Role Played by Gender Chapter Notes | Window on the Word Class 7: Solutions, Notes & Worksheets PDF Download

What is Gender?

• Definition of Gender: Gender, as commonly understood, refers to the biological characteristic of being male or female. However, it encompasses more than just one's sex, extending to the societal differences in characteristics among sexes. It denotes the societal constructs dictating the roles individuals are expected to fulfill based on their sex.
• Gender Roles: Gender roles are not fixed but rather fluid, varying across societies and evolving over time. They pertain to the societal expectations regarding the behaviors and responsibilities associated with being male or female.

Gender Stereotypes, Discrimination And Inequality

• Each society holds expectations about how boys and girls should behave.
• These expectations assign distinct roles and characteristics to them from birth.
• Gender stereotyping involves rigid, unfair, and biased ideas.

Common Gender Stereotypes:

• Girls like pink; boys prefer blue.
• Girls often enjoy indoor activities like playing with dolls or cookery sets, while boys typically prefer outdoor games such as cricket and football.
• Girls are often perceived as emotional and prone to crying, while boys are seen as strong and stoic.
• Girls are sometimes viewed as mentally, emotionally, and physically weak, while boys are considered strong and sharp.
• Traditionally, girls are expected to stay at home and handle household chores, while boys are expected to work outside the home.

Gender stereotyping can result in discrimination and inequality, impacting both social and economic spheres.

Social Aspects of Gender Inequality

Gender Inequality in Family and Community

• Many societies see women as intellectually and physically inferior to men, limiting their roles to household tasks and caregiving.
• Girls are expected to assist with household chores and childcare, preparing them for similar roles in the future.
• Boys are encouraged to be strong and dominant, engaging in outdoor activities, with preferential treatment in food distribution.

Gender Inequality in Education

• Due to traditional gender roles, families may prioritize boys' education over girls', limiting girls' access to learning opportunities.
• Female literacy rates still lag behind male rates in many countries, impacting overall development.

Gender Inequality in Public Spaces

• Historically, women were confined to their homes, but over time, more women have pursued education and careers, facing challenges like harassment and violence.
• Women stepping out into the world often encounter verbal or physical abuse, hindering their mobility and safety.

• Society often blames women for crimes instead of holding men accountable.
• Women are often blamed for dressing provocatively or being out late at night.
• Men feel safer than women in public spaces and can move freely even at night.
• A mark of societal progress is ensuring safety for women in public areas.
• Creating safe public spaces for women requires taking the issue seriously and implementing strong measures against offenders.

Economic Aspects of Gender Inequality

Gender-based discrimination and inequality not only have a social aspect, they also have an economic impact.

• In most traditional societies, women primarily engage in household work.
• This work includes activities like cleaning, cooking, childcare, shopping for groceries, laundry, fetching water, and gathering firewood.
• Despite the considerable time and effort invested in household work, it is often considered unproductive because it does not generate income.
• Consequently, this labor is frequently disregarded or undervalued.
• This lack of recognition is referred to as the invisibilization of labor.

The Value of Women's Work

• Women form a significant part of the informal workforce in India, engaging in roles like domestic work, agricultural labor, and construction labor.
• They are often paid less than men for the same work and are expected to manage household duties on top of their professional responsibilities.
• Many times, their earnings are handed over to male family members, limiting their economic independence.

Women in the Formal Sector

• With improved educational opportunities, more women are entering the formal sector, contributing significantly in sectors like research, banking, healthcare, and education.
• Despite constitutional guarantees of workplace equality, women still face disparities compared to men.
• Gender pay gaps persist, with men earning significantly more than women for similar roles.
• Instances of sexual harassment in the workplace hinder equal opportunities for women.
• Women often juggle career and household responsibilities, facing societal pressure to prioritize family duties over their careers.
• Post-marriage, women are frequently expected to prioritize family over career, a choice rarely demanded of men.

Informal And Formal Sectors of The Economy

• Informal Sector:
  • The informal sector comprises economic activities that are not regulated, recognized, or taxed by the government.
  • Includes laborers at construction sites, subsistence farmers, and domestic workers.
  • Workers in this sector are often exploited due to lack of regulation.
  • They lack fixed wages, working hours, job security, and benefits like paid leave and medical insurance.
• Formal Sector:
  • The formal sector consists of economic activities that are regulated, recognized, and taxed by the government.
  • People working in this sector receive regular wages, fixed working hours, and various benefits like medical insurance and paid leave.

Bringing About a Change

• Progressive Society: A key indicator of a progressive society is its fair treatment of different genders.
• Gender-Based Inequality: In India, various forms of gender-based inequality exist.
• Reducing Inequalities: To reduce these inequalities, it is crucial to teach boys from a young age to respect women and view them as equals.
• Empowering Women: Empowering women involves educating them about their rights and actively involving them in decision-making processes.
• Government Initiatives: The government has taken significant steps towards achieving these goals.

Women's Empowerment Initiatives

• Women's Reservation Bill: Introduced in 1996 to ensure fair representation of women in Parliament. Women now have 33% reservations in local government bodies.
• Women's Education Initiatives: Programs like 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' and 'Digital Gender Atlas for Advancing Girls' Education in India' aim to boost women's education. Recent initiatives like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan focus on educating girls.
• Scholarships by CBSE: CBSE provides scholarships to girl students who are the only child of their parents.
• Workplace Facilities: Laws mandate organizations with over 30 women employees to have crèche facilities.
• Societal Progress: Gender roles are evolving, with men taking on traditionally female roles and vice versa, signaling progress towards gender equality.