Definition of Gender

Gender is an illusive term that defies clear cut definition. There are many definitions of gender, such as (Woods, 2007, p, 318) interpretation that gender ‘‘is a symbolic construction that expresses the meanings a society confers on biological sex’’. Wood further states that different cultures and societies and even communities have varied definition of gender.
 

According to (Carter, 2004, p, 348) use the term gender for ‘‘meaningful ways to discuss men and women, and differences between women and men’’. The concept of gender to differentiate between the two sexes, male and female, but they also emphasise the importance of social construction (Haywood, 2003, p, 153).  Gender is a ‘‘social process of dividing up’’ individuals and social practices with reference to sexual identities that are masculine or feminine. He adds that gender identity from the one devalues or undermines the other. According to (Squires, 1997, p, 12) considers gender an acceptable academic and colloquial term for the analysis of social and sexual relations between men and women.
 

Gender refers to the ways we describe human beings based on ideas about being female and ideas about being male. Gender refers to the concepts of feminity and masculinity which have been shaped by our societies, traditions, religions, families and education. Whereas biological sex refers to how we are constructed physically, gender refers to the social construction of men and women.
 

According to (Carter & Steiner, 2004, p, 347) feminism is a political philosophy and social-political movement it is marked by an emancipatory concern to explain and overcome sub ordination and oppression of all kinds. Whereas masculinity as a social construct; masculinity is socially, culturally and historically constructed (Connell, 2000, p, 16; Beasley, 2005, p, 178).
 

Masculinists, or academics working in the field of men’s studies, sometimes believe that is men who are victimized and oppressed, and thus seek ‘‘to preserve men’s freedom from women and feminization. Men have traditionally been less involved in gender movements because historically they have always had the advantage, benefiting enormously from patriarchy (Woods, 2007, p, 319).
 

SOURCES CONSLUTED.

1. Beasley, C. 2005. Critical theories, critical thinkers: Gender & sexuality. London: Sage.

2. Carter, C. & Steiner, L. (eds) 2004. Critical readings: Media and gender. England: Open University Press.

3. Squires, J. 1997. Gender and Sexuality: Critical Theories,     Critical Thinkers: London Sage.

4. Woods, J, T. 2007. Gendered lives: Communication, gender and culture. Belmont, USA: Thomson Wadsworth.