POWER AND GENDER

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-xqeTvD3as&noredirect=1 POWER AND GENDER Unit 2

2. INDEX • Definition of concepts: power, power relations, masculinity, femininity and gender. • Differences between a woman and a man. • Stereotypical views of gender roles and responsibilities • Gender differences in participation in physical activities. • Influence of gender inequality on relationships and general well-being.

3. 1) Definition of concepts

4. Power • Power: to have control or authority over another person or your environment. • It also refers to force, strength or might. Power is the ability to get things done. • How you understand power can affect your relationships. Power is abused if one person has too much power over another person. That leads to unequal power relations.

5. Power relations • The sharing of power between people in a relationship. • For many years men held the position of power over women in the workplace and in the home. (WATCH WOMAN KNOW YOUR LIMITS VIDEO CLIP) • This, however, is changing as government and society are trying to promote equal power relationships.

6. In some relationships one of the partners can be dominant, that is, have more power and control over the other. • The person who is less dominant is called submissive or meek. • In some cultures, women are encouraged to be submissive to men. Men often have more power because they are physically stronger than women. But our laws protect women against abuse.

7. An unequal power relationship is where one person has the power to either give or deny something to the other person. Often money, violence, emotional abuse and sexual intimacy are used to control the other person. • An equal power relationship is where no person has power over the other person.

8. Masculinity • - means maleness. This refers to the male sex. • Also means to behave in ways thought of as typical men/boys. • Describes men and boys and refers to their being manly, or their manliness. • The idea of masculinity is sometimes combined with social customs. This could encourage male control over women.

9. Femininity • Means femaleness. • Refers to the female sex • Also means to behave in ways thought of as typical for women. • Refers to qualities or attributes of what is customarily seen as suitable for women and girls. • This may lead to submissive behaviour on the part of women and girls.

10. Gender • The role in society that you are expected to play depending on whether you are a woman/girl or a man/boy. • Gender roles are given according to historical, political, economic and cultural norms, and may change over time. • Opportunities and restrictions may be linked to your gender. Women and men have different biological qualities, power, status, expectations, norms, roles and responsibilities in society.

12. Book work: Activity 5, page 17ACTIVITY 6 PAGE 18

13. POWER RELATIONS • Beliefs, roles, expectations associated with being male or female • Socially constructed – example and expectations of our surroundings • Expected behaviour varies according to one’s culture and community – can change over time • In most cases these differences are clearly defined • The result : inequalities and power differences between men and women

14. How are gender roles learnt? • During childhood • Based on how we see our elders acting and what we’re told • Boys – assertive, mentally and physically strong “Real men don’t cry.” • Girls – caring, attentive and submissive “Stepford wives.”

15. Differences between woman and men Women and men are similar in many ways but also different in some ways. The most obvious differences are biological. See page 19

16. Reproduction and rules in the community Traditionally – women = caregivers & homemakers BUT – roles are changing. Modern households share men share parenting & housekeeping duties. Best: use common sense & discuss + agree together about duties for women & men. Most roles in society = outdated + changing: it is up to individuals to modernise gender roles & responsibilities.

17. Stereotypical views of gender roles and responsibilities. Examples of gender differences as decided by societies: Women may earn less than men for similar work. Men are promoted to positions of power instead of women – example: more male than female school principals. In some societies women are not allowed to smoke/drink, but men are allowed. Often men are allowed to have many partners, but women are only allowed to have one husband. Male sports teams get more funding, media coverage & pay than female sports teams. In some societies men are allowed to drive cars while women are not. Women have to do more housework than men.

18. Stereotypical characteristics of women/men

19. Gender differences in participation in physical activities Men have larger hearts & lungs than women. The difference in the amount of oxygen they breathe has an effect on their physical performance – for example: when a man is jogging at about 50 % of his ability, a woman will need to work at over 70 % of her ability just to keep up with him. To ensure fairness in sport, men and women are separated, so they don’t compete against each other. For example: men play 5 sets and women 3 sets in tennis tournaments.

20. Influence of gender inequality on relationships and general well-being

21. Sexual abuse and violence When girls/women are involved in relationships where power is not equal, men may decide on the conditions under which sex will happen – this may mean forced sex (rape)