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Gender and Inequality Discussion: Lies and Conversation
The definition of gender is not just based on the description of the features of males and females, but also the roles that are known to be of each gender. As a man, I take men as the gender that is supposed to be tough in life and also behave in a way that will give leadership to the females. In addition, the male is the gender supposed to take care of both themselves and also the female. On the other hand, the female is the delicate gender that takes care of the male gender and the family. These definitions are subjective to the perspectives of the modern society and do not reflect the truth about each gender.
To come to these conclusions, I have experienced the perceptions of the community that tends to drive people to think in a similar way. For instance, teenage girls are treated more delicately than teenage boys, which is the same case for children in both genders. My teenage girl sister was denied to visit her friends as a way of protecting her; but my teenage brother will be allowed to visit his friends freely. This means that the society feels that men can protect themselves while ladies cannot. This makes the definition of gender a relative aspect, especially when it involves the aspects of equality among the two genders.
These views are negative in relation to the low profile that the society views the female gender. They are negative because they reflect the wider society and to women themselves as if they were a weak gender, which is wrong. Tannen (2010) argues that the perceived difference between gender is because women and men have different expectations. However, these views are positive because they reflect what is actually portrayed by the society in relation to both genders. According to Tannen (2010), the best way to find a balance between men and women is to understand the problem and promote communication. Therefore, the positive aspect of these views is that they identify a problem in the perception of gender by the society.
It is now clear that we cause our own inequalities when relating towards the other gender. The inequalities are formed at the individual level, family level and society level. First, the upbringing in the family is not equal as the parents favor women more than boys when it comes to care; but teach the boys to be tough as men. Secondly, the same perception is developed in the community, which makes the male children feel to be the superior gender. The perceived inequality further extends to the social, economic and political aspects of the community where most leaders are men. This finally circles to the individual level where both men and women grow knowing that men are more superior to women. Consequently, it creates a feeling of inequality that is passed from generation to generation.
Generally, in defining gender, the most important part is the rearing of a child. This is because it is the stage that plays the part of teaching and showing examples to the children in relation to gender. Children will take the view of the parents and the teacher in relation to gender. Therefore, if a child grows seeing the mother as the decision taker in the family, he or she will most definitely take the perception that women are the superior gender; which is not true. To create a balanced and an equal community, then child rearing should be taken carefully to inform children of gender equality.
Reference
Tannen, D. (1990). “Sex, Lies and Conversation: Why Is It So Hard for Men and Women to Talk
to Each Other?” Retrieved From, <http://webpages.leeu.edu/daltopp/download/49> July 2, 2014