Course Code: SC810

Course Name: Gender and Society

Ashima sheel
S142e0026
 Discuss the role of caste in relation to masculinity
and femininity in Indian society?
Masculinity

To define masculine, using the word “Goal” makes more

sense than using the word “Tough“. Another way to define
masculine is: “Winning & decisiveness are important in
society”.

 Winning is good, and gets you rewarded: usually, the best

indicator for performing or performance is money, because it
is a measurable quantity. For that reason being rewarded for
one’s performance is more prevalent in masculine countries
than in feminine countries.
 Standing or status are important. This is “Acquired” status.
In other words, if you work hard enough, you can achieve this
form of status (as opposed to “Ascribed” status, which has to
do with Hierarchy). When you work hard you will be
rewarded for your performance which will give you the status
you desire.
 Competition: competing is good and is considered as fair
play; or a chance to show how good you are. Even
competition amongst colleagues in the same organization or
department is seen as fair play.
 Admiration for the winner: the successful achiever gets the
credits and is being admired for what she has done and
achieved.

Femininity
 When we define femininity the word “Tender” makes good
sense. However, a better way to define femininity is “Process
orientation and consensus“.

 Sticking your head out is not appreciated (socially, nor

materially): in other words being better than others does not
get you more money and people will not like you more.
 Equal: don’t think you are anyone, just because you think you
are. In the Nordic countries, there is even a specific “Law of
Jante“. It says something like: don’t think you are anyone,
that you will become anyone or that you’re better than
anyone…
 Consensus: rather than being decisive, people prefer the
process of reaching consensus (which is something different
than reaching a compromise; with a compromise both parties
don’t get what they want, while with a consensus agreement
people can go for the “third option“)
 Sympathy for the loser: or sympathy for the underdog; the
less successful in society deserve a chance and should be
helped.