Gender Studies Programme - Gender?

student discussGender refers to the socially differentiated roles and characteristics attributed to the female and male biological sexes. Gender is therefore not inborn, but socially constructed. For example, the social identity of a woman and a man is defined in relation to each other. Gender is a salient schema in the study of people and society. It is commonly used as an underlying principle to structure perceptions about oneself or others, to guide behaviour, and to make decisions. It is an important dimension influencing human behaviour, social development and public policy.