Question

1) What is gender? Discuss significance of gender as a category in the analysis of power
relationships and the ways in which modalities of femininity and masculinity are performed.

Answer 1

The gender in terms of social and cultural differences are simply male and female . It is to be noted that there are differences between a male and a female biologically that makes their appearances different but gender is altogether socially defined construct that either creates stereotypes ,prejudices or a time marginalization. The patriarchal society have given rise to a superior kind of mindset among the males like boys should not play with girls or male should not cry as both are the signs of weakness etc.

The gender differences are mostly expressed in a unique way like the male be it a grown up man or a boy are supposed to work and earn and women meant to remain confined within the domestic walls ,if a boy violates the set values, norms or rules he is either harassed or labeled with different awkward names .They are considered to be some strange creatures who mingle with opposite sex. The box of masculinity often makes a person deaf to the sufferings of other sex and the same often gives rise to domestic violence like issues, rapes, suicides etc. It doesn’t inculcate in them a sense of empathy and sympathy .

The significance of the gender differences is understood in terms of the division of power ,stereotypes and much more that exists in the society in the name of gender .The socially contructed terms or values or even differences have strong foundations in a system,the tastes,the clothes,the academics are even decided at the pretext of gender or sex .