Understanding Gender Roles, Relations, and Power Dynamics

Definition of Gender Roles and Gender Relations

Gender roles are the social definitions of women and men. They vary among different societies, cultures, classes, ages, and historical periods.

Gender relations are the ways in which a culture or society defines the rights, responsibilities, and identities of men and women in relation to one another.

Key Aspects of Gender

• Traits of being male/female are biological.
• Gender is learned and cultural.
• Gender guides a child's socialization according to societal expectations.
• Many differences between men and women are socially constructed.

What Does Gender Mean?

Gender shapes societies and cultures. Most societies are hierarchical, with one or more dominant groups and other subordinate groups. The dominant group has the power to control the outcomes of others. They have more status and social respect. Modern societies are often patriarchal, meaning they are ruled by fathers, granting more power and higher status to men.

Gender and Power

• Men often create laws that everyone must obey.
• Organized religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) often favor patriarchy.
• Men frequently have more control over public communication (media, TV, newspapers).
• Men generally have more wealth and leisure time in every society.
• Women often have less access to education.
• Men typically hold more political and military power in most societies.

Prejudice and Discrimination

Prejudice is prejudgment, forming an opinion before knowing the relevant facts. Prejudice can make others feel unequal.

Discrimination based on gender involves treating people unfairly because they are women.

Oppression occurs when someone is dominating, and women are denied basic rights.

Gender's Impact on Social Interactions

1. The Cognitive Impact of Gender

Gender is closely related to thinking. People often adhere to gender roles unconsciously, as they are ingrained in thought processes.

2. Gender as a Presentation of Self

People often strive to present themselves as gendered beings. This can be a strategic choice. For example, women may avoid the label "feminist" in public due to negative connotations.

3. Doing Gender

Like actors in a play, people enact "man" and "woman" roles, with themselves and others as the audience. They actively perform gender.

Non-Verbal Messages

1. High-status people have more non-verbal privileges.
2. They can occupy more space, touch others and their possessions.
3. They are less obligated to show interest in others' conversations.
4. In interactions, men often behave like high-status, dominant individuals.
5. Studies show women smile more than men, and are often expected to.
6. Visual dominance: High-status people look at subordinates while speaking, but look away when subordinates speak.
7. Touch can communicate intimacy or dominance.