Date Posted: 11/17/2012 10:56:09 AM
Posted By: jullieflavia Membership Level: Gold Total Points: 2188
Over the years, the focus on gender Issues as an aspect of social problem of equality and opportunities has been minimal or non-existent. The reasons for this neglect among others are; a) Lack of differentiation between gender and sex.To most people, the mention of the word gender implies women. Consequently, roles and duties performed by women or girls, for example, domestic chores, rearing of children, were often associated with gender understanding. Due to confusion of gender and sex, it was thought that specific biological based functions that females played, for example bearing, suckling, and caring for children were always naturally determined along gender lines. b) Traditional beliefs. The existence of powerful traditional beliefs and assumptions has helped create gender stereo typing. Beliefs such as females cannot be heirs or rulers in society, and only males have this inherited ascribed honour to be heirs of possessions, have helped discourage women form vying to inherit these positions. Some women perceive and preach that socially high offices are not God given to women, only to men. They have helped strengthen social positions in society that males are superior to females. A good example is in elections where even though women are the majority voters, few vote for female candidates believing that women are incapable of holding high offices. c) Confusion of the intelligence of women. It had been assumed in many societies that women were less intelligent that men. This assumption was largely due to the absence of statistical evidence concerning comparative studies touching on male and female intellectual differences. This however has not been the case, for we have seen very active and intelligent women who have showed the world what it means to despise women.d) Reinforcement of differences between men and women. The presence of strong influential forces based on social class, ethnically and even religion enforcing the human differences between men and women and the roles each should play in the society has affected gender awareness. For example, in religion, there is still a strong belief that women cannot serve God as ministers, pastors or prophets, only men can. This belief continues to influence the consideration of gender issues. e) Ignorance.It is evident that ignorance has played some role in defining women in some manner or way that make people believe that they are a week gender. This of course is not true and should not be a reason to base arguments.
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