Gender Equality in India

3209 Words13 Pages
Equality between men and women is a matter for society at large, but it begins in the family. Understanding gender discrimination means understanding opportunities and constraints as they affect men as well as women. Men's attitudes and behaviours are strongly influenced by societal expectations about what it means to be a man. In particular, the assumption that contraception, pregnancy, childbirth and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases are exclusively women's concerns reinforces men's lack of involvement in safeguarding reproductive health — both their own and that of their partners. Definitions of masculinity are often rigidly stereotypical. In many settings, for example: * A "real man" acts, he is not the object of action: he is demanding or aggressive in articulating his desires and striving towards his goals. His proper sphere of action is economic or political, not domestic or familial; * A "real man" is the head of his family. He provides for his household, but he is entitled to use his resources as he chooses. He may choose personal pleasure above family expenses * A "real man" is strong. He does not recognize or admit uncertainty — a sign of weakness; * Emotion may also be a sign of weakness. A "real man" therefore admits little concern for his partner's wishes, pleasure or well-being. He does not readily attend to the emotional, as opposed to the instrumental, aspects of relationships. These stereotypes and others like them do not match reality, either for men or for those who depend on them. Men who — consciously or unconsciously — measure their lives against such stereotypes set themselves up for failure, difficulty in family relationships and unreasonable stress. In cultures where patriarchy is accepted as the only proper family structure, men and women may be trapped in a pattern of relationships and dependencies
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