Gender Stereotype

Why in news?

A recent research study at the Indian Institute of Technology Patna revealed that gender stereotypes continue to exert a significant influence on the career decisions of women in higher education institutions in Bihar and Jharkhand.

What is gender stereotype?

• Definition - According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), a gender stereotype is a generalized view or preconception about attributes or characteristics, or the roles that are or ought to be possessed by, or performed by, women and men.
• It refers to the practice of ascribing to an individual woman or man specific attributes, characteristics, or roles by reason only of her or his membership in the social group of women or men.

What are the Causes for gender stereotypes?

• Family Structures - The traditional family model, has contributed to gender role expectations.
  • Men - Considered as the leader of the family.
  • Women - Responsible for domestic chores and caregiving.
• Fear of being judged - People often adhere to gender norms out of fear of being judged, ostracized, or discriminated against.
• Patriarchal mindset - Patriarchal societies often value masculine attributes over feminine ones, imbibing the notion that topmost jobs are suitable only for men.
• Societal customs - Many societies have ingrained traditional norms that have historical roots and have been reinforced over time, making them difficult to challenge.
• Cultural beliefs - Many religious and cultural practices promote specific gender roles and expectations.
• Economic factors - If one gender is systematically disadvantaged in terms of education, employment opportunities, and income, it can reinforce stereotypes about their capabilities and roles.
• Influence of media - The media, including television, movies, and advertisements, often portrays biased and skewed depictions of gender roles.

What are the Issues of gender stereotyping?

• Psychological Impact – It negatively impacts the mental health of both men and women.
• This can manifest in the form of anxiety and depression, and at times can lead to such illnesses as anorexia and bulimia.
• Limit’s ability – It is harmful when it limits women’s capacity to develop their personal abilities, pursue their professional careers and make choices about their lives.
• Self-esteem issues - It can also cause someone to question their self-worth, as being different from societal expectations can make individuals feel that they are not as capable as others.
• Erosion of trust – It often results in trust deficit in the society which is already dwindling.
• Exclusion issues - Stereotyping women has a serious consequence of leaving behind of women in many spheres like education, employment etc.

What are the steps taken by India?

• Supreme Court handbook - The Handbook on Gender Stereotypes is released by the Supreme Court of India.
• It is released with the intention of assisting judges and legal practitioners in recognizing, understanding, and combating gender stereotypes present in legal language and judgments.

What lies ahead?

• Breaking the stereotypes against women is important to promote inclusion and to build a more egalitarian society.
• Recognising and respecting the role and importance of women should be done in current fast-growing modern world.
• References

1. The Hindu| Thriving Stereotypes
2. OCHCR| Gender Stereotype