Gender Bias v/s Perception of Gender Bias
With “Council for Dialogue, Research and Advocacy” on the occasion of Internation Women’s Day 2022
When we say gender bias…
The term, being used primarily in binary nature, brings the “men v/s women” factor to our mind. And to highlight one, it is human tendency to put the other into custody, right?
But, men may not even be your enemies. Probably, it is society’s mindset. Or maybe, like in my case, sometimes it may be about your perception. And that is what might be holding you back from liberating, exploring, and limiting yourself, your life, and living it to the fullest.
Growing up, I was tired of listening to advice given to women to adjust themselves to the norms of society. And do things as others expect us to.
But you know what, gender bias is not just a women's issue, it’s a human issue. They do not just harm women but also men in many ways.
One among many is the stereotypes that require men to be strong and tough, which results in men hiding their emotions. This makes it more likely to depression, substance abuse, and sometimes even commit suicide being less likely to seek support in case of health issues of any kind.
Another stereotype tagging men as the primary breadwinners limits the opportunities for them.
Let me explain it with the help of a story…
It actually all started in my childhood with my grandmother constantly pointing at me “beti chhaua ho, sab aana chahiye” and advising me on learning certain things which I noticed, she never asked my brother to.
But, now when I look back, I don’t think my grandmother wanted me to learn things to serve men but probably being a woman she knew out of her life experiences that I would need those skills for myself. And now you see, it actually helps me be more independent not just as a woman but more as a human being, and lead a better life.
And she, having no personal experience about difficulties that men might face growing up, probably didn’t ask my brother to learn such skills. Or maybe because he was younger than me and he didn’t need it at that point in time. Maybe, the gender bias factor was never there. Maybe it was just my perception of gender bias.
So, probably the time that we also try to look at the other side of the coin.
Educate yourselves, particularly about unconscious bias which is basically what drives most of us. Don’t let anyone tell you what you can or can’t do. You probably know it better than them.
Liberate, explore and not limit ourselves and our life and live it to the fullest.
Session link: https://youtu.be/o3NADoYwlWI?t=2648
Reference: What You Can Do to Reduce Gender Bias And Why You Should | Susan Fleming | TEDxCornellUniversity
