Gender stereotypes

Gender stereotypes 

Gender stereotypes are simplistic generalizations about the gender attributes, differences, and roles of individuals and/or groups. Stereotypes can be positive or negative, but they rarely communicate accurate information about others. When people automatically apply gender assumptions to others regardless of evidence to the contrary, they are perpetuating gender stereotyping. Many people recognize the dangers of gender stereotyping, yet continue to make these types of generalizations.

Traditionally, the female stereotypic role is to marry and have children. She is also to put her family's welfare before her own; be loving, compassionate, caring, nurturing, and sympathetic; and find time to be sexy and feel beautiful. The male stereotypic role is to be the financial provider. He is also to be assertive, competitive, independent, courageous, and career‐focused; hold his emotions in check; and always initiate sex.

PATRIARCHY :

 Patriarchy is a often used term in everyday conversation. In casual conversation, whether in English or any other language the term implies “male domination”, “male prejudice (against women)”.  Simply, the term means “the absolute rule of the father or the eldest male member over his family”. Patriarchy is thus the rule of the father over all women in the family and also over younger socially and economically subordinate males.

Literally, patriarchy means rule by the male head of a social unit (like family, tribe). The patriarch is typically a societal elder who has legitimate power over others in the social unit.

Patriarchy has been viewed as more than just the subordination of women. It has been pointed out that not all men are powerful in a patriarchal system. For example younger men in the family have less authority and power than older men.

Different areas of women‟s lives are said to be under patriarchal control.

Women’s productive or labour power : Men control women‟s productivity both within the household and outside, in paid work. The work done by housewives is not considered as work at all and housewives become dependent on their husbands. Men also control women‟s labour outside the home.

 Women’s Reproduction : Men also control women‟s reproductive power. In many societies women have no control over then reproduction capacities. They cannot decide how many children they want, whether to use contraceptives, or a decision to terminate pregnancy. Control over Women’s Sexuality : Women are obliged to provide sexual services to their husbands according to their needs and desires. Moral and legal regulations exist to restrict the expression of women‟s sexuality outside marriage in every society, while male promiscuity is often condoned. Rape and threat of rape is another way in which women‟s sexuality is controlled through notions of „shame‟ and „honour‟, family honour.

Property and other Economic Resources : most property and other productive resources are controlled by men and are passed on from father to son. Even in societies where women have legal rights to inherit property, customary practices, social sanctions and emotional pressures that prevents them from acquiring control over them.

Sexuality

Sexuality is a central aspect of being human throughout life and encompasses sex, gender identities and roles, sexual orientation, eroticism, pleasure, intimacy and reproduction. Sexuality is experienced and expressed in thoughts, fantasies, desires, beliefs, attitudes, values, behaviours, practices, roles and relationships. While sexuality can include all of these dimensions, not all of them are always experienced or expressed. Sexuality is influenced by the interaction of biological, psychological, social, economic, political, cultural, ethical, legal, historical, religious and spiritual factors.