Oppression in Gender
Discuss how oppression related to ‘Gender’ can manifest itself in institutions and societies, and how it can impact upon the lives of individuals and communities. Consider and make specific reference to the social policy response.
Oppression is defined as: ‘Inhuman or degrading treatment of individuals or groups; in hardship and in justice brought about by the dominance of one group over another; the negative and demeaning exercise of power. Oppression often involves disregarding the rights of an individual or group and this is a denial of citizenship’ (Thompson, 2001). A person or group of people may experience oppression due to a number of factors such as, age, race, gender, sexuality or because of a disability. This essay will look at oppression of women in the home and in UK society. Scruton (1983) defined feminism as: “a movement advocating the rights of women and of their social, political and economic equality with men.” There are many diverse views to Feminism. Nevertheless, it shares the common assumption that society is male-controlled; men are to blame for the oppression of women in the home and in society. They see men as having most of the power in the home along with higher paid jobs. Gender equality is described as "A social order in which women and men share the same opportunities and the same constraints on full participation in both the economic and the domestic realm" (Bailyn, 2006). Gender inequality in the home is a reflection of society’s patriarchal values that continue to hinder the lives of women who earn less than men. This essay will explore how women’s roles in the family have changed over the last sixty years and also look at how gender can impact on the lives of women as individuals and their roles in the community. Along with this, some social policy responses to the issues will be presented throughout each section.
Traditionally in households, men typically did very little housework or childcare as they were the main
Oppression is defined as: ‘Inhuman or degrading treatment of individuals or groups; in hardship and in justice brought about by the dominance of one group over another; the negative and demeaning exercise of power. Oppression often involves disregarding the rights of an individual or group and this is a denial of citizenship’ (Thompson, 2001). A person or group of people may experience oppression due to a number of factors such as, age, race, gender, sexuality or because of a disability. This essay will look at oppression of women in the home and in UK society. Scruton (1983) defined feminism as: “a movement advocating the rights of women and of their social, political and economic equality with men.” There are many diverse views to Feminism. Nevertheless, it shares the common assumption that society is male-controlled; men are to blame for the oppression of women in the home and in society. They see men as having most of the power in the home along with higher paid jobs. Gender equality is described as "A social order in which women and men share the same opportunities and the same constraints on full participation in both the economic and the domestic realm" (Bailyn, 2006). Gender inequality in the home is a reflection of society’s patriarchal values that continue to hinder the lives of women who earn less than men. This essay will explore how women’s roles in the family have changed over the last sixty years and also look at how gender can impact on the lives of women as individuals and their roles in the community. Along with this, some social policy responses to the issues will be presented throughout each section.
Traditionally in households, men typically did very little housework or childcare as they were the main