10 September 2024 : Daily Answer Writing

Q1) Gendered attitudes convert differences in sexes into discriminations. Examine the factors responsible for negative attitudes toward women in the Indian society. How can these attitudes be changed?

 (150 Words/10 Marks)

ANS

Attitude is a learned, enduring predisposition to act toward an attitude object. A gendered attitude converts the biological differences between sexes into social discriminations as:

1. Women are considered as the secondary bread winners, leading to their marginalisation at workplace. E.g., unequal pay for equal work, glass ceiling, glass cliff etc.
2. Gendered division of labour leads to the discrimination against women at domestic space. E.g., higher burden of domestic chores, un-paid labour etc.
3. Objectification and commodification of women. E.g., sexual harassment, mental agony, depression etc.
4. Gendered attitude towards the capacities and capabilities, leading to limited opportunities. E.g., women preferred as nurses, beauticians, teachers; low acceptance in politics, armed forces etc.
5. Gendered attitude towards decision making capability/rationality of women. E.g., limited voice in family planning.
6. Gendered attitude regarding the place of women in social hierarchy. E.g., access to nutrition (women eating at last), health facilities etc.

The factors/reasons behind the gendered attitude towards women are:

1. The sons are considered as the bearers of family’s pride and responsible to continue the lineage/traditions. While the women are considered as ‘parayadhan’.
2. Taboo associated with love marriages, live-in relationships etc., too affects women more than men. E.g., women married off in fear of inter-faith marriages etc.
3. Due to social-ills like dowry, superstitions associated with widows etc., women are considered as economic burden.
4. Societal/cultural:
5. Patriarchal nature of the society has constructed the social systems which subjugate, be-little women. E.g., husband considered to be the master of wife.
6. Primary/lead role of males in various religious ceremonies.
7. Role of media, movies etc. E.g., hero worship, while the female characters like mothers, wives etc., play a secondary role.
8. Acceptance of male dominance by women due to economic dependence, social/peer pressures, unequal political representation etc.

The negative attitudes towards the women can be changed through:

1. Educational institutions can play important role in imbibing gender equality. E.g., heterosexual sporting activities.
2. Regressive family values should be amended, to alter the patriarch structure. E.g., checking domestic violence, promoting role of women in family decisions etc.
3. Socio-economic empowerment of women. E.g., reservation in Parliament/assemblies, ensuring equal opportunities in private industries etc.
4. Inculcating gender-neutral values through print, electronic media. E.g., highlighting women centric issues through movies.
5. Legal route to facilitate gender equality. E.g., POSH act; making provisions for paternity leaves etc.
6. Behavioural changes:
7. Encouraging economic and educational development of women. E.g., Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme, selfie with the daughter initiative.
8. Presenting successful women as role models. E.g., Kiran Bedi, Indira Nooyi etc.

A gendered society can endanger the societal development. In this light, collaborative efforts are needed to create a gender-neutral society.