Gender Inequality-Social Dimensions in

Education-ED11201

Gender InequalityGender inequality refers to unequal treatment or perceptions of individuals based on their gender. It stems from distinctions, whether empirically grounded or socially constructed.

4 Themes Characterizing

Femenist Theorizing of Gender Inequality

I. Men and women are situated in society not only differently but also unequally.

II. Inequality results from the organization of society, not from any significant biological or personality differences between men and women.

III. Although individual human beings may vary somewhat from each other in their profile of potentials and traits, no significant pattern of natural variation distinguishes the sexes.

IV. All inequality theories assume both men and women will respond fairly easily and naturally to more egalitarian social structures and situations.

Gender and Power

Gender refers to the different ways men and women play in the society, and to the relative power they wield.

Power is the basic fabric of society and is possessed in varying degrees by social actors in diverse social categories.

Women and children are often on the abused side of the power because of…

Greater physical strength that men tend to have.

Distorted view of sexuality

Objectification of the female

Max Weber defined power as the likelihood a person may acheive personal ends despite possible resistance from others.

‘‘As a group, women are at a distinct disadvantage when considering both power and

authority.’’

Determinants of power:

Status resources-characterized by a rank-ordered relationship among people associated with prestige and deference behavior

Experience

Self-Confidence

Gender and Education

‘‘Investing in education is seen as one of the fundamental ways in which

nation states and their citizens can move toward long-term development

goals and improve both social and economic standards of living.’’

Schools also reinforce gendered social roles.

SUMMARY

Gender inequality tends to slow down economic growth and make the rise from poverty more difficult.

Women have always had lower status than men, but the extent of the gap between the sexes varies across cultures and time.

SUMMARY

Gender equality accelerates overall economic growth, strengthens democratic governance and reduces poverty and insecurity.

Equality between men and women is a worthy goal that is central to progress in human development.