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Gender, Religion and Caste-1

The document discusses the impact of gender on politics, highlighting the traditional public/private division that marginalizes women's roles in political spheres. It outlines societal perceptions of an ideal woman, which prioritize domestic roles and discourage public engagement, contributing to women's underrepresentation in politics. Efforts such as reservation in local governments and global movements aim to enhance women's political representation, though challenges remain in achieving equality in higher political offices.

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jayashivamahalingam
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29 views2 pages

Gender, Religion and Caste-1

The document discusses the impact of gender on politics, highlighting the traditional public/private division that marginalizes women's roles in political spheres. It outlines societal perceptions of an ideal woman, which prioritize domestic roles and discourage public engagement, contributing to women's underrepresentation in politics. Efforts such as reservation in local governments and global movements aim to enhance women's political representation, though challenges remain in achieving equality in higher political offices.

Uploaded by

jayashivamahalingam
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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CBSE-10 Social Science Gender and politics

Public/private division
Perceptions of an ideal woman
Women’s political representation

Gender, Religion and Caste

Gender and Politics


The chapter emphasizes that gender is a significant social division, with societal norms
often assigning distinct roles to men and women. Traditionally, men are associated with
public spheres like politics and work, while women are linked to private domains such as
home and family. This division has led to:
 Sexual Division of Labour: A system where women are either responsible for all
domestic work or manage it through domestic helpers. This reinforces the notion that
household responsibilities are inherently women's duties.
 Political Mobilization: Over time, women worldwide have organized movements to
demand equal rights, including voting rights and improved educational and career
opportunities. Some movements have also sought equality in personal and family
life.

Public/Private Division
The distinction between public and private spheres has historically marginalized women's
roles in politics:
 Public Sphere: Associated with politics, paid work, and decision-making,
predominantly occupied by men.
 Private Sphere: Linked to home and family care, traditionally managed by women.
This separation has often been used to justify the exclusion of women from political
participation, under the pretext that their primary responsibilities lie within the household.

Perceptions of an Ideal Woman


Societal norms have perpetuated specific ideals for women:

Page 1 of 2
CBSE-10 Social Science Gender and politics
Public/private division
Perceptions of an ideal woman
Women’s political representation

 Domestic Roles: Emphasis on being nurturing mothers and dutiful wives,


prioritizing family over personal ambitions.
 Limited Public Engagement: Discouragement from participating in politics or
public decision-making, reinforcing the belief that women are less suited for
leadership roles.
These perceptions have contributed to the underrepresentation of women in various fields,
including politics.

Women's Political Representation


Despite challenges, there have been efforts to enhance women's participation in politics:
 Reservation in Local Governments: In India, constitutional amendments have
mandated that a certain percentage of seats in local government bodies be reserved
for women, leading to increased female representation at the grassroots level.
 Global Movements: Internationally, various movements have advocated for
women's rights, resulting in increased political participation and representation in
some regions.
However, women's representation in higher political offices remains limited, and
continuous efforts are necessary to achieve gender equality in politics.

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