In our modern day society, many sexist practices have been extinguished and women are seen as equals, however in the last decades of the twenty-first century, a rapid social change in the lives of men and women has brought to light the differences in health care services that men and women experience. This essay will discuss the reason that it is important to adopt a gendered approach to health issues by firstly differentiating between sex and gender.
The differentiation between sex and gender is essential to this topic (Annandale & Hunt, 2000). These two words are often used interchangeably however, in Sociology, the comparison between them is quite clear. Sex refers to the biological and physical characteristics of a person, i.e. male or
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A known gender-specific cause of death is maternal mortality, which in many developing countries health care institutions aim to reduce the rate of maternal death (Arber & Thomas, 2011). Men and women are biologically different, with varying genetics and hormones, however, the focus on women’s reproductive health has resulted in neglect for general areas of health for women. This is owing to the referral of men as “the norm”, and comparing women’s health to the standard of a man’s muscular strength or aerobic capacity, which is obviously superior in men (Lorber, 1997). The importance of a gendered approach to health lies in the differences and inequity of treatment between men and women which is clearly depicted in the constant comparison of women to …show more content…
Generally, women have less power, independence and financial resources than their male counterparts have and are mostly the primary caregivers of their families. Care-giving places a huge burden on women’s shoulders and takes a toll on their mental and physical health (Braithwaite, 1990, as cited in Arber & Thomas, 2011). Women face extreme stress in caring for their children or elderly and this can have negative effects on their health. For this reason, a different approach for men and women regarding their health is necessary as women are exposed to different environments than men, which are not comparable, therefore, the measure of physical challenges either can cope with differs and needs to be examined separately.
Furthermore, patriarchal control, which is common in households within rural areas, can lead to exploitation of women and violence towards them (Arber & Thomas, 2011), which ultimately makes women more liable to physical injury. This further shows the need for a gendered approach to health as women are clearly susceptible to physical abuse, and generally bruise and cut more
While sex refers the biological characteristics that make up a person, their gender is determined by the behaviors and attitudes considered “proper” by society according to their sex.
The oppressive attitude towards woman interfered with women’s health care in the 19th century, and caused horrific medical issues to go untreated. When woman were sick with any kind of illness the doctors would basically classify the illness under one umbrella diagnosis “as a disease of the womb.”
Verbrugge, L. 1985. Gender and Health: An Update on Hypothesis and Evidence. Journal of Health and Social Behaviour. 26(156-182) [e-journal] Available at
When one thinks of health, we think of our physical well-being, we think of the medicines we have to take to ensure our recovery in cases of illness, we think white-washed halls, doctors, nurses, candy stripers in their hospital clothes, we think vegetables and fruit juice, and the rest of that wellness-junk that the television infomercials make us buy, we think of sickness, we think of death, we think of life. We do not, or rarely, think of the underlying sociological implications of health and illness, through which we unknowingly dictate our actions, and through which our health manoeuvres through. Beyond the biological and natural conditions, through which our health is dictated, are the sociological factors affecting our wellbeing. It has been shown that the spread of diseases is heavily influenced by culture and tradition, and clearly, our socioeconomic statuses. Health therefore is much more than just an amalgamation of biological factors, but it extends to more socially-constructed sectors of our beings. And all these factors tend to procure inequalities.
Underlying mean of the health problems in our country, are poverty and poor education. Differences in socioeconomic status are seen for most conditions, diseases and sick factors in this country. The social distribution of health and social causes, which most effect health, must be understood and addressed. Total public and private health expenditure in Pakistan represents 2-3 %of the gross domestic product. (GDP). In 1990, less then 1% of GDP was allocated to public health care with private expenditure accounting for the rest. This is well below international standards because of the low levels of expending; it becomes critical to evaluate the impact of government policies of people’s health. In addition to direct provision of various governments influence health delivery in indirect ways through their policies towards medical education and regulations.
First of all, what are sex and gender? Sex is described as the interaction between genes, hormones, behavior, and the environment. The adjectives female, male, or intersex are used when referring to sex. Gender is the social status, legal designation, and personal identity. The divisions in gender are due mainly to the expectations of social institutions. The adjectives women and men, boys and girls, are used when addressing gender. Alternative perspective may argue that there is a definite difference between males and females, which may prove that these categories are not socially constructed, but rather innate. However, all around the world, the definition of sex and gender is different. The binary system and the standard story ignore the numerous people who do not fit perfectly into this flawed system.
"In dismantling the notion that sex and gender are innate, first the two must be defined. Sex is described as the interaction between genes, hormones, behavior, and the environment. The adjectives female, male, or intersex is used when referring to sex. Gender is the social status, legal
Graham, H 2000, ‘Socio-economic change and inequalities in men and women’s health in the UK’, in E Annandale & K Hunt (eds), Gender Inequalities in Health, Open University Press, Buckingham; Philadelphia, pp. 94-96
Equality and diversity by Irwin Wendy address the need for equality in healthcare professions and how it affects the individual. Equality and diversity plays a huge role between patients, families and other healthcare professionals. It takes a unique look distinctive when analysing the support needs of patients in terms of equal opportunities as well as their choices and preferences as the National health service opens to a wide range of people to access the services .
Bowman, M., & Frank, E. (2002). Historical Context. In Women in Medicine: Career and Life Management (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Springer.
In order to grasp the concept of social construction of gender, it is essential to understand the difference between sex and gender. Biologically, there are only two reproductive genital organs that are determinants of sex: the vagina and the penis. Sex is established solely through biological structures; in other words, genitalia are the basis of sex. Once a sex category is determined, gender, a human categorization socially attached to sex, is assigned based on anatomy. Gender typically references social or cultural differen...
Sex denotes to the bodily and birth features of men and women. Sex is the categorization of people into male and female groups based in biological characteristics. While gender is the cultural or social interpretation of sex; putting people into male behavioral and female expectations groups based on association with biological being a socially characteristics appropriate man or woman. In “The Social Construction of Gender”, “When sociologist refer to the social construction of gender, they are referring to the many different process by which the expectations associated with being a boy or girl are passed through society”. (p.22)
Society has planted a representation into people’s minds on how each gender is supposed to be constructed. When one thinks of the word gender, the initial responses are male and female but gender may be represented in many additional terms. As defined, “Gender refers to the social expectations that surround these biological categories.” (Steckley, 2017, pg.256) Gender is something that is ascribed,
Sex and gender are terms that are mixed up from day to day and seen as similarities rather than differences. Sex is what distinguishes people from being either male or female. It is the natural or biological variations between males and females (Browne, 1998). Some of these variations are genitals, body hair and internal and external organs. It is the make-up of chromosomes, men have one X and one Y chromosome and women have two X chromosomes, these are responsible for primary characteristics (Fulcher and Scott, 2003). Gender on the other hand refers to the sociological differences between male and female. This is teaching males and females to behave in various ways due to socialisation (Browne, 1998). Example: masculinity and femininity. Girls are supposed to show their femininity by being non-competitive, sensitive, dependent, attractive and placid. If and when some girls don’t succeed in keeping this image they will be referred to as a tomboy. On the other hand, boys show their masculinity through aggression, physical strength...
In the operation of the healthcare system, gender plays a central role. Gender discrimination in the healthcare exists either in the field of education, workplace or while attending to the patients. Interestingly, as opposed to other areas where discrimination lies heavily to a particular gender; gender inequality in health happens to both women and men. Gender inequality in the health care service negatively affects the quality of care given and perpetuates patient biases to a gender. Also, the gender disparities in the field of health assists researchers and practitioners to study conditions and their probable manifestations within both sexes.