For many of us, there are many stereotypes to distinguish between women and men. The women are described as sensitive and complicated people. For example, they take more time than men for preparing everything and easily to cry in a tense situation for them. Indeed in Western culture, they belief that women are emotional than men. Meanwhile, men are best in emotional stability, rule consciousness, vigilance, openness to change, social boldness, privateness, and perfectionism.
Before we discuss that, it is very important to know what sex and gender are and understand the differences between the two. In general terms, sex refers to the biological differences between males and females, such as the genitalia and genetic differences. Yup men have a penis, and women have a vagina. Discussing genetic, men and women have actually the same set of about 20,000 genes. The only physical difference in their genetic structure is in the sex chromosomes. Only men have a Y chromosome and an X chromosome exists in both sexes which is two copies in women and only one in men.
Next, we will discuss what gender is. WHO defines gender as the socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes given by society. The considerations are what is appropriate for men and women or famous as masculine and feminine. The case that is still being debated is about stereotypes to distinguish between women and men in society, this case is also related to gender role. Stereotypes are generally judged but bias about a person or group. Gender stereotypes can cause unequal and unfair treatment because of a person’s gender.
It started from the past that women’s jobs were to take care of their children while men were hunting for food and daily needs. But now? Look around us, we still feel that there are many differences between women and men from being a child until adults now right? I’ll give you an illustration from a pregnant celebration held by people around us by distinguishing colors which are for baby boys in blue and girls in pink. So when the baby was born, clothing and accessories are distinguished between boys and girls. Then, people's beliefs about women’s greater emotional expressiveness are oftentimes two times than others. In addition, the beliefs in gender differences in personality traits and cognitive abilities make them treat the boy as firm behavior meanwhile the girl is careful because they seem fragile. Finally, when they grow up, they will have a narrow definition of what men and women are like.
The existence of these differences will affect gender identity that is built as humans from interpersonal and professional in the world of work. Gender identity is the way people perceive their feminine and masculine boundaries. What about their identity as a man or a woman. Some of them feel that their gender is in accordance with their biological character and some are not. Due to this case, gender identity is classified into three:
- Cisgender/gender-binary
People who conform exclusively to feminine or masculine identities exclusively. People who are not transgender or gender-fluid - Gender-queer
An umbrella term for individuals who denote themselves as not having a fixed gender. Includes gender-fluid and agender individual - Transgender
People whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from what is typically associated with the sex they were assigned at birth
Besides, Brain plasticity is influenced by many external factors for example empathy, girls are more sensitive than guys but the reality it’s caused by environmental influences. Supposedly brain-based differences in behavioral characteristics and cognitive skills change across time, place, and culture due to the different external factors experienced, such as access to education, financial independence, even diet.
Our potential must be maximized, not limited to the area of gender identity and gender roles because we have the same potential and opportunity to reach our dreams! #genderequality
