gender inequality

1. Gender Inequality
-Social Dimensions in Education-
ED11201

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

3. 4 Themes Characterizing
Femenist Theorizing of
Gender Inequality

4. 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.

5. 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.

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

7. Gender and Power

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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.’’

11. Determinants of power:
Status resources
-characterized by a rank-ordered relationship
among people associated with prestige and
deference behavior
Experience
 Self-Confidence

12. Gender and Education

13. ‘‘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.

14. 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.

15. 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.