Gender I

Back to: SOCIAL STUDIES JSS2

 

WEEK SIX

 

Welcome to Class !!

We are eager to have you join us !!

In today’s Social Studies class, We will be discussing Gender. We hope you enjoy the class!

 

 

TOPIC: GENDER I

 MEANING OF GENDER

Gender is the state of being male or female. Gender also refers to the sum total of cultural values, attitudes roles, practices and characteristics based on sex.

Gender Similarities

Both males and females are similar in the following ways:

1. They are all human beings with feeling emotions, needs and desires
2. Apart from the genitals, they have similar body parts.
3. The essential needs of males and females are food, clothing and shelter.
4. They both go through puberty and share romantic feelings.
5. They all have goals they intend to achieve.
6. They can all play different games.

 

Gender Differences

MALES

1. Males are the breadwinner of the family.
2. Males are the dominant partner in a relationship.
3. Males are disciplinarians.
4. Males dominate certain professions like engineering, security, piloting, boxing, politics etc.
5. Males are expected to determine when to have sexual relations

 

FEMALES

1. Females dominate certain professions such as nursing, teaching, hairdressing etc.
2. Females are the caretakers of children.
3. Females are responsible for general house chores.
4. Females make themselves physically attractive.
5. Females are to wait for a male to initiate relationships and sexual advances.

 

Evaluation Questions

1. Define gender.
2. What are the similarities between males and females gender?
3. Identify the differences between males and females gender.

 

Meaning and Examples of Gender Roles.

Gender roles refer to the behaviours considered appropriate for males or females in a culture or society. Gender roles are taught from birth to death. Changes in gender roles could be as a result of religion, politics, economic conditions, laws and education.

 

Examples of Gender Roles

1. Some gender roles are biologically determined. For instance, the roles of males and females in childbearing are determined by nature. The females menstruate, carry the pregnancy, breastfeed babies while the males impregnate the females.
2. Some professions are regarded specially for males e.g. block moulding, bricks laying, carpentry, tanker, and lorry driver etc. some professions are regarded specially for females e.g. nursing, hairdressing etc.
3. Males can perform manual jobs such as the construction of roads and drainages, truck pushing etc. while females take care of domestic duties.
4. Males are often the head of the family which means they dictate what is to be done. Women should raise the children since they carry and deliver their babies.
5. Women are regarded as the cooks in their homes while the men are to provide the money needed to purchase the foodstuffs.

 

 

Factors That Influence Gender Roles

1. Culture, traditions and beliefs of the people influence gender roles.

Examples:

Males

1. 1. In some families, males are given more privileges in terms of education, important jobs and inheritance of property.
   2. Some professions are regarded as an exclusive career for males.
   3. Males can perform manual jobs while females take care of domestic duties.

 

Females:

1. 1. Women should raise the children since they carry and deliver their babies.
   2. Females are regarded as cooks in their families.
   3. Some professions are regarded as an exclusive career for females.

 

2. Parental Influence: Parental influence gender roles as they may serve as role models to their children. Some parents advice their children on the courses and professions they will pursue in life. A child may also observe what his or her parents are doing and try to imitate them.

 

3. Biological Influence: Women menstruate, carry the pregnancy and breastfeed babies while the males impregnate the women.

4. Peer Group Influence: Peer groups can have a positive and negative influence on children and youths. The youths and children oftentimes seek guidance and counselling from their peers instead of their parents.
5. Media Influence: The media e.g. Radio, television and newspapers tend to have both positive and negative influence on children and youths. The media in the course of passing information and through entertainment moulds and shapes the behaviours of children and the youths.

6. Educational Influence: School academics and activities also influence gender roles. Females are more likely to study courses such as nursing, food and nutrition, catering etc. while males are more likely to study courses such as engineering, building, architecture etc.

 

Evaluation Questions

1. Give the meaning of gender roles with examples.
2. Mention the factors that influence gender roles.

 

General Evaluation / Revision Questions:

1. Define a group.
2. What are the benefits of group behaviour?
3. List and explain the types of corruption.
4. Mention the government agencies that fight corruption in Nigeria.
5. What are the roles of government agencies that fight corruption?

 

 

Reading Assignment

Solakat New Syllabus on Social Studies book 2 by A. Oluwasola Oyewole. Pages 91 – 95.

 

Weekend Assignment

1. The following are gender similarities except A. males and females have the same genitals B. the essential needs of both males and females are the same C. they both go through puberty and romantic feelings D. they can play different games.
2. All the following professions are regarded as male professions except A. bricklaying B. carpentry C. nursing D. lorry drivers
3. Which of the following is regarded as the role of females in the home? A. head of the family B. women proposes marriages to men C. women perform manual jobs D. women are cooks in the homes.
4. One of these is not a factor that influences gender roles. A. television B. market C. parents D. educational curriculum.
5. The following are biological roles of women except A. women menstruate women carry pregnancy C. women breastfeed D. women do manual jobs

 

Theory

1. Mention five gender similarities.
2. What are the factors that influence gender roles?

 

 

We have come to the end of this class. We do hope you enjoyed the class?

Should you have any further question, feel free to ask in the comment section below and trust us to respond as soon as possible.

In our next class, we will be talking about Gender and Stereotypes. We are very much eager to meet you there.

 

Get more class notes, videos, homework help, exam practice on Android [DOWNLOAD]

Get more class notes, videos, homework help, exam practice on iPhone [DOWNLOAD]