. This happens because those societies like to maintain a strict veil between males and females and since most of the doctors are men, they prefer their women to die rather than being treated from male doctors. In other words, societies in that part of the world view their women as a symbol of purity and proud for them. For them, their women are pure only until they remain under the borders of their homes and avoid any contact with other males (Loue, pp. 41-57, 2006). Since more women stay at home, avoid stress related, and out door activities, they are more likely to suffer with obesity problems. In fact, men have never been able to touch the benchmarks of number set by women for obesity statistics (Loue, pp. 41-57, 2006). Moreover, females are more likely to suffer from problems like malnutrition, sexual abuse, domestic violence and emotional distress, hypertension and vision problems. Unfortunately, the effect of inequity between genders in terms of health is no constructive phenomenon. This leads to unhealthy society, which would eventually witness a rebellion movement. Since women have suffered with this inequity the most, the human society has witnessed many feminist movements. Gender equity is important for the smooth functioning of the society since with gender inequity the unhealthy ones become a liability for the society, which no society would like to have in such a competitive environment as of today. Health disparities would certainly decrease the economic potential output from one gender and would lead to problems in the end. Empowered and healthy women, obviously, would be in a better condition to contribute towards family’s achievement and development (Sargent & Brettell, pp. 3-12, 1996). This is also because unhealthy women are most likely to be illiterate as well. Gender equity becomes even more important in eastern societies where families have a nuclear structure with well-defined and irreversible gender responsibilities (Muller, pp. 125-134, 1992). The functionalist approach of sociology explains this kind of society very well. This importance is because mothers serve as the first and at many occasions as the only teachers for their children. They spend most of the times taking care of the operational issues since the family head is usually working outside. More empowered, healthy, and fit women perform their functions well and hold the family stronger (Sargent & Brettell, pp. 3-12, 1996). Moreover, efforts towards ensuring health equity would give women a chance to establish a trust in the system, which would eventually lead to higher productivity in all forms from their sides. Furthermore, if these gender inequalities in health and in other expressions continue to exist then very surely this would lead to a rebellion moment sometime in the future. All the efforts that the societal moderators are doing for suppressing these concerns are merely their effort to put a lid on a volcano, which would explode some day in some way or the other and would bring sufficient destruction. References Bird, Chloe E., & Rieker, Patricia Perri. (2008). Gender and Health: The Effects of Constrained Choices and Social Policies. Cambridge University Press. Loue, Sana. (2006). Assessing Race, Ethnicity and Gender in Health. Springer. Muller, Charlotte F. (1992). Health Care and Gender. Russell Sage Foundation. Sargent, Carolyn Fishel, & Brettell, Caroline. (1996). Gender and Health: an International Perspective. Prentice Hall. Read More