Question

why is it important that we question naturalized assumptions about gender? Give an example of a naturalized assumption about gender that has changed over time or is different in different cultures.

Answer 1

Right from our childhood, we are surrounded by gender roles that dictate how we should behave as adults. We are taught, explicitly and implicitly, expected patterns of thought and behaviour that conform to our gender. Although rigid gender assumptions are now changing, history serves as a testimony to the fact that gender norms have more or less favoured one gender type over the other. Had this system been left unchallenged, progress towards gender equality would never have been made. In order to carry on towards this path, it is important that we keep questioning gender assumptions, that appear to be naturalised to us but are infact the result of socialisation. For instance, a century ago, women entering the workforce was not a common phenomenon but today we are seeing more women in the public sphere.