Definition of Gender

Gender refers to the characteristics of women, men, girls and boys that are
socially constructed. This includes norms, behaviours and roles associated with
being a woman, man, girl or boy, as well as relationships with each other. As a
social construct, gender varies from society to society and can change over time.

For example, girls and women are generally expected to dress in typically
feminine ways and be polite, accommodating, and nurturing. Men are generally
expected to be strong, aggressive, and bold. Every society, ethnic group, and
culture has gender role expectations, but they can be very different from group
to group.
 Gender Role
Judith Butler:
Judith Butler, a philosopher and gender theorist, is known for her work on performativity and
gender. She defines gender as a "stylized repetition of acts" and suggests that gender roles are
not inherent but are socially constructed performances that individuals learn and repeat.
Simone de Beauvoir:
In her seminal work "The Second Sex," Simone de Beauvoir explores the concept of women
as the "Other" and discusses how society assigns roles to individuals based on their gender.
She argues that these roles are not natural but are imposed by cultural and societal
expectations.
Talcott Parsons:
Talcott Parsons, a sociologist, contributed to the structural functionalist perspective. He
defined gender roles as part of the social structure, emphasizing the complementary roles of
men and women within the family. Parsons argued that these roles contribute to the stability
of the social system.
John Money:
John Money, a psychologist, introduced the term "gender role" in the 1950s. He defined it as
"all those things that a person says or does to disclose himself or herself as having the status
of boy or man, girl or woman, respectively."
Gender roles encompass a wide range of societal expectations, behaviors, and responsibilities
traditionally associated with masculinity and femininity.

While these roles are evolving, examples of traditional gender roles include:
Occupational Roles:
Historically Male-Dominated Professions: Jobs in fields such as engineering, information
technology, and construction have often been associated with men.
Traditionally Female-Dominated Professions: Nursing, teaching, and administrative roles
have been traditionally associated with women.
Domestic Roles:
Cooking and Cleaning: Women have often been expected to take on the primary
responsibility for household chores, including cooking, cleaning, and childcare.
Breadwinning: Men have traditionally been expected to be the primary providers for their
families.

Parental Roles:

Nurturing and Emotional Support: Women are often associated with providing emotional
support and nurturing roles for children.
Discipline and Authority: Men may be traditionally associated with the role of providing
discipline and being the authority figure in the family.
Appearance and Clothing:
Traditional Attire: Women may be expected to wear dresses or traditional clothing, while
men are expected to wear pants and shirts.
Grooming: Societal expectations around grooming and personal care may differ for men and
women.
Behavioural Expectations:
Assertiveness: Men may be expected to be assertive, confident, and competitive in various
social and professional situations.
Politeness and Empathy: Women may be expected to exhibit politeness, empathy, and
nurturing behaviors.
Social Interactions:
Initiating Relationships: Men may be traditionally expected to take the lead in initiating
romantic relationships.
Social Harmony: Women may be expected to prioritize social harmony and maintain
relationships.
Sports and Physical Activities:

Team Sports: Men may be encouraged to participate in team sports, while women might be
directed towards individual or less physically demanding activities.
Decision-Making Roles:
Major Financial Decisions: Men may be traditionally expected to take the lead in making
major financial decisions for the family.
Family Planning: Women may be expected to take a leading role in decisions related to
family planning and childcare.
Expressions of Emotion:

Expression of Vulnerability: Men may be discouraged from expressing vulnerability or

emotions perceived as "weak," while women may be encouraged to be more open with their
feelings.
It's important to note that these examples represent traditional gender roles, and there is
increasing recognition and acceptance of diverse gender identities and expressions. Societal
norms are evolving, and individuals may challenge or redefine these roles based on personal
preferences and values.

Books:

"The Second Sex" by Simone de Beauvoir - A classic feminist text that provides a
philosophical perspective on the construction of gender roles.
"Women, Race & Class" by Angela Y. Davis - Explores the intersectionality of gender, race,
and class in the context of feminism.
"The Palace of Illusions" by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni - A novel that reimagines the
Mahabharata from the perspective of its female characters, offering insights into traditional
gender roles.
Academic Journals:

"Economic and Political Weekly" - This Indian journal covers a wide range of topics,
including gender studies, providing scholarly articles on gender roles in India.
"Gender & Society" - A leading journal in the field of gender studies that publishes research
on the social construction of gender roles.
Reports and Studies:

"Gender Inequality in India: Evidence from a New Panel Dataset" by Stephan Klasen and Jan
Priebe - An academic paper that provides statistical insights into gender disparities in India.
"National Family Health Survey (NFHS)" - Surveys conducted by the Government of India
that provide comprehensive data on various aspects of family and health, including gender-
related indicators.
Documentaries and Films:

"India's Frontier Railways" - Episode 3 of this documentary series explores the lives of
female railway workers, offering a glimpse into gender roles in a non-traditional setting.
"Lipstick Under My Burkha" - A film that addresses women's desires and challenges societal
expectations, offering a contemporary perspective on gender roles in India.
Websites and Organizations:

UN Women India - The United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and women's
empowerment provides reports and resources specific to India.
Centre for Women's Development Studies (CWDS) - A research center in Delhi focusing on
women's studies and gender research in India.
Government Reports:

Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India - Reports and publications
addressing gender-related issues and initiatives in India.
Patriarchy
Denotes a social system characterized by mate dominance over women. In context of the
family, it becomes “a system originating in the household wherein the father dominates”.
This structure is reproduced throughout the society. It is a social structure where male
dominance over female (both as an individual and as group) is seen in all spheres of live.
Patriarchal society manifests subordination of women by sexual division of labor. The
patriarchy comprises of two elements; its structure and ideology. The structural aspect is
manifested in the hierarchical organization of social institutions and social relation. It thus
relegates power to certain individuals, groups or classes and form of subservience to others.
The maintenance of this hierarchical structure and authority needs acceptance by many. The
patriarchal ideology serves to reinforce this acceptance. It is a rationalization of the inequality
and subordination, which is accepted by those who are in subordinate position. Quite often
this is legitimized through religion and formal legislations.
Sex and gender are terms that are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct
meanings:

Sex:

Definition: Sex refers to the biological attributes that distinguish male and female organisms.
It is typically determined by chromosomes, reproductive organs, and secondary sexual
characteristics like facial hair or breast development.
Examples:
Humans are typically classified as male (XY chromosomes, reproductive organs including
testes) or female (XX chromosomes, reproductive organs including ovaries).
In many species, sex is determined by factors such as the presence or absence of certain
chromosomes.
Gender:

Definition: Gender is a social and cultural construct that encompasses the roles, behaviors,
activities, expectations, and societal norms that a particular culture considers appropriate for
men and women. It is more about identity and how individuals perceive themselves and their
roles in society.
Examples:
In many societies, there are expectations regarding the behavior and roles of men and women.
For instance, certain cultures may associate qualities like assertiveness and independence
with males, while nurturing and empathy are associated with females.
Gender identity is a person's internal sense of their own gender, which may or may not align
with the sex assigned to them at birth. For example, someone assigned male at birth may
identify as a woman.
It's important to note that while sex is often considered binary (male or female), gender is
more fluid and can be seen as a spectrum. Some individuals may identify outside the
traditional categories of male or female, and terms such as non-binary, genderqueer, or
genderfluid are used to describe diverse gender identities. The distinction between sex and
gender highlights the biological versus social and cultural aspects of human identity.