GENDER DISCRIMINATION: CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The d ISCRIMINATION gender occurs when it is unequally in the negative, because of the gender of the person. Although, by definition, such discrimination can affect men or women, in reality it is the latter who suffer it more frequently.

The causes of this difference in treatment have a historical and cultural root. On occasions it has tried to be justified by biological reasons, which would explain to its defenders an inferior role of women. Religions have played a decisive role in the treatment granted to women, since they all place them on a lower plane than men.

Source: pixabay.com

Gender roles, the roles traditionally assigned to each sex, try to perpetuate themselves by this type of discrimination. Thus, it is argued that women cannot occupy certain jobs, that they must be in charge of household chores and caring for children, or that they have to behave in a pre-established manner.

The consequences of this attitude are many and affect all social facets. Without a doubt, the most serious is gender violence. According to current statistics, every year thousands of women are killed by their partners, to which must be added the countless cases of sexual violence.

characteristics

In general, discrimination occurs when a person is considered to be of lesser worth for any individual characteristic. The reason can be from race and sexual orientation to gender.

Today it is known that the ancient beliefs that supported such discriminatory behaviors are false. There are differences between each individual, but these do not mean that their worth, intelligence or abilities are less than those of others. In this way, the Declaration of Human Rights established equality among all human beings.

When the reason for discrimination is sex, it is often referred to as gender discrimination. This affects many social areas, such as work and salary, vital independence from their male relatives or sexual violence.

Prejudices

Gender discrimination, like all other behaviors of this type, is based on each person's prejudices. Psychology points out that it is these previous value judgments that feed the belief in inequality between different human beings.

By definition, prejudices are not based on any logical or scientific criteria, but most of the time they are born from ignorance, fear or cultural customs.

In the case of women, there are many prejudices on a day-to-day basis. Thus, it is relatively common to hear that they drive cars worse than men, or that they are not capable of performing some heavy tasks.

Considers women inferior

The central characteristic of gender discrimination is the belief in their inferiority to men. Experts believe that around that thought gravitate the rest of the reasons why women are treated unequally.

This is linked to a conception of society in which the tasks traditionally performed by men are considered more important. Women have been turned away from many jobs thinking that they would not be able to do it.

Sometimes it is not very visible

The United Nations Development Program declared the following: "One of the most frequent and silent forms of violation of human rights is gender-based violence."

Compared to other discrimination, the one motivated by gender is more discreet; the reason is because it is internalized within societies. As discriminatory behaviors normalize, they do not appear to be so serious, or even exist.

That is the reason why organizations that fight against this problem put the accent on changing the so-called gender roles.

Historical and cultural roots

There is no doubt that discrimination on the grounds of sex has historical and cultural roots that have continued to this day. Tradition indicated that the woman's place was the house; she was the one who had to take care of the housework, take care of the husband and raise the children.

For their part, men were destined to occupy public space. In fact, a certain discrimination was also suffered by them, since society forced them to wage war and endure the hardest jobs.

To this we must add that women did not have political rights until just a decade ago. They were considered second-class citizens, unable to vote and comment on politics.

During the last 30 years or so there has been an improvement in these aspects. The woman has managed to work outside the home, earning her own salary. However, if men do not take up work at home, women's access to the labor market can cause them to end up burdened with a double task.

The evolution of the laws, many times more advanced than society itself, has been fundamental for the situation to begin to change.

It is not just an individual act

The fact that behaviors were so assimilated by society means that discrimination is not only individual. In this way, there is an unequal treatment in which the whole society participates.

Not only men perpetuate that discrimination. Many women educated in these values ​​reproduce the same patterns.

Causes

Despite the fact that part of society thinks that gender discrimination is a thing of the past, the real data refutes that belief. According to official reports, in the United States alone in 2008 almost 30,000 charges were filed for this type of discrimination. In other countries with less advanced legislation, the problem is greater.

In order to solve the matter, experts say that it is essential to know the reasons for its persistence.

Religion

One of the bases of discriminatory behavior based on gender is religions. In general, its postulates place women below men in value. This is not only contemplated in their texts, but also in the institutions created by the religious.

Family laws

It is a matter closely linked to the previous one. In most Western countries, discriminatory family laws against women have disappeared, but that is not the case in much of the world.

Among the most harmful aspects are arranged marriages, in which the brides are often extremely young. Furthermore, women are established almost as another property of men.

The economic sphere is also important in this regard. In many places women do not have the right to own anything, having to ask permission to buy material goods.

Discrimination in the workplace

This point is both a cause and a consequence of gender discrimination. As a cause, being lower paid or only being able to apply for less qualified jobs perpetuates the situation of inequality.

The contempt of women in the workplace means that they do not earn their own salary; to do so, independence from the men in the family would be less.

Behind this dependence there are many cases of having to endure abuse in the family environment, since there is no decent way out of the situation.

Education

Education has perpetuated gender discrimination for centuries. Faced with a comprehensive education, which indicates equality between men and women, it has continued to transmit the traditional unequal values.

Apart from this, there are still many areas of the planet where girls cannot access education; This puts them in a more difficult position to improve their living conditions.

Role differentiation

It is perhaps the most repeated cause of the existence of discrimination based on sex. In order to establish them, religions, social customs, positions of force and other different factors have participated.

In general, these roles establish that the male gender is stronger and more capable than the female. In this way, children are educated as strong leaders, while women receive messages focused on sensitivity and as a source of care.

On the other hand, many psychologists affirm that this education in children makes them repress their affective side, also unbalancing their development.

In much of the world, girls have a socialization process that focuses on their reproductive work. The pressure, even in the West, is for them to take on the role of mother; this role ends up being the center of her life.

Consequences

Gender violence

The most serious consequence of gender discrimination is the physical, sexual or psychological violence it produces. In the first case, it leads to the death of the victims, although there are also many cases of beatings or beatings without reaching that end.

Sexual violence translates into rape, abuse or harassment, causing great psychological and physical damage to the person who suffers it. As for the psychological, less visible, it also causes serious consequences.

Laws have been enacted in many countries to try to prevent these acts. On the contrary, in others, no efforts have been made to stop them. Cases like so-called honor killings are still common in some areas of the planet.

In employment

Discrimination in employment can begin directly with the refusal to hire employees because they are women and men. Salary is another issue where differences often exist, especially as women are offered fewer opportunities to achieve higher and better paid positions.

On the other hand, one of the great consequences of gender discrimination in employment is due to maternity. Many employers do not want to hire women who can become pregnant, causing clear discrimination against them.

Finally, cases of sexual harassment at work are also serious. These are aggravated when they are given by hierarchical superiors, taking advantage of the threat or fear of dismissal.

Gender gap

In general, the differences between men and women in several different categories is called the gender gap. This gap is measured taking into account various aspects, from political rights and influence in the workplace, to public rights or average salary.

The difference comes from the social hierarchy, which places the man above the woman. This can be seen in the so-called "glass ceiling."

The expression indicates the highest position a woman reaches in any organization. It has been proven that, regardless of their merits, it is more difficult for them to overcome certain levels.

According to the World Economic Forum, 2017 saw a decline in the fight for equality in the world. The international body points out that closing this gap will take at least 100 years.

Health problems

Some studies suggest that gender discrimination can have negative consequences for health. According to the data provided, worldwide the leading cause of death among women between 20 and 59 years of age is suicide. Likewise, there is a greater propensity to develop depression or anxiety.

Unequal treatment is one of the triggers for these diseases. Sexual and psychological violence and social pressure to maintain strict roles are responsible for part of the psychological discomfort.

Solutions

Solutions to discrimination based on sex are faced from different fronts. Experts point out that some of the most important fronts are the educational, the legislative, and the media. Being a phenomenon with a strong cultural roots, a change in the general mentality of the population is necessary.

Education

The pedagogical aspect is one of the most fundamental to avoid discriminatory behavior in society. According to pedagogues, boys and girls should receive an inclusive education, without emphasizing the old gender roles.

For this, educational tools have been developed to eliminate the stereotypes created, such as those that eliminate sexist references regarding the different professions.

Legislation

Although the laws cannot change the mentality of a society, they are a support for people who suffer discrimination. In addition, they serve to establish what actions are intolerable and punish acts that may be punishable.

They are of special importance to end physical and sexual violence, as well as to limit the consequences of inequality in the workplace.

Encourage presence in public space

Given that in many cases social dynamics do not allow women to reach visible positions, governments must make an effort to support them. In many places, gender quotas have been established in parliaments, boards of directors and other organizations.

These are temporary measures, in effect until the historical effects of discrimination have diminished. In this regard, experts recall the importance of the presence of women in the media.

Seek role changes

The definitive solution would be to end the established roles and the prejudices and stereotypes created over the years. However, that change of mind is the most difficult thing to achieve.

Through informative, educational and artistic actions, an attempt is made to promote greater male participation in responsibilities at home and with children.

For example, in Nepal and Norway, programs are being developed to improve parity. In the first case, it includes legislation to favor the presence of women in the private sector. Norwegians, on the other hand, have focused on promoting employment parity.

References

1. Definition. Definition of Gender Discrimination. Obtained from definicion.mx
2. Fucsia.co. Gender discrimination. Obtained from fucsia.co
3. UNICEF. Gender discrimination throughout the life cycle. Retrieved from unicef.org
4. Reuters, Thomson. Gender Discrimination. Retrieved from civilrights.findlaw.com
5. UN Women Training Center Glossary. Gender discrimination. Obtained from eige.europa.eu
6. Quain, Sampson. The Causes, Effects & Remedies for Gender Discrimination. Retrieved from smallbusiness.chron.com
7. Parker, Kim. Gender discrimination comes in many forms for today's working women. Retrieved from pewresearch.org
8. USA Gov. Sex-Based Discrimination. Retrieved from eeoc.gov