Gender equality is a myth or reality
 

Please evaluate the outline

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myth

Rather than focusing upon the medical/physical differences between the two genders (the concept is in the domain of sex anyways), focus on the sociological make up of the concept--look at what the question is asking you? Are people from different genders equal in terms of their status in present-day society? I would say no. I would then move to to give reasons from sociological, economic, political and historical perspectives, bring in religion and its dictates on the matter and relate it all to the current situation in my country and the world over. Focusing on just the medical aspects not only drives the life out of your essay but will also make it apparent to the examiner that you have given this interpretation to the topic, based on your knowledge in the specific field. Do not ever do that in an essay----be focused but at the same time, be holistic, especially in your take in an argumentative essay.

[QUOTE=mhz99;673723]Please evaluate the outline

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Dear, i believe you have attempted this essay in biological terms purely. Understand the meaning of Gender.

Gender in itself is nothing but a projection of a particular sex. For example: If i say Brave, what does come into your mind? Most of the people would say, "Man". There would be far and few who might come up with a "Lady". Although technically speaking, a lady can be as brave or even more-brave than a man.

So the point is, Gender is what is perceived of a sex in a particular society. Try to solve this Essay on those lines.

A tip to solving Essays (in light of my experiences and with example)

Lets take the following 3 titles:

1- Can women be equal to men in Pakistan? (2010 attempt)
2- Discuss the Socio Economic Rights of women in Islam (2012- do not remember the exact wording of the title- apologies)
3- Gender Equality is a Myth

Analyzing (1)

Can (So this is a question- the conclusion of the Essay must have a definite Answer: Yes/No) Women (weaker sex, the better part, the better half etc) be Equal (Equality in what terms? Equality in terms of sanctity of life, dignity, access to medical opportunities etc) in Pakistan (just Pakistan! Forget about Islam, Hinduism, West, East. It is just Pakistan).

Hope that makes sense! Obviously when you discuss Pakistan and women's equality, both Islam and the West play their roles. But that would certainly not mean that 3/4th of your Essay occupies the status of Women in Islam and how our Holy Prophet SAW was nice to our Mothers of Faith (RA).

Discuss the Socio Economic Security of Women in Islam (This is self evident)

Gender (What is a gender? in simple terms, this is how a sex is perceived in a society. Gender varies! it is not static. The women of yesterday was perceived in a different manner than what she is perceived as today. Explain the difference between a gender and a sex) Equality (Again the same portion as 2010 with addition that how it is calculated or how it can be calculated. There are various indexes and they tell us about the state of Women Equality throughout the Globe) is a myth (A Myth is something that does not exist and is wrongly reported. It is certainly not a myth. There are instances where women are more empowered while there are others where they are least empowered. Obviously since nobody is perfect therefore we don't have a perfect equality. But the absence of a perfect example does not permit us to rule it out absolutely. If there is variances in Equality indexes throughout the world, it definitely means that equality exists)

Once you decode the statement, the rest of the essay becomes easy. You can give the outline any shape. In fact, if a candidate has prepared for (1), he should be able to do (2) and (3) without any worry because the facts remain the same only the space that these facts occupy vary from case to case (in one example Islam deserves the primary attention, in the other gender for instance)

P.S the fact that I used "he should be able to do" shows the Gender biased-ness prevailing around us. He/She was the appropriate way to make my point :)

What should be included in this essay? Illustration of gender equality being a myth/reality or reasons of it being a myth/reality

Just a brief intro may be like this...plz comment
 

:shyGender equality is limited to theoretical writings ..practically it is a rare commodity. From third world countries to developed ones, gender discrimination is being practiced under the banner of social values, customs and religious and historical reasons. Situation is worse in less developed nations as compared to developed ones. Similarly, gender inequality is prevalent at homes, offices and other public places in Pakistan. Pakistani society is characterized by a male dominated structure in almost every sphere of life. Furthermore, the extent of gender discrimination varies in Pakistani society depending on the social and economic developmental level of its individuals. Even the greatest champion of gender equality will sometime find himself practicing gender discrimination in his life time in one or the other way. The basic logic, behind the failure of gender equality campaigns all over the world, might be the undermining of inherent differences in the biology and psychology of the two opposite sexes.

[QUOTE=mhz99;674361]What should be included in this essay? Illustration of gender equality being a myth/reality or reasons of it being a myth/reality[/QUOTE]

Lets analyze your question first. What shall you do if you wanted to illustrate whether gender equality is a myth or reality? obviously you will need proofs for that. They will form the crux of your essay. Whatever you offer as a proof, that shall have a reason as well. So obviously you need to furnish a cause as well.

In Essays where your opinions are sought for, please try to answer questions like this:
-What is this issue?
-why is it like this?
-what can be done to undo this or improve upon it
-who will do it?

in essence, it needs to be: Effect --> which must have a cause --> and there must be a remedy for that cause.

Thus if we talk about Equality:

Define Equality -> What is the current position? --> Why is it so (reasons) -> What can be done to undo it (suggestions) --> additionally who will do it

Thus the outline becomes:

-Defining Gender
-Defining Equality
-What is the difference between a sex and gender?
-What is gender equality position/situation globally?
-Why is it so?

So you see, in this Why section, you will basically take a position. Whether you agree or disagree, this is the section where you can provide your evidences.

-How can and who will improve it?
Based on your evidences, you would suggest some measures that can either improve the situation or undo the inequality :)

Conclusion


The same will apply to almost all the essays if they ask for an opinion etc.
-Energy Crisis
-State of Education
-Industrial Policy
-International Relations
-Social issues

So, current situation will provide the illustrations

Very useful discusion.
in my point of view, gender refers to the cultural construstion regarding masculinity and femininity. it is a learned behaviour and each society assigns the roles and statuses to its individuals according to its culturally constructed concept of gender. if we look at the past then the concept of gender equality was just a myth and in the present scenerio, it is still a myth.

[QUOTE=pkzenab;674412]Very useful discusion.
in my point of view, gender refers to the cultural construstion regarding masculinity and femininity. it is a learned behaviour and each society assigns the roles and statuses to its individuals according to its culturally constructed concept of gender. if we look at the past then the concept of gender equality was just a myth and in the present scenerio, it is still a myth.[/QUOTE]

That's my point of view about Gender as well :) The difference lies in conclusion. I conclude that Gender Equality may not be a reality today, but eventually mankind will move towards a realization that Gender Equality is no more a myth. For example: For years, Women were not inducted into air force for various reasons but a few of them related to the way they are structured by mother nature. but now that is being refuted and they are being inducted as Fighter pilots :)

The natural boundaries may never be completely overcome but with scientific revolution and advancement these boundaries are thinning out. As an instance: man was structured as a hunter by mother nature and one of his main responsibilities included hunting in the primitive societies. That is why Men have a sharper eyesight straight ahead and can think faster to take decisions in complicated scenarios.

Women were envisioned as camp dwellers and since her role included guarding the cave/nest while the man was away for hunting she has a more accurate and wider range of eyesight (scientifically proven). Similar she needed to be social and have a stronger intuition.

But with advancement in science, that gap is being bridged :) Women can take very quick and complex decisions because of a computer for instance.

That's why my conclusion is that Gender Equality is not a myth because it is very much achievable and is being achieved at varying degrees across the globe :) A good discussion though. Stimulating at least