Question

How the Idea of Gender, sexuality ,race and social class changed over time?

(for sociologists or psychologists)

Answer 1

The world from the inception, has maintained various differences in terms of race, class, caste, etc. As the society progressed, it had to go through lots of transformations but everything had its own struggle. The right to equality in society, education, property, voting, gender freedom all grew as the society itself was becoming more civilized. In this respect, most of the countries were uncivilised until the 1950s, especially America.

Gender inequality was one of the oldest practice of all the societies. Women were considered to be child bearing machines and pleasure center for fulfilling the sexual desires of men. The right to property, education, voting etc. were dreams of every women right from the beginning. Although women have achieved most of the rights which they didn't enjoy until the 19th century, they still struggle with wage inequality and sexual harassment at the work place and in the society.

There were only two genders in most of the countries and the rest were considered as immoral and unnatural. But the humanitarian thoughts in the 20th century helped people choose whatever sexuality they want to such as male, Female, gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transexual. The sexual orientation has also become more liberal.

Race is yet another issue which was something similar to a superstition which projected race superiority based on certain physical elements such as genes, Color etc. Today, most people who held those beliefs are disgraced by the scientific research which proves otherwise. There is no connection between intelligence and race but anyone who is brought up in a certain environment with the necessary support can achieve excellence. So, race has also lost its significance or has received a new meaning which is just a genetic classification.

Almost all the countries were ruled by few minority people who controlled most of the resources and exploited the common man. These people lived a lavish life while the common man struggled for a loaf of bread. At one point of time, people rise against their oppression and brought down thus bringing people's representatives rule. The class struggle today continues in a different way but not that cruelly as it used to be.