Contemporary Issues - Social Studies 10

Contemporary Issues - Social Studies 10

• Territorial Conflicts: Refer to disputes between countries over land territories.

• Clan Politics: A political system where leadership positions are predominantly held by members of prominent families.

• Corruption (Public Funds Misappropriation): Refers to the dishonest acquisition of public funds through questionable or illegal transactions.

• Terrorism: The deliberate use of fear through violence to achieve political goals.

• Multiculturalism: The philosophy emphasizing respect and acceptance of diversity among people.

• Gender and Sexuality Question: A discussion on gender identity, orientation, and expression.

  • Key aspects of Gender and Sexuality:
    • Sex: Biological characteristics, such as chromosomes, hormones, and anatomy, that categorize people as male, female, or intersex.
    • Gender Identity: A person's internal sense of being male, female, or something else, regardless of assigned sex at birth.
    • Gender Orientation: Emotional, romantic, and/or physical attraction to others based on gender.
    • Gender Expression: The way a person expresses their gender identity through external factors like clothing, hairstyle, behavior, and mannerisms.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze factors causing gender discrimination.
• Evaluate the role of gender roles in various fields and social institutions.
• Compare and contrast the status of women, LGBTQ+ individuals in different countries.
• Examine the impact of same-sex marriage in countries where it's permitted.
• Express personal views on same-sex marriage.

Social Norms and Stereotypes

• Traditional gender roles: Societal expectations can create limitations and biases.
• Stereotypes: These expectations about how men and women should behave lead to discrimination in education, employment, and leadership opportunities.
• Limited Representation: Underrepresentation of women in power positions can reinforce these stereotypes.

Cultural and Religious Beliefs

• Patriarchal Societies: Cultural norms prioritzing male dominance leads to disadvantages for women.
• Harmful Practices: This can manifest in child marriage, female genital mutilation, and unequal inheritance laws.
• Religious Interpretations: Some religious interpretations perpetuate gender inequality through restrictions on behavior or participation in certain activities.
• Evolving Movements: Some religious institutions witness internal movements advocating for gender equality and inclusion.

Economic and Political Systems

• Unequal Access: Gender gaps in education and employment can trap people in cycles of poverty.
• Legal and Institutional Discrimination: Lack of legal protection, such as preventing LGBTQ+ partners from being considered immediate family for emergencies or for insurance beneficiaries, reinforces gender inequality.

Gender Roles in Different Fields

• Politics: Historical underrepresentation, leading to fewer women in leadership positions.
• Glass Ceiling/Sticky Floor: Invisible barriers hindering advancement to top positions and limitations restricting individuals to lower-level jobs.
• Family Structures: Traditional gender roles in childcare and domestic work being primarily associated with women.
• Education and STEM Fields: Stereotypes and a lack of role models contribute to women's underrepresentation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
  • Progress: Education has been a driver of gender equality, showing that girls and women are achieving higher educational levels globally. However, disparities remain in access and quality.
• Workplace: Gender pay gap, sexual harassment in workplace, gender discrimination leading to unequal access to promotions and leadership.

Religion

• Varying Interpretations and Practices: Different religions have diverse views on gender roles, ranging from advocating equality to upholding traditional, patriarchal structures.

• Evolving Movements: Religious institutions demonstrate internal movements towards greater gender equality.

Media and Entertainment

• Gender Stereotypes and Objectification: Women are often portrayed in stereotypical roles and subjected to objectification and sexualization in media, reinforcing harmful gender norms.
• Breaking the Mold: Growing trends for filmmakers, writers, and artists to challenge gender stereotypes and offer diverse representations of women, men, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.