Category: Gender

Gender inequality is one issue I feel strongly about following its negative impacts on societies. It is the state in which all individuals, regardless of their sex or gender identity, are able to access and enjoy the same opportunities, rights, and resources. Many advancements have been made toward achieving gender equality over the past few decades, but there is still a long way to go. Gender equality is important because it is a human right, essential for economic growth, and helps in ensuring that all genders receive better education, thus making gender inequality an issue.

Gender equality is a key human right that should be enjoyed by everyone. All people  regardless of their gender  should be able to enjoy the same rights and opportunities. I believe that every person, regardless of their sex, deserves equal treatment under the law and deserves an equal opportunity to achieve their dreams. Additionally, gender inequality is an issue since it does not make sense to mistreat someone based on their sex, which they do not have control over; nobody dictated their gender during creation. Gender equality is essential for economic growth in every nation (Smith 13). When women have the same opportunities as men, economies grow faster compared to when only men are favored. Again, the nation cannot reach its full potential if some of its population is held back and oppressed because of their sex.

No gender should be discriminated against because everyone needs education to succeed. All parents wish and support their children to succeed, but on the other hand, chances of finding a job to support the family become limited without education (Smith 11). A lack of education limits womens opportunities and keeps them in poverty. Women with an education are more likely to have healthier children, earn more money, and be involved in their community development (Smith 5). In many parts of the world, women are still denied education and often trapped in a cycle of poverty and abuse. Many women have lost their lives as a result of depression following the fact that they could not provide for their families (Smith 13). Some of them have also involved themselves in dangerous activities to sustain their families. These womens deaths are due to struggling to provide for their families due to the lack of education.

Gender equality is a human right that all should enjoy, and nobody deserves mistreatment since no one dictated their gender during their creation. Similarly, gender inequality remains an issue because all genders are needed for economic growth, and nations cannot grow to their potential if part of their population is sabotaged. Conversely, all genders need education for job security to support their families, failure to which they experience depression and get into dangerous activities such as prostitution to raise income.

Work Cited

Smith, Angela. Gender Equality in Changing Times. Springer International Publishing: Imprint: Palgrave Macmillan, 2020.

The gender pay gap is the difference between mens and womens average gross hourly wages. It is based on pay given directly to employees and excludes deductions for social security and income taxes. Only enterprises with ten or more employees are included in the calculations. The gender wage gap results from structural issues, including employment, education, and work experience discrepancies. The gender pay gap, according to Blau & Kahn, may be explained by disparities in human capital and employment discrimination (2020, p. 345). After this amount is subtracted, what is left is the gender wage gap as adjusted. However, Larraz et al. assert that adhering to gender guidelines does not result in a more evenly distributed income for men and women(2019). Closing the gender pay gap and increasing the hiring and advancement of women are likely outcomes of taking specific action.

First, there needs to be diversity among the women who apply for jobs and get promoted. Secondly, using exercises for skill-based recruiting assessment. Instead of depending on interviews, they require candidates to do tasks that would be required of them in the position they are applying for. Judging a candidates appropriateness based on how effectively they perform those tasks, treating all applicants equally, and standardizing the scoring criteria.

Using formal interviews for recruiting and promotion is the third step. Both organized and unstructured interviews have benefits and drawbacks, but unstructured interviews are more likely to let unfair bias creep in and influence conclusions. It is ideal to use structured interviews, where the same questions are asked of each candidate in a preset order and format, and the answers are assessed using a set of agreed-upon criteria. As a result, responses are more evenly distributed, and unconscious bias is lessened. The reasons for the gender wage gap can be divided into two categories: discrimination against women in the workplace and gender disparities in qualifications (Blau, 2018, p. 929).

Finally, one might promote pay haggling by providing compensation ranges. In part, because they lose interest if they are dubious of a fair offer, women are less likely than men to negotiate a raise. Pay inequality is the most frequently reported kind of discrimination (Graf et al., 2018). To encourage women to negotiate their compensation, employers should be open and honest about the salary range they give. The applicant is then better able to comprehend what is realistic to anticipate. If employers want to encourage women to negotiate job salaries, they need to be clear about it. If women negotiate their salaries more, their income will be closer to that of men.

Economic growth will be stimulated by raising womens employment rates and closing the pay gap between them and men. Despite recent progress in these areas, women still have lower employment rates than men do in the labor market, which may limit growth. The reduction of the pay gap primarily has no impact on GDP. On the one hand, higher compensation encourages more women to enter the workforce, increasing the economys capacity for output and adding to the number of jobs available. Women also receive lower amounts of extra advantages like sickness and life insurance, according to Miller & Vagins, as these are typically based on earnings (2018). Increases in female labor market participation may have positive employment consequences, and salary increases for women help close the activity rate gap. On the other hand, there are fewer jobs available as a result of businesses lowering their demand for labor as a result of rising labor costs.

When womens work is valued, acknowledged as equal to that of their male peers, and compensated appropriately, they are less likely to experience poverty. Additionally, they have easier access to higher and earlier education and institutions of learning, which all contribute to the households eventual economic prosperity. When women are compensated fairly and valued for their work, everyone wins. The benefits are significant and pervasive. The trend toward workplace equality seems inevitable, even though it is unlikely to happen overnight, and there are probably more trends and activities growing around compensation

References

Blau, F. (2018). The sources of the gender pay gap. In Social Stratification (pp. 929-941). Routledge.

Blau, F. D., & Kahn, L. M. (2020). The gender pay gap: Have women gone as far as they can? In Inequality in the United States: A Reader (pp. 345-362). Routledge.

Graf, N., Brown, A., & Patten, E. (2018). The narrowing but the persistent gender gap in pay. Pew Research Center, 9. Web.

Larraz, B., Pavía, J. M., & Vila, L. E. (2019). Beyond the gender pay gap. Convergencia, 26(81). Web.

Miller, K., & Vagins, D. J. (2018). The simple truth about the gender pay gap. American Association of University Women.

Gender and Sexuality: Essay Introduction

Human beings live in a world which is characterized by a variety of preferences and opinions about various facets of life. For instance, people hold different views and opinions about certain aspects of life, such as attitudes towards a given orientation in life. These different opinions impose some limitations to the study beforehand. In order to obtain a clear explanation of these differences, firstly we need to establish the exact meaning of the world culture.

Hofstede defines culture as the collective programming of the human mind that distinguishes members of the human group from each other. This definition brings out the fact that cultural orientations are different and they vary from place to place. What comes out from this definition is that culture is learned. Culture represents a link between our past and future generations, which we come from. This invariably implies that the way we perceive our sexual orientation is a total sum of what the society has made us to be (Ortner, 1981). Researchers agree that gender expectations vary across cultures, as much as understandings of our sexual orientation, which imposes a limitation on the study of gender and sexuality.

Gender and Sexuality: Essay Main Body

The study of gender and sexuality has observed debates, which lead to the conclusion that there are two dimensions with regard to gender and sexuality. These dimensions are the biological essentialism versus social constructionist. This happens because scholars have observed that gender and sexuality appear to be fluid concepts . This had specific implications of the general outlook of the gender and sexuality subject. Essentially, this has led to the view that gender and sexuality should not just be viewed as a biological reality. Instead, constructionists have perpetuated the notion that sexual identities are the product of the society which brings a major limitation, when it comes to studying this subject.

According to this debate, there is a gap that has been brought about by the conflict in terms, which have been utilized. Essentially, this has been caused by the fact that the majority of the people have the tendency to look at gender and sexuality in terms of black and white. This at times is usually at loggerheads. Eventually, this would pose to be a major limitation in the study. Furthermore, owing to the rapid changes and transformation, which took place in this century, there had been a shift with regard to sexual orientations. For instance, the concept of homosexuality, which had arisen in the mid nineteenth century, transformed certain acts of sexuality into a certain form of sexual identity (Rust, 1992).

Although anatomy and physiology explain the biological bases of human sexuality, most peoples sexual experiences also involve beliefs, thoughts, feelings, and social behaviors. The way how we behave either as male or female is a direct product of what the society has trained us to think and behave with regard to our sexuality. The roles which are derived from our social orientation with regard to our aspect of sex are referred to gender. Gender roles refer to a collection of attitudes and behaviors that are considered to be normal and appropriate in a given culture (Samovar, Porter, & McDaniel, 2008). It is also important to note that out of these roles certain inclinations, which are related to our sexuality in light of the society, are created. The gender roles establish sex-related behavioral expectations, which people are expected to fulfill, being normally fashioned about the age of two years.

Gender and Sexuality: Essay Conclusion

In conclusion, it is important to note that gender socialization is understood as a complex psychological and social construction, but not as a simple extension of anatomically based reproductive capacities or brain physiology. This implies that we eventually obtain the roles, which we tend to play in the society based on the social environment, where we find ourselves earlier in life. However, in spite of all cultural changes that currently take place, there are still a lot of things that should be done in line with the subject of gender and sexuality.

References

Anita, J. & Schwarzbaum, E. (2010). Culture and Identity: Life Stories for Counselors and Therapists (2nd ed.). California: SAGE.

Bohan, J. S. (1996 ). Psychology and sexual orientation: coming to terms. New York: Routledge.

Gordon, E., Eric, G., & Kelli, M. (2000). Essentials for health and wellness (2nd ed.). California: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Hofstede, G. H. (2003 ). Cultures consequences: comparing values, behaviors, institutions, and organizations across nations. New York: SAGE.

Ortner, S. B. (1981). Sexual meanings, the cultural construction of gender and sexuality. Cambridge: CUP Archive.

Rust, Paula C. The Politics of Sexuality: Sexual Attraction and Behavior among Lesbian and Bisexual Women. Social Problems 39.4 (1992): 366-86.

Samovar, L. A., Porter, R. E., & McDaniel, E. R. (2008 ). Intercultural Communication: A Reader. California: Cengage Learning.

Children learn about attitudes, behaviors, and social expectations that society has for them, depending on their gender, a process referred to as gender socialization. Gender refers to the different characteristics concerning the femininity and masculinity of a person that influence a persons identity. Socialization is the process through which people learn the norms, roles, values, and expectations of their society. Gender socialization and gender roles affect each other and how a child will behave when they grow up. Gender roles refer to behaviors and characters a person is supposed to have depending on their sex. Gender socialization occurs through family, education, peer groups, and mass media. How a person is socialized into a gender role during infancy, early childhood, and middle childhood also affects how gender socialization plays a role in family structure, school, sports, and religion.

Gender socialization is the concept behind examining why males and females behave differently. Gender socialization is influenced by the interactions kids have with their surroundings and the people around them. Although gender socialization is a lifelong process, early and middle childhood are the most important and intense periods of the socialization process (Hoominfar, 2019). This is because it is the period when children learn how to grow into healthy adults and also learn how to act and speak according to their gender. It is also during these periods when kids develop their way of thinking, personalities, and beliefs they grow up with.

Gender socialization begins at birth and progresses with time as one grows up. According to Carter (2014), gender socialization begins at birth, when families treat newborns differently according to their sex. Once a person is born, they are assigned a specific gender that determines how society will relate with them and how they interact as well. This forms the basis of their interactions and what is expected of them in society. This also affects the kind of roles others assign them. From birth, children are told what colors and styles of clothing they wear, what toys they should play with, and how they should act. For example, girls are given dolls to play with while boys are given toy cars for their entertainment. During the earlier stages of life, people use physique, mostly strength, and agility, to describe and talk to boys. Conversely, girls are addressed with affection, expressivity, daintiness, or fragility (Carter, 2014).

This gives children the idea that boys are supposed to be strong while girls should be handled with care as they are perceived to be fragile. Gender socialization teaches men to conceal their feelings because it is seen as feminine. This means that male child from a young age is expected to suppress their emotions as they are viewed as a sign of weakness.

The different agents used in gender socialization help with its spread. Schools and peers are the main interactions for kids to learn socialization. In middle childhood, children start going to school, where they learn gender socialization with their age mates, teachers, and the curriculum. Using the curriculum, teachers broaden the knowledge kids have while also teaching them values, behavior patterns, and standards using their personal attitudes and behaviors (Hoominfar, 2019). By interrelating with their peers, kids get to build their socializing skills while learning more about their genders and gender roles.

A person can be socialized into a gender through social mass media. What kids watch can greatly influence the first 12 years of life on television. Media is a strong factor in teaching roles and attitudes through the characters (Hoominfar, 2019). Watching how characters interact with each other in a show will likely influence how a kid is going to behave. If a show has good characters and encourages gender equality, it will influence kids to grow up knowing and believing they should be treated equally despite their gender. However, if the show has stereotypical ideas and characters, this will negatively affect the behavior of the child. It is not only socializing the child to think in terms of gender separation, but its encouraging the parent, teacher, and friends of the child towards that same thing.

Gender socialization in a family is viewed from different effect perspectives. According to Carter (2014), traditional research has only focused on four main effect perspectives, the parent effect perspective, the child effects perspective, the reciprocal socialization perspective, and the systemic-ecological perspective. The parent-effect perspective addresses how parents affect their childrens behavior, while the child-effect perspective addresses how the birth of a child focuses on how children socialize with their parents. Reciprocal socialization perspectives examine how both children and parents reflexively socialize. Carter (2014) explains that the systemic ecological perspective considers gender and family socialization as neither a parent-to-child nor child-to-parent process but that all family socialization is embedded in an environment or context that can have a great impact.

Gender socialization plays a role in the family structure in a society. In many cases, a family is structured depending on the roles the parents play. Fathers are viewed as the breadwinners, thus, are the head of the family. Children learn from observing others, and this determines how they will behave. For example, if a family shares the household chores, the kid will grow up with that mentality. The child will grow up knowing that no chores are assigned to a particular gender. If the child observes that only the mother does all the household chores, they are inclined to believe that house chores are meant for girls. The family structure also affects how a child socializes based on how they relate and behave around the child. Children that grow up being treated equally at home will reflect the same behavior as they interact with other kids.

Over the years, some sporting activities were considered better suited for different genders. For example, football was considered a boys game, while ballet was considered to be a girls activity. The division between masculine and feminine sports is strongly culturally constructed (Jakubowska & Byczkowska-Owczarek, 2021). Sports are either labeled for girls or for boys. Typically, boys play was defined by sports activities that demanded strength and fastness, while  less physically demanding activities characterized girls play. This was due to the stereotypical belief that girls are fragile and that football is best suited for boys as they are masculine (Carter, 2014). However, this is changing, and children are allowed to play any game they like, regardless of gender.

Religion creates room for gender socialization, during religious assemblies and functions. During religious services, there are social interactions especially when kids go to their classes for lessons. In these lessons, teachers can teach kids about the different genders and how society expects them to behave. Religious sessions are also a good way to encourage gender socialization between the kids, thus promoting unity and encouraging gender equality.

By bringing together children from different social, cultural and financial backgrounds, religion creates fairness and encourages unity among its members. In most cases, religion tells stories about old times and how the two genders are interrelated. They also give an overview of the roles carried out by the genders in ancient times. They can also be a platform where teachers help children learn positive ideas and attitudes thus encouraging gender socialization and strong beliefs that will help them in the future.

It is clear that gender socialization starts at a very young age and shapes how one will behave as an adult. Gender socialization is important as they teach individuals in society according to cultures and beliefs. It is also important as it helps parents monitor the beliefs their children are learning from society. Gender socialization is important in ensuring society raises Children who understand their roles but also understand not to be exploited or limited during socialization. It also affects how people relate to each other, the roles they believe they should play in the future, and the types of adults in society.

In conclusion, parents should avoid interactions and relations with their kids that might hinder and affect them negatively since they learn from this gender socialization. They should help them learn and understand that they can be whomever they want in the current society. This should be done to ensure that kids go for whatever they want regardless of whether it is portrayed to be gender specific. Family, peer groups, schools, and mass media are the most important agents that internalize and reinforce gender socialization differently.

References

Carter, M. J. (2014). Gender socialization and identity theory. Social sciences, 3(2), 242-263. Web.

Hoominfar, E. (2019). Gender socialization. Gender Equality, 13(1), 1-10. Web.

Jakubowska, H., & Byczkowska-Owczarek, D. (2018). Girls in football, boys in dance. Stereotypization processes in the socialization of young sportsmen and sportswomen. Qualitative Sociology Review, 14(2), 12-28. Web.

Introduction

Gender-based violence is considered to be one of the most persistent issues affecting women around the world, and many literary masterpieces were oriented on the massive spread of this problem. Wirtz et al. (2018) posit that gender-based violence has immediate and long-term consequences, including missed work, poor physical and mental health, out-of-pocket expenses for obtaining therapies, and replacement prices. The existing literature has majored in gender-based violence in the home context, in the form of domestic violence or intimate partner abuse (Watson, 2016). Previous experiences of the gender research were not successfully analyzed, and the flaw of progression was minimal. This global problem has been studied for many years by evaluating the experiences of the past generations. The socio-economic effects of gender-based violence were under-researched, and specialists are reviewing these aspects in more depth. This paper will outline the major problems of Gender-based violence by describing the main types of sex forces and causes of this global issue. Moreover, it will present its effects on peoples lives and how these consequences can be avoided. Every finding is supported by relevant research conducted by specialists in their fields of study.

Overview of Gender-Based Violence

Gender-based violence, wherever it occurs, is a severe impediment to achieving gender justice, endangering democratic development and public health, and standing in the way of attaining sustainable development, economic prosperity, and peace. According to Stanley and Devaney (2017), this violence has a significant impact on development since it mostly affects productive demographic segments. Women are prone to threats in unsafe environments or persecuted because of their race, language, literacy, ethnic group, culture, age, opinion, religion, or minority group membership. In addition, physical, cognitive, and interpersonal effects result from gender-based violence.

Gender-based violence is any form of physical, sexual, mental, social, or economic abuse directed at a person because of their gender. Individuals are categorized according to their gender identity or perceived conformance to socially defined masculine and femininity ideals. According to Stanley and Devaney (2017), threats, coercion, arbitrary restriction of liberty, and economic deprivation are other examples of physical, sexual, and emotional or psychological abuse. Sexual abuse of minors, sex trafficking and forced labor, abuse, domestic violence, and harmful cultural practices such as forced marriage are examples of gender-based violence.

Universally, the rates of gender-based violence are high in developing countries. Beyene et al. (2019) posit that gender-based violence is a serious public health issue that diminishes womens vitality, impairs physical health, and undermines self-esteem. In addition to causing harm, violence increases womens long-term risk of a range of other health conditions, such as physical impairment, drug and alcohol addiction, and despair (Beyene et al., 2019). Women who have experienced sexual abuse are prone to unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted illnesses (STIs). Despite the severe costs, cultures all over the world have created social systems that conceal and deny the abuse. This has played a major role in womens protection.

For many years now, womens advocacy groups across the globe have worked to bring attention to economic distress, physical, psychological or emotional abuse, and sexual abuse of women. Moreover, these females coordination were developing possible solutions (Rai et al., 2019). They have obtained shelters for battered women, lobbied or campaigned for lawful reforms, and challenged conventional attitudes and beliefs that encourage and condone violence against women or gender-based violence. These efforts have yielded and continue to provide favorable results (Rai et al., 2019). Today, global organizations are speaking out in opposition to gender-based violence.

The commitment of governments and interested parties to eradicating gender-based violence is significant. However, the number of cases of gender-based violence remains high (Stanley and Devaney, 2017). There is usually a high rate of gender-based violence in developing countries among both young and old individuals. This has been related to peoples weak morals, a lack of counseling, and significant poverty. Sexual and gender-based abuse is a global challenge that violates human rights. This type of violence is so common that it affects a vast number of women, girls, children, and the rest of the world.

As stated in the UN Secretary Generals comprehensive research on methods of violence against women, gender-based violence inhibits women from contributing to and benefiting from development by limiting their options and ability to act. In addition, governments should be concerned about economic and social growth (Stanley and Devaney, 2017). Thus, reducing poverty and attaining development necessitates a persistent focus on addressing gender-based violence. Without question, investing in enforcing stricter laws, regulations, and behavior change efforts to prevent gender-based violence is critical.

Forms of Gender-Based Violence

Physical Violence

Physical violence is the easiest to recognize due to physical manifestations. Latzman et al. (2018) state that physical bullying, physical assault, beatings, weapon attacks, corporal and other physical punishments are examples of physical violence and abuse. Most instances of physical violence are typically caused by poverty, where parents or guardians cannot provide for the family, infidelity, denial of conjugal rights, and mistreatment by stepparents or guardians among children (Singh et al., 2018). Physical violence frequently results in psychological anguish, death, deformity, and significant injuries on the victims. It is the most recognized form of violence because of the impact on victims.

Sexual Violence

Sexual abuse is another form of gender-based violence which is characterized by sexually violent behavior. Drawing from Wang et al. (2019), assault, inappropriate behavior or sexual harassment at school or work, rape, marital or group rape, defilement and incest, and unauthorized canal knowledge of a woman or girl are all examples of sexual violence. Among the consequences of sexual assault are trauma, sexual infections, low self-esteem, physical harm, and death. Wang et al. (2019) agree that unequal or inconsistent power dynamics characterize these relationships and that the girls should not be viewed as willing participants in the mistreatment. They acknowledge power-based variables such as fear, force, and intimidation as key components used by perpetrators to guarantee victim compliance and quiet.

Economic Violence

Economic violence is another form of gender-based violence that manifests itself through, among other things, neglect, property snatching, rejection of the right to take high position in an organization, and low-paying jobs. Hadi (2017) posits that economic abuse occurs when one partner influences the others monetary holdings. This may involve preventing the companion from engaging in a productive job, advancing their career, or restricting their access to assets (Sabri and Granger, 2018). In addition, it entails taking advantage of the victims financial disadvantage and restricting her access to required resources, making her reliant on the abuser for upkeep, most of their children (Hadi, 2017). Economic violence included restricting access to finances and credit, regulating access to health care, employment, education, and agricultural resources, and removing people from financial decision-making.

Psychological Violence

Gender-based violence is psychological, sometimes known as emotional or mental abuse. It is a significant health, development, and human rights issue in many developing countries. Perreault (2020) states that psychological violence is a purposeful infliction of pain on another person. This violence is viewed as trauma to the victim caused by threats, coercive techniques when there has also been prior physical or sexual assault or prior threat of physical or sexual violence. It usually manifests through humiliation, restricting what the individual can and cannot do, preserving information, purposefully making the victim feel inferior or degraded, and, in some situations, threatening child custody.

In addition, verbal abuse is a type of psychological abuse characterized by language and is essentially a threatening action. This is any verbal interaction that causes emotional harm to a person, frequently causing them to doubt their identity (Perreault, 2020). It is a method of establishing and maintaining power over another person. Criticism, name-calling, blaming, rudeness, and ridicule are examples of aggressive or violent behavior. Less forceful assertions can sometimes be used to falsely accuse or incorrectly blame victims, humiliate or coerce them into submitting unwelcome behaviors (Perreault, 2020). The abuser may exhibit particularly seductive behavior in public to conceal the abuse.

The Causes of Gender-Based Violence

Women who are less educated are more likely to become affected by violence, but males with less education are more likely to inflict violence on their wives. According to Dim and Elabor-Idemudia (2018), womens participation in the development process is hampered by a low level of education, access to, and control of resources. Women are now prone to assault because they do not influence many aspects of their lives. As a result, violence against girls is founded in structural and institutional patriarchy and global unequal or inconsistent power relations (Gill, 2018). It is a side effect of the larger issue of gender equality in the public sphere.

Gender Inequality

Gender violence is aggravated by the persistence of male and female inequalities. According to McFarland et al. (2019), female children from rich and poor homes in rural and urban areas were less likely to attend school as late as 2010. An evaluation of 43 nations shows that 77% of boys and 75% of girls attend primary school. At the secondary level, the trend continues, with 57% of boys and 54% of girls (McFarland et al., 2019). This disparity in education levels and access disadvantages women in accessing socio-economic resources, making them vulnerable to gender-based violence and perpetually dependent on men.

Cultural Norms

Based on physical violence, cultural norms impart in individuals the assumption that a husband has the right to beat his wife to chasten or restrict her. Latzman et al. (2018) state that most incidences of physical assaults against women go unreported. Spouse bashing is also viewed as a husbands sign of love, and conventional counselors encourage women to accept moderate amounts of battering from a male (Latzman et al., 2018). Violence against women is one of the social systems that maintain womens subordination to men. Because of a misunderstanding, some battered wives will suffer the assault to the point of death.

Personality Traits

Personality traits are the most common reason for gender-based violence. Casey et al. (2018) stated violence is usually ascribed to a persons personality and behavior. Low confidence and poor impulse control are two of these personality traits. Because a man preserves his sexual exclusivity, extreme jealously breeds violence. Such men limit their spouses freedom of mobility. Unresolved childhood disputes or conflicts, which may show as violent conduct later in life, are another psychological aspect (Casey et al., 2018). An individuals inability to provide for his family due to low socio-economic status or other conditions may become violent. Another psychological cause of violence is mental illness or dysfunctional behavior.

The Effects of Gender-Based Violence

Domestic violence against women has been a long-standing issue in society. According to Wirtz et al. (2018), women are often perceived as weak, vulnerable, and easily exploited. Violence against women has long been accepted as an unavoidable feature of life. Physical prowess and stature differences contribute to the gender imbalance in domestic violence. Furthermore, in numerous societies around the world, women are socialized into their gender roles (Wirtz et al.,2018). Women in patriarchal societies with stringent gender norms are typically unprepared to protect themselves if their husbands become violent.

Gender-based violence has immediate and long-term consequences, including missed work, poor physical and mental health, out-of-pocket expenses for obtaining therapies, and replacement prices (Wirtz et al., 2018). It also has long-term consequences for outcomes such as the accumulation of education, skills, and experience in the workforce. Gender-based violence happens at the personal, relational, home, public, and social levels. It maintains gender stereotypes that undermine an individuals human dignity and impedes human development by hurting human health, self-esteem, and livelihoods. Therefore, gender-based violence has an adverse impact on people.

Universal concerns such as growing poverty, food insecurity, a lack of education, and other issues cannot be addressed without full dynamic investment or participation of impacted populations and communities, particularly women. McFarland et al. (2019) claim that although much work remains to be done to assess the impact of gender-based violence on livelihoods, available writing and discoveries show that the burden of violence falls on women. There are social, economic, physical, and psychological impact of gender-based violence. For instance, socially, this violence affects a victims ability to accommodate themselves and participate or contribute to the development process. As a result, gender-based violence is the cause of some universal issues such as poverty.

Limits The Right to Education

The impact of human capital on growth has been extensively researched in the literature. There is a lot of evidence that education, as measured by years of schooling, plays an essential role in encouraging economic growth. Gender violence restricts the right to an education, which inhibits ones ability to be a change agent. Economic progress relies heavily on the education of individuals. According to Wirtz et al. (2018), education is a critical component of economic growth since it directly impacts entrepreneurship, substantially impacts productivity, and boosts employment opportunities and womens empowerment. As a result, gender-based violence violates fundamental human rights and impedes community social and economic growth. The macro effects of violence can be characterized as affecting human capital, productivity, and well-being, inextricably linked to economic growth.

Reduces Productivity at Work

All kinds of violence undermine an individuals ability to work and reduce productivity or efficiency. The impact of gender-based violence may be viewed as having a detrimental influence on an individuals involvement in well-being or health, decreasing productivity, and disrupting the complementary relationship between health and education and skill acquisition. According to Wirtz et al. (2018), human capital model, increasing an individuals human capital will improve their performance, resulting in higher wages. This means that since gender-based violence adversely affects individuals, productivity is reduced. Therefore, health can be regarded as both a human resource in and of itself, as well as a contributor to other types of human capital, such as education.

Employee Turnover

Women in violent relationships have a high percentage of job loss and turnover and are frequently asked to resign or be fired. According to Wirtz et al. (2018), discovered that victimized women were less likely to work full-time in the year following a gender-based violence event, limiting their ability to take advantage of opportunities for training or skill enhancement. Survivors of gender-based violence cannot freely participate in community efforts that could improve their lives (Wirtz et al., 2018). In addition, domestic violence prevents women from obtaining a meaningful job, increasing womens unemployment and lowering incomes. It contributes to various challenges affecting women in their professional development.

Social Stigma

Gender-based violence can also contribute to social stigma, adversely affecting a victim. According to Wirtz et al. (2018), social stigma and prejudice may result in psychological trauma, weakness, and inadequacy to engage in productive activities and fully participate in development activities. As a result of their fear of entering into public settings, women who have experienced gender-based violence frequently restrict their access to education, reducing their ability to increase the value and efficiency of their knowledge and skills and limiting their income-generating options. It is particularly heartbreaking to read that some girls have been forced to leave school due to defilement, rape, and frequent sexual harassment, even from teachers.

Inhibits Economic Growth

Most of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals are jeopardized by violence against girls and women. Gender-based violence in the form of economic abuse is frequently accompanied by the removal of resources for those being abused (Morrow, 2018). This reduces womens access to and usage of education and political voice assets, limiting their livelihood opportunities such as entering the labor market. A lack of assets and opportunities contributes to household poverty and, as a result, impedes the attainment of the Millennium Development Goal of eradicating poverty and food insecurity (Morrow, 2018). In addition, violence and linked sexual harassment, child abuse, early marriages, and another mistreatment against children shorten their prospects. Thus, gender-based violence is a hindrance to the achievements of millennial goals.

Domestic gender-based violence has an unstable effect on a countrys GDP. This update on gender-based violence in development programs has substantial economic or financial effects, costing approximately 1.2% of GDP in some nations due to reduced efficiency (Kempen 2019). This cost is equivalent to the average spending on primary education in low and middle-income countries. In addition, gender-based violence also has an underappreciated financial cost in terms of health administration and care, police and legal involvement, and related non-appearance. According to Kampen (2019), gender-based violence is responsible for unproductivity in the workplace due to reduced morale. Therefore, this type of violence is economically damaging because it affects an individual productivity at work.

Conclusion

Gender-based violence is one of the researched issues due to its impact on the victims and community. The existing literature has focused on gender-based violence in the home, domestic violence, or intimate partner abuse. This type of violence affects the achievement of millennial goals, hinders education of victims, reduce productivity in the workplace, and lowers the GDP of a country. Based on this, little has been done to determine gender-based violences social and economic impact. There is a need to determine the socio-economic effects of gender-based violence. Research in this area will assist in determining the impact of gender-based violence on the economic performance of an individual. People should become more educated on the problem of gender violence as this knowledge might positively influence the world, and individuals may become more tolerant.

References

Beyene, Addisu Shunu, Catherine Chojenta, and Hirbo Shore Roba. 2019. Gender-based violence among female youths in educational institutions of Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Systematic reviews 8 (59).

Casey, Erin, Juliana Carlson, Sierra Two Bulls, and Aurora Yager. 2018. Gender transformative approaches to engaging men in gender-based violence prevention: A review and conceptual model. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse 19 (2): 231-246. Web.

Dim, Emeka Eugene, and Patience Elabor-Idemudia. 2018. Prevalence and predictors of psychological violence against male victims in intimate relationships in Canada. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma 27 (8): 846-866. Web.

Gill, Alicia. 2018. Survivor-centered research: Towards an intersectional gender-based violence movement. Journal of family violence 33 (8): 559-562. Web.

Hadi, Abdul. 2017. Patriarchy and gender-based violence in Pakistan. European Journal of Social Sciences Education and Research 4 (4): 297-304.

Kempen, Annalise. 2019. Fighting gender-based violence-teaching our children at home about respect could impact their future behavior. Servamus Community-based Safety and Security Magazine 112 (11): 16-19.

Latzman, Natasha E., Ashley S. DInverno, and Phyllis H. Niolon. 2018. Gender inequality and gender-based violence: Extensions to adolescent dating violence. Adolescent dating violence: 283-314.

Morrow, Karen. 2018. Gender and the sustainable development goals. Sustainable Development Goals: 149-172. Web.

McFarland, Joel, Bill Hussar, and Jijun Zhang. The Condition of Education 2019. National Center for Education Statistics: 23-396.

Perreault, Samuel. 2020. Gender-based violence: Unwanted sexual behaviors in Canadas territories, 2018. Juristat: Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics: 1-26.

Rai, Shirin M., Benjamin D. Brown, and Kanchana N. Ruwanpura. 2019. SDG 8: Decent work and economic growthA gendered analysis. World Development 113: 368-380.

Sabri, Bushra, and Douglas A. Granger. 2018. Gender-based violence and trauma in marginalized populations of women: Role of biological embedding and toxic stress. Health care for women international 39 (9): 1038-1055.

Singh, Mousami, Vijay Kumar, and Raja Rupani. 2018. Acid attack on women: A new face of gender-based violence in India. Indian Journal of Burns 26 (1): 83-86. DOI: 10.4103/ijb.ijb_13_18.

Stanley, Nicky, and Devaney, John. 2017. Gender-Based Violence: Evidence from Europe. Psychology of Violence 7 (3): 329-332.

Wang, Xiangxian, Gang Fang, and Hongtao Li. 2019. Gender-based violence and hegemonic masculinity in China: an analysis based on the quantitative research. China Population and Development Studies 3: 84-97.

Watson, Juliet. 2016. Gender-based violence and young homeless women: Femininity, embodiment and vicarious physical capital. The Sociological Review 64 (2): 256-273.

Wirtz, Andrea L., Nancy A. Perrin, and Amelie Desgroppes. 2018. Lifetime prevalence, correlates and health consequences of gender-based violence victimization and perpetration among men and women in Somalia. British Medical Journal, global health 3 (4).

Introduction

With the development of humanity, the problems of gender interaction in society have become less acute compared to the situation in past eras. Nevertheless, despite the success of the struggle for equality and established moral values, the issue of gender-based violence continues to exist. Women, in this case, are a vulnerable side, although there are cases of violence against men. The most common causes are domestic disagreements that, according to the World Health Organization, account for 38% to 50% of women murdered by their intimate partners (5).

The situation is aggravated by the fact that gender-based violence occurs not only among adults but also among young people, which creates additional difficulties and is a good reason to draw various stakeholders attention. Despite widespread access to information and opportunities to receive help, victims of physical abuse often seek to cope with their challenges individually, and this does not contribute to solving the issue effectively. Gender-based violence is an urgent social problem that affects people of different ages and countries and requires addressing through the creation of an adequate preventive environment and strengthening measures to persecute aggressive citizens successfully.

Global Context of the Problem

As people move towards democratic freedoms and human rights, along with the values of equality and mutual respect, gender-based violence remains a problem in a global context. The situation is aggravated by the fact that, in some world regions, the existing patriarchal foundations do not contribute to creating a favorable environment for dealing with the issue in question. Wood et al. examine the rural region of Tajikistan, the country in Central Asia, and note the distinctive perceptions of violence between men and women, in particular, the empowerment of the male population (1). In such archaic conditions, women are not endowed with an opportunity to fight for their rights, and any manifestations of violence against them are permissible at the level of traditional perception and peoples cultural background.

Another factor proving the global context of the problem under consideration is the economic crisis in many world regions. As Dowd argues, gender-based violence develops where the authorities are more concerned about financial problems than social ones (42). Violence between intimate partners is a consequence of not only social but also economic challenges that impede normal life and are a catalyst for aggression (World Health Organization 5). As a result, women often experience physical abuse while living in poverty because low social status is one of the concomitant factors of violence.

Today, a number of agencies work to strengthen the regulatory framework and publicize the problem at the international level. Simister cites the examples of UNECE, the World Health Organization, and some other organizations that aim to disseminate information about the inadmissibility of gender-based violence (190). As Gerlach notes, with the emergence of the United Nations, the first attempts to reduce pressure on women were undertaken globally and across different social spheres (86). However, given the aforementioned challenges, in particular, economic difficulties and patriarchal canons, the problem has not been resolved until now.

Therefore, in an international context, conducting targeted work to help vulnerable populations and prevent physical abuse has weight as an activity to emphasize the importance of this issue and its urgency in modern society. Notably, the manifestation of violence among young people is an acute problem within the stated topic.

Gender-Based Violence Among Adolescents

Gender-based violence in adolescence is a particularly dangerous phenomenon since the psyche of young people is not formed comprehensively, and physical abuse based on gender can be a stimulus for the development of severe disorders. According to Mathews and Gould, adolescents who have experienced gender-based violence are prone to intellectual disabilities and even chronic illnesses (61). However, despite these threatening prospects, this form of social conflict exists, and individual social constraints exacerbate it.

For instance, Chandra-Mouli et al. state that the percentage of countries with gender gaps in school attendance increases from 37% for primary education to 54% and 77% for lower and upper secondary education, respectively (239). Teenage girls become objects of health-harming acts, and the current social regulations cannot address this issue adequately due to the lack of proper control and sustainable policies to protect vulnerable adolescents.

The existing social norms of some groups can also be a negative driver of gender-based violence in relation to vulnerable adolescents. Sommer et al. remark that gender-based stigma may arise, and what is contrary to modern values in a civilized society may be acceptable in individual communities (155).

As an example, the authors cite the concept of victim-blaming, according to which a girl is initially guilty of committing violence against her due to her overly defiant behavior, appearance, and other controversial factors (Sommer et al. 155). This practice does not fit into modern social norms, which, nevertheless, does not affect the episodic nature of cases of violence. Moreover, according to the World Health Organization, young boys can also be targets of violence from older girls, and precedents exist (21). As a result, stigmatization manifests itself against both genders, albeit unequally.

The need to ensure the protection of vulnerable adolescents from gender-based violence is felt acutely during military conflicts. Etienne gives dire cases of young females abuse by soldiers and notes that such incidents should be regarded as a war crime against humanity and punished to the fullest extent of the law (139). However, even if victims of violence are assisted, they are at risk of developing dangerous mental disorders caused by acute shocks. Ensuring the safety of adolescents from gender-based abuse should be a mandatory practice in a modern democratic world, and this category of the population should be given no less attention than adults. Thus, discussing the ways to mitigate these issues from different perspectives is critical.

Ways to Mitigate the Problem

To provide vulnerable categories of the population with protection from gender-based violence, targeted work should be carried out from an early age. Crooks et al. propose to create special youth programs for primary and secondary school children, which include teaching social interaction skills (31). This practice can be useful as a tool to educate children and adolescents about the dangerous consequences of gender-based abuse, and building healthy behaviors is a valuable outcome of such work.

Maintaining an adequate preventive environment at the international level should be supported by responsible organizations and agencies dealing with social regulations. The World Health Organization offers a special algorithm that includes several stages of targeted work, in particular, joining the efforts of different committees, investing in maintaining a stable regulatory framework, and developing individual community practices (19). The aforementioned problem of the perception of gender-based violence within outdated cultural values can be addressed through the involvement of local representatives to implement corresponding security programs at the regional level. These initiatives may contribute to addressing the issue as effectively as possible while taking into account the characteristics of each population group.

In addition, educating the adult population, as a tool for strengthening preventive work, is no less important aspect than corresponding regulatory decisions. According to Simister, education is an effective form of combating gender-based violence since, despite distinctive deviant features in different communities, the background of the problem is the same  abuse allowance by the gender factor (70). The more often people hear about the inadmissibility of humiliating others honor and dignity, the higher are the chances of reducing the incidence of physical abuse against vulnerable groups. Moreover, through education, stakeholders can not only build but also assess the sustainability of specific measures taken to reduce risks (World Health Organization 21). Therefore, outreach work, complemented by appropriate regulatory constraints, is a valuable practice.

Conclusion

Addressing the issue of gender-based violence by introducing both relevant legal practices and educational projects at different levels is a crucial task due to the dangerous implications of this social problem. Particular attention should be paid to the topic of physical abuse by the gender factor among children and adolescents since their psyche is the most vulnerable, and a number of health problems can develop.

The reasons for gender-based violence can be distinctive, but the main prerequisites for the issue are economic constraints and impaired cultural norms promoted in individual communities. According to Etienne, local groups can educate the population successfully and build an adequate preventive environment (139). At the same time, international organizations activities are also valuable due to the popularization of the issue globally and an opportunity to attract public attention.

Works Cited

Chandra-Mouli, Venkatraman, et al. Addressing Harmful and Unequal Gender Norms in Early Adolescence. Nature Human Behaviour, vol. 2, no. 4, 2018, pp. 239-240.

Crooks, Claire V., et al. Preventing Gender-Based Violence Among Adolescents and Young Adults: Lessons from 25 Years of Program Development and Evaluation. Violence Against Women, vol. 25, no. 1, 2019, pp. 29-55.

Dowd, Douglas. Inequality and the Global Economic Crisis: Douglas Dowd. Pluto Press, 2009.

Etienne, Margareth. Addressing Gender-Based Violence in an International Context. Harvard Womens Law Journal, vol. 18, 1995, p. 139.

Gerlach, Christian. Extremely Violent Societies: Mass Violence in the Twentieth-Century World. Cambridge University Press, 2010.

Mathews, Shanaaz, and Chandré Gould. Preventing Violence: From Evidence to Implementation. ChildGauge, edited by Lucy Jamieson, Lizette Berry, and Lori Lake, University of Cape Town, 2017, pp. 61-67.

Simister, John. Gender Based Violence: Causes and Remedies. Nova Science Publishers, 2012.

Sommer, Marni, et al. How Gender Norms Are Reinforced Through Violence Against Adolescent Girls in Two Conflict-Affected Populations. Child Abuse & Neglect, vol. 79, 2018, pp. 154-163.

Wood, Elizabeth A., et al. Exploring the Differences Between Mens and Womens Perceptions of Gender-Based Violence in Rural Tajikistan: A Qualitative Study. BMC Womens Health, vol. 21, no. 1, 2021, pp. 1-15.

World Health Organization. RESPECT Women: Preventing Violence Against Women. World Health Organization, 2019.

Introduction

Society has been subjected to universally uniform natural surroundings for quite some time, and these tend to follow a definite route. Specifically, in more conservative communities, the natural societal assumption is that people are either male or female and that any other gender presentation is aberrant (Eugenides, 2003). Simultaneously, sexuality and sexual practices follow a similar trajectory, presumably a natural trajectory that mandates sexual attraction between the two sexes. Associating moral dilemmas and ethics with gender and sexuality has helped society establish clear boundaries between the sexes and create norms that appear universally accepted across generations (Eugenides, 2003). This pattern has prompted the worlds religions to guide their adherents on the gender and sexuality pathways they should take to achieve salvation. As a result, society plays a significant part in defining gendered bodies by establishing unspoken rules that instruct expectations regarding individuals of different sex categories and how they should behave.

The family, education, peer groups, and the media are the four primary factors of socialization that contribute to developing a persons gender identity. Each actor contributes to perpetuating gender roles by establishing and upholding normative expectations for gender-appropriate behavior (Kang, 2018). There is also the possibility of exposure through secondary agents, such as ones religion or place of employment. After prolonged and repeated exposure to these agents, men and women develop the mistaken belief that they are behaving naturally rather than adhering to a role that has been socially manufactured for them.

How Societies Construct Gender Identities

Individuals ideas and behaviors are shaped and formed by the norms and expectations of their society. There are naturally two primary sexes, and a community is built along these gender lines. As a result, when genitalia is normal, society uses them to determine a persons gender. The presence or absence of male or female genitalia at birth determines a childs gender from conception. Baby boys and girls have been named differently since the beginning of time to reflect their gender at birth (Eugenides, 2003). Traditionally, male and female names have been assigned to different genders in Western culture.

Historically, there has been a strict division between mens and womens clothing used to construct gender identities. As a part of this framework, the justifiable societal distribution of labor based on gender was established (Eugenides, 2003). The Jewish community adhered strictly to this order, and it was seen as discriminatory whenever a person of the wrong sex was found performing what was traditionally the mens job.

Although there is nothing inherently wrong with being a man or a woman, society has a hard time accepting those who do not conform to these binary gender norms. Confusion reigns whenever a single individual exhibits both hermaphroditic (having both genitalia) and ambisexual (having the opposite genitalia for their body) traits. Most people view anything against the grain of accepted norms as aberrant and pathological (Kang, 2018). As these situations fall below societal standards, they are considered with bias. In extreme cases, family members will resort to measures like surgery to correct a transgender members gender identity. It is impossible to discount social pressures role in shaping peoples gender identities, for better or worse. Due to this action, the issue of gender identity disorder is brought into sharper focus in society.

How Societies Construct Sexual Practices

The degree to which a society is liberal or conservative can significantly impact how sexual practices are constructed. These effects can look very different depending on the group or culture. Individuals in liberal societies are free to engage in any sexual behaviors and practices they choose since liberal societies have more permissive sexual norms (Eugenides, 2003). On the other hand, conservative civilizations approach the topic of sexual activities in the community with caution and tend to adhere to an established order.

Most of the time, urban and rural cultures hold sexual activities and practices in high regard and have designated particular areas for them. Urban and rural areas of todays society engage in very different ways of life from one another. People in cities are generally more open and accepting of alternative sexual identities and behaviors than their rural counterparts (Eugenides, 2003). This can be explained by the idea that city dwellers are more open-minded and less likely to adhere to conventional sexual mores. However, Christian and Jewish groups take a more conservative stance on sexual behavior (Bilu, 2000). Both groups promote chastity and portray sexuality more as a means for procreation than as a means of pleasure.

The debate that naturally arises and is still up for discussion constitutes sexual activity. There are a variety of sexual orientations, each of which is primarily characterized by a departure from the generally acknowledged standards that pertain to sexual behaviors (Kang, 2018). This perception is shaped by the society in which people live and the moral standards associated with various sexual acts. For instance, the gay and lesbian community has helped normalize sexual habits like homosexuality by raising awareness and explaining why being gay or lesbian is normal (Kang, 2018). In addition, they have stepped up their efforts to enlist new members and fight for their legal rights. The media has also been significant in setting the pace for sexual practices by introducing recent trends into society and breaking barriers that previously existed about sexual practices. Furthermore, the media is liberalizing sexual activities that were once considered more conservative.

How Society Constructs Gendered Bodies

Gender itself establishes the gender norm for a given body type. Traditionally, men are thought to have superior muscular strength and stamina levels. Gendered bodies arise due to societys expectations of different sex identities. According to the teachings of the Quran, Muslim communities require females to wear full coverings at all times (Salamandra, 2012). Due to this factor, women are conditioned to walk in a particular way, adopting a gendered stance. Expectations established by society for how members of different sexes should look and behave have a significant impact on the development of bodily types. As a result of the expectations, mans stride in Africa should exude the absolute essence of boldness. This indicates that religion and culture lead to gendered body definition in society.

Men in society are expected to exude confidence and be assertive in all aspects of life. Due to this, men are driven to behave in a specific way in all that they do to live up to this stereotype, which comes in the form of an expectation from society (Bilu, 2000). The creation of gendered bodies can be traced back to societys conception of what constitutes physical attractiveness. This notion of beauty is portrayed on catwalks because it encourages women to imitate the latest fashions by walking in the same manner as the models on the catwalks. That manner of walking is considered attractive. In general, societal expectation leads to how society constructs gendered bodies.

People tend to adopt particular body shapes and movements based on their work, which contributes to the formation of gendered bodies. Soldiers in the armed forces have been taught to walk with a precise gait, and they are required to keep their bodies in a specific state so that they may continue their training (Bilu, 2000). This evidence demonstrates that a societys economic conditions play a role in the construction of gendered bodies that are available in that culture.

Females are socialized to sit with their legs crossed, and their hands clasped. That is what the culture calls good sitting for a woman, and it is what ultimately causes women to take up so little room. On the other hand, men are given greater leeway than women when it comes to where they can and cannot sit (Kang, 2018). In the same way that walking like a woman is not considered strong, walking like a man is not regarded as womanly. These are other factors of how societies construct gendered bodies.

Conclusion

The gendered bodies, gendered activities, and gender identities of individuals are all profoundly impacted by society. The society in which one lives highlights the environment that develops the comprehensive constructions that drive community members towards specific ways of doing things. The importance of the social effect can be determined by the fact that it is responsible for creating a framework approaching standardization that subtly instructs people on how to address specific societal issues.

References

Bilu, Y. (2000). Circumcision, the first haircut and the Torah: ritual and male identity among the Ultra Orthodox community of contemporary Israel. Imagined Masculinities, Male Identity and Culture in the Modern Middle East, London, Saqi Books, 33-64.

Eugenides, J. (2003). Middlesex. Picador/Farrar, Straus, Giroux.

Kang, D. B. (2018). Surfing the Korean wave: Wonder gays and the crisis of Thai masculinity. Visual Anthropology, 31(1-2), 4565. Web.

Salamandra, C. (2012). The Muhannad effect: Media panic, melodrama, and the Arab female gaze. Anthropological Quarterly, 85(1), 4577. Web.

The Ilbert Bill is an essential contribution to the study of women in British Imperial history. It is important because numerous cross-cultural issues are currently the focus of attention. For example, the Ilbert Bill in India was one of the first attempts to eliminate racial discrimination under the Indian Criminal Code. However, it was widely recognized that white women in India contradicted the ideas of Ilbert Bills, while white men with a similar point of view disapproved of their actions.

The British played a unique role in the issue of racial differences that took place in India. They used racism as a means to prove their liberality, as a demonstration of their superiority, and as a legitimization of their rule. Since the establishment of British rule in India, there has been racial tension in political, military, and socio-cultural issues. The monopoly of the Europeans has seized all the highest state institutions. Therefore, the British were given the highest positions, while the Indians were appointed only to lower ones. The British have completely insulted Indian culture, but the debate on the Ilbert Bill led to racial discrimination at the climax. This was especially true of the racism of British women because they were neglected, and Freud sought to restore justice. In turn, the Indians could not resist racial inclinations since they were not endowed with the same rights as others. The British colonists both improved the situation of women and, in some cases, worsened it. Their actions were dictated not by concern for women but by the desire to preserve their financial and political interests in a foreign country. Therefore, Indian women felt betrayed by such behavior but could not oppose it.

This paper focuses on the factors that influence societal engagement on the widespread gender pay gap. The work presents an overview of the problem, its broad consequences for the public and national economy, and the factors such as biases and assumptions that contribute in one way or another to the public perception of the problem. Public awareness and engagement regarding the issue still need to be improved due to communication barriers. This paper presents recommendations for addressing and solving this issue to promote an unbiased discussion and practical cooperation on the gender pay gap problem.

The gender-related payment gap is persistent nationwide and worldwide, affecting the lives of billions directly and indirectly. The perception of this issue by the wider outsider public has been historically hindered due to cultural and sociopolitical biases prevalent in most societies for centuries (Brynin et al., 2017). However, the ongoing development of social media, communication, and societal awareness provide the medium for an exhaustive discussion on the topic. A payment gap is relevant not only in the context of gender but is also associated with age, ethnicity, and disabilities (Miller & Vagins, 2018). Single working mothers are especially vulnerable to the hardships associated with low pay due to the additional duty of care for adolescents. Those familiar with the issue often assume that the gender pay gap only affects an insignificant number of women and that its influence is contained in that demographic. However, addressing the gender pay gap on a systemic level would positively reflect on the well-being of families regardless of their structure while also benefiting the economy. Providing equal pay to women would increase the national budget income by $513 billion yearly (Milli et al., 2017). The ethical and economical factors mentioned above apply to a wide demographic range. It is, therefore, a solid basis for introducing the issue to the public and engaging them in the joint search for and implementation of solutions. Societal awareness and active engagement in eliminating the gender pay gap benefit society on multiple levels: ethical, cultural, and economical.

While the issues relevance is apparent, a lack of awareness and interest in the gender pay gap is persistent. The primary obstacle to wider audience awareness and engagement is a combination of consistent biases arising from a systemic ignoring of the issue, unclear and controversial results of some studies on the topic, and the cultural framework of modern society (Salias & Bagni, 2017). These biases, often unconscious, prevent the outsiders from becoming open to the discussion and critical analysis of the available data. On the other hand, the insiders often lack a wide view of the problem and may not realize their discriminated position. Deep and comprehensive research on the topic providing easily approachable and interpretative results is necessary to create an effective, engaging model and to communicate the importance of the gender pay gap problem more effectively.

The expected outcome of a more comprehensive public engagement strategy is to inform the broader audience about the effects of gender-based pay inequality on society. This perspective is often missing from the discussion, and introducing it may increase the public demand for changes in relevant economic and legal policies. A broad discussion involving both emics and etics is vital for developing effective communication and cooperation on a joint search for potential solutions for the pay gap issue and is equally essential for their gradual implementation.

References

Brynin, M. (2017). The gender pay gap. Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). Web.

Miller, K., & Vagni D. J. (2018). The simple truth about the gender gap. American Association of University Women. Web.

Milli, J., Huang, Y., Hartmann, H., & Hayes, J. (2017). The impact of equal pay on poverty and the economy. Washington: Institute for Womens Policy Research. Web.

Salias, P. C., Bagni, C. (2017) Gender equality from a European perspective: Myth and reality, Neuron, 96(4), 721729.

Gender-based violence is any harm done to a person or group of persons because of their actual or perceived sex, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Any act of gender-based violence, whether public or private, causes or is likely to inflict bodily, sexual, or psychological pain or suffering to women, including threats of such actions, coercion, or arbitrary loss of liberty. Gender-based violence is motivated by a desire to humiliate and make a person or group feel inferior or submissive and is based on a power imbalance.

The violence is deeply ingrained in societys social and cultural institutions, habits, and beliefs, and it is usually perpetrated through the use of technology. As Suzor et al. (2018) illustrated, gender-based violence can take many forms, ranging from verbal hostility and hate speech on the Internet to rape or murder. A former spouse or a current, a family member, a co-worker, schoolmates, friends, an unknown individual, or someone acting on behalf of cultural, religious, state, or intra-state institutions can all perpetuate it. This essay covers a gender-based violence practice against women, in particular, the rising rape cases in South Africa.

Rape is defined broadly under South Africas judicial system. Moreover, it comprises oral, anal, or vaginal penetration of a persons mouth with an animals sexual organs and anal or vaginal penetration with any item. In the 2019/20 fiscal year, the police recorded 42,289 rapes, up from 41,583 in the previous fiscal year (Banda, 2020). The data equates to an average of 116 rapes every day reported to the police (Banda, 2020). The ISS has cautioned that police rape data are not an accurate indicator of either the extent or trend of this crime.

The findings supports my rationale for focusing on rape, a well-known form of gender-based violence in South Africa that affects young women. The steady rise in violence against women has become one of the most visible and destructive vestiges of this complicated history, intensified by apartheids aggression, the social consequences of the migrant labor force, and patriarchal authoritys impact. Sexual assault was used to maintain control, submission, and interracial compliance during the colonial era and the apartheid era.

The act is the most heinous kind of gender-based violence that exists. Hence, it is critical to endorse stringent policies to combat the steady surge of rape cases in South Africa. Several rape cases were recorded from January to March 2021, the data represents a 387-case decrease over the same period in 2020 (Banda, 2020). The number of rape cases documented at that time, according to one gender activist, illustrates how little is being implemented in the country to fight GBV. More than 2 000 people have reported rape cases in Gauteng since the beginning of the year, ranking it as the countrys economic hub the top province for verified rapes in South Africa.

After critical analysis, it is clear that South Africa is a society riven with deep contradictions, especially between the pledges of the legislation and the reality of modern life. Legislation is a step forward, but official legal reform is merely the beginning. Implementing tools for cultural change is critical, yet changing a societys culture is not simple. Because of the apartheid heritage, sexual violence remains rampant; nonetheless, the legal elimination of apartheid did not eliminate the institutions that held society in check. Violence continues to be a part of many peoples lives, particularly womens lives. The system of government and its institutions, such as the police force, have established sexual violence as a social standard rather than making genuine efforts to counteract it, resulting in the continuation of sexual violence.

Most research on rape researcher has emphasized that historical studies of sexual violence against women are crucial. In that regard rape is seen as not only a severe problem that needs to be addressed but also as a vehicle for exploring bigger issues of gender-based violence. Insight into significant historical themes can be gained through research into rape in South Africa.

Three hypotheses have dominated the rape debate since the 1970s. Rape theories are classified as Feminist, Social Learning, and Biological (Kukkaje, 2019). Despite their popularity, these ideas have proven ineffective in describing the South African reality because of their western focus. The principles of Feminist Theory and Social Learning theory, on the other hand, have informed my view of rapes origins. According to the Feminist theory, rape is the product of ancient and profound entrenched social practices, in which males have dominated all critical political and economic activities practically. According to the theory, women have been barred from gaining social and economic power in society. As a result, theyve been labeled as unequal.

Men commit domination and reinforce womens subordination through physical violence, known as women rape. Donnerstein and Malamuths Social Learning Theory, the notion emphasizes the role of cultural variables in understanding rape (Fritz, et al., 2020). This perspective contends that rape is a taught habit influenced by culture and a societys prevalence of violence. As a result, images of sex and violence, often known as rape myths and desensitization to these effects, all play a part in forming rape culture. The third rape theory, as exacerbates that aggressive sexual conduct by males is a response to natural selection and the drive to reproduce (Baumeister, 2018). Accordingly, aggressive copulatory methods are an extreme reaction to natural selection pressure for men to be pushier in their attempts to copulate than females. Both the Feminist and Social Learning theories may be applied to the rape epidemic in South Africa. The identification of a gender hierarchy in feminist theory applies to male-dominated townships. Due to their marginalization as citizens, women have had little social or political authority in these areas.

Survivors experience diverse negative impacts of sexual assault; there is no list of typical symptoms they should exhibit. What is shared is that such effects are profound, affecting the physical and mental health of victims/survivors and their interpersonal relationships with family, friends, partners and colleagues. More than this, the impacts of sexual assault go beyond the individual to have a collective effect on the social wellbeing of our communities.

There are a variety of effects on humans, the most significant of which are psychological and emotional repercussions. Sexual assault has been linked to various short- and long-term mental and emotional impacts (Voth et al, 2018). Thus, it is usual to have symptoms like extreme dread of death and detachment during an assault. These are normal bodily reactions. The fact that terror paralyzed the victim does not indicate she consented to the attack. After a case of rape, the most common reactions are anxiety and acute terror. As a result of sexual assault, many people are afraid of catching HIV/STIs and becoming pregnant. Sexual assault can lead to fears of future attacks and other damage. This presumption is shattered if the victim/survivor has previously regarded the world as essentially a secure place.

The trauma response model and the clinical diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have aided in recognizing the gravity of the pain inflicted on those who have been sexually assaulted and the scope of the violation they have endured. Not every woman who has been sexually assaulted suffers from physical damage or medical issues. Sexual assault, on the other hand, can result in a wide range of physical damage and health effects. Injuries might occur as a direct result of the assault, subsequent problems, or psychological harm. For sure victims of penetrative sexual assault, physical consequences might include injury to the urethra, vagina, and anus; gastrointestinal, sexual, and reproductive health issues; pain syndromes; and eating disorders, including bulimia nervosaincreased risk of sexually transmitted illnesses such as HIV/AIDS, unintended pregnancy, and abortion decisions. Irritable bowel syndrome, chronic diseases like diabetes and arthritis, headaches, and gynecologic symptoms like dysmenorrhea, pain or cramps in the lower abdomen during menstruation, menorrhagia (abnormally heavy or prolonged bleeding during menstruation), and sex-related issues are just a few examples.

People who have been sexually abused have lower self-esteem than those who have never been sexually abused. Sexual assault can affect how the victim/survivor interacts with family, friends, and the community at large. Following a sexual assault, interpersonal connections with intimate partners and friendships and familial interactions can be impacted. Communication problems, intimacy issues, trust issues, sexual relations issues, and the pleasure of social activities can all be harmed. Overprotectiveness on the victim might also be a problem due to avoidance of social interactions and feelings of poor self-worth and self-doubt. Family, friends, and partners reactions might assist or harm the situation. The victims survivors Negative emotions can lead to avoidant coping strategies linked to a lower recovery success rate, but supportive reactions can help in recovery and healing.

Sexual assault has ramifications for the victims partner, children, family, and friends, as well as the larger community: A sexual assault and its aftermath can affect non-perpetrator family members, partners, acquaintances, and children of victims/survivors; these persons are frequently referred to as secondary victims. Secondary victims often suffer from the impacts of trauma, with symptoms that are sometimes comparable to those experienced by primary victims, and knowledge of a traumatic incident experienced by a significant other is painful in and of itself  this is secondary trauma.

Even though it is impossible to put a monetary number on the trauma inflicted by sexual assault, it is crucial to recognize that the victim and the wider community bear financial expenses. Loss of actual wages, future earning potential, medical expenditures; intangible costs (loss of quality of life, sorrow, and suffering); and counseling fees are just a few examples. The victim frequently incurs such expenses and costs; nevertheless, the whole community bears the consequences of sexual assault, both financial and non-financial. In each state and territory, monetary compensation may be offered through the relevant organization. Furthermore, details, connections, and information may be found. Rapists psychological reasons are more complicated than previously imagined. They might include the urge to punish, exact vengeance, inflict pain, demonstrate sexual prowess, or exert control via terror.

Mann, 2021, compares rape victims to those who are in excruciating pain but cant help themselves. The juxtaposition of animal predation with routine sexual assault begs the question of how a reaction reserved for deadly, no-way-out conditions in animals is present in modes of violation when the victim does not report fear of death or serious bodily damage.

Many people experience remorse after witnessing rape victims. They visualize their counterparts agony, making them fearful of being in a similar circumstance. Furthermore, they have a variety of psychological reactions, but they frequently involve feelings of guilt, humiliation, uncertainty, fear, and wrath. Victims often describe a pervasive sensation of filth, an inability to feel clean, an overpowering sense of vulnerability, and a paralyzing sense of powerlessness over their life. Many people are terrified of returning to the crime scene, being followed, and having any sexual connections. Others have sleep or food routines that have been disrupted for a long time or cannot perform at work.

For the record, eliminating violence against young women and girls requires a multi-pronged, community-based strategy as well as ongoing interaction with a wide range of stakeholders, such as everyones participation. In order to be most effective, violence prevention initiatives must address underlying risk factors for violence, such as gender roles in society and societal tolerance for violence. If we do not address this issue now, we will incur significant costs in the future. Children who grow up in a violent environment are more likely to become future survivors or perpetrators of violence, according to numerous research.

References

Banda, Z. J. (2020). A survey on gender-based violence  The paradox of trust between women and men in South Africa: A missiological scrutiny. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 76(1). Web.

Baumeister, H. (2018). Theories and legislative histories of war rape and forced marriage. Sexualised Crimes, Armed Conflict and the Law, 4381. Web.

Fritz, N., Malic, V., Paul, B., & Zhou, Y. (2020). A descriptive analysis of the types, targets, and relative frequency of aggression in mainstream pornography. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 49(8), 30413053. Web.

Kukkaje, M. (2019). Violence against women: A review of literature with reference to men perpetrators. Artha  Journal of Social Sciences, 18(1), 112. Web.

Mann, B. (2021). Rape and social death. Feminist Theory. Web.

Suzor, N., Dragiewicz, M., Harris, B., Gillett, R., Burgess, J., & Van Geelen, T. (2018). Human Rights by design: The responsibilities of social media platforms to address gender-based violence online. Policy & internet, 11(1), 84103. Web.

Voth Schrag, R. J., & Edmond, T. E. (2018). Intimate partner violence, trauma, and mental health need among female community college students. Journal of American College Health, 66(7), 702-711. Web.