Gender and Development
Gender and Development
Reflection on Gender
and Development
(Social Dimension)
Submitted by:
Ayagan, Angelica
Becislao, Edilie
Ambalatan, Jehan
Submitted to:
Jazer O. Castańeda
Gender and Development
For several years sexism divides individuals, in terms of roles at home and at
the society in which they belong. And in many ways, domestic violence, sexual abuse,
sexual harassment, rape, and other serious problems are perpetrated because men
think that they are tough, strong, powerful, dominant, and in control of their relationship
with women. These concepts are studied in Social Dimensions of education because
many problems in contemporary societies are rooted from the supremacy of men over
women.
GAD marked a shift in thinking about the need to understand how women and
men are socially constructed and how ‘those constructions are powerfully reinforced by
the social activities that both define and are defined by them.’ GAD focuses primarily on
the gendered division of labor and gender as a relation of power embedded in
institutions. Consequently, two major frameworks ‘Gender roles’ and ‘social relations
analysis’ are used in this approach. 'Gender roles' focuses on the social construction of
identities within the household; it also reveals the expectations from ‘maleness and
femaleness’ in their relative access to resources. 'Social relations analysis' exposes the
social dimensions of hierarchical power relations embedded in social institutions, as well
as its determining influence on ‘the relative position of men and women in society’.
Theories of Gender and Development
The social learning theory or also known as Cultural Transmission Theory is the
acquisition of gender identity and behavior is shape by parent, teacher and other
adult. As a child they are naturally dependent to someone who has seniority over
them, thinking that seniors have more experience, concrete knowledge and the one
who is morally upright compare to them. As an instinct child imitate treats that they
particularly seen by the seniors.
As a role of adults, they must have the proper way on how to approach things
in front of the child they have to show the best example so that appropriate gender
role will adapt by the child, because 70 percent of child’s deployment is carried
throughout the adulthood of the child.
A child in this theory is engage in a concrete thinking that what gender they
should be and what should the gender be like. This is the reflection of the child’s
development through the years of exposing in the environment in which he or she is
belong. The observation that the child take over the development may or may not be
imitate by him consequently, it is base on the child’s concept of thinking.
Gender stereotyping
Gender equality also known as sexual equality, is the state of equality of access
to resources and opportunities regardless of gender, including economic participation
and decision making and the state of valuing different behavior, aspirations and needs
equally regardless of gender.
Gender equality is the equality between men and women entails the concepts
that all human being, both men and women are free to develop their personal abilities
and makes choices without the limitations set by stereotype, rigid gender roles and
prejudice. Gender equality means that the different behavior, aspiration and needs of
men and women are considered values, favored equally. It does not mean that women
and men have to become the same, but their rights, responsibility and opportunities will
not depend on whether they are been male and female. Gender equality means fairness
of treatment that is different but which is considered as equivalent in terms of rights,
benefits, obligations, and opportunities.
Our world has always been faced with the problem of discrimination. It is one of
the most discussed topics nowadays and throughout history. In all countries there is
most likely at least one type of discrimination that affects different groups of people. The
definition of discrimination is the denial of opportunity or equal rights for a specific group
of people that may be differentiated by things such as their religion, color of skin, or
gender. Discrimination can be confused with other terms such as prejudice and
stereotype. The world we live in has been struggling with this sensitive subject for as
long as we have recorded. Stereotypes are images held in our minds in regards to
certain racial or cultural groups, without consideration of whether the images held are
true or false. Prejudice and discrimination do not just occur racially, but it is found
among gender, religion, culture, and geographical background. Remember that
prejudice is a result of attitude and discrimination is a result of action.
Many people believe discrimination has made big steps forward, but has it really?
If it has, why do people still get turned down, receive hate mail, or get ridiculed simply
because they differ from each other. I guess these are questions we must ask
ourselves. I guess you could also ask yourself if you have ever called anybody a name,
looked at them different or judged them when you did not even know them or
understand them. You may be thinking "That is not discrimination," but, in fact, it is.
Gender shapes power inequalities based on other divisions, such as class and
ethnicity, and vice versa. Gender shapes institutions and how they affect the
distribution of power. Most political and economic institutions, historically dominated by
men are tailored to (elite) men’s experience. They idealize masculine forms of behavior
and rely on men’s power over women. Therefore these institutions tend to lock in two
types of power, men’s power over women, and the power of the most masculine men
over everyone take political parties. They are key gatekeepers for women’s political
participation, but their male-dominated cultures often make them inaccessible to
women. Gender shapes how we understand what “power” is in the first place. The
widely accepted definition of power is getting someone else to do what you want them
to do. Arguably this reflects a specifically male experience of the world a place inhabited
by hostile others with whom to survive you are forced to forge some kind of social
relationship. Women, particularly in their socially assigned roles of wife and mother,
may more often understand themselves as being in continuity with the people around
them rather than in opposition. They often aim to build capacity in others rather than to
dominate. This would suggest an alternative idea of power the capacity to transform and
empower you and others. Among to other things this alternative perspective highlights
that women can sometimes have special forms of influence on decision-making
because of their specific social status.
Gender and Education
For almost four decade, gender equality in education has been one of the
key global concern and as a result various organization in national and international
level along with government. Limited programs focusing on achieving gender equality,
women’s empowerment and improving women’s access to education. Through
education we can achieve empowerment and influence cultural practices that are
gender sensitive.