2013-14

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Gender : A Socio - Cultural Construct
(2014-03-05T06:55:36Z) Amita, Agrawal
India may be an emerging economic powerhouse, the Constitution ensures gender equality as a fundamental right but at the same time various acts have been passed and measures been taken for positive discrimination in favor of women but the results have not been fruitful. The term ‘Gender’ is rarely interpreted in its right sense. Sex is referred to biological differences in men and women whereas gender is the range of physical, biological, mental and behavioral characteristics pertaining to, and differentiating between, masculinity and femininity. Today, gender is constructed on social and cultural background. It is essential to understand sex-gender distinction. Our beliefs, behaviors, and thoughts are not set in stone; rather, they adapt to the society and cultural conditions in which we are raised. Since ages we are made to believe that the different roles and status accorded to men and women across societies are fixed by sex, and that they are natural and therefore not changeable. Gender construction in society starts at birth with introduction of the sex category, continues with the culture in which they are brought up, to the choice of school, profession and so on .Gender today is a socio cultural institution in itself. This study focuses on the prevailing gender inequalities in the light of socio cultural background and the measures which can be taken to overcome them.