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Comparison and Contrast between Gender Discrimination and Gender Recognition

Gender discrimination can simply refers to the use of an individual’s sex or gender as a reason for treating him or her unfairly. Such kind of discrimination may be meant to deny an individual or group of individuals some benefits that are accessed by others. As well, it may involve treatment that is meant to cause harm to the targeted person or persons (Thoman et al. 703). On the other hand, gender recognition is the opposite of gender discrimination. Gender recognition involves accepting different gender identities of all people and treating people of all genders equally without discriminating people of any particular gender (Douglas 47). This paper offers comparison and contrast of gender discrimination and gender recognition.

ANALYSIS

There is a big contrast in the manner in which gender discrimination and gender recognition and perpetrated. Gender discrimination takes place in the society in a variety of ways. Firstly, discrimination can occur in education system, whereby people of a certain gender are denied opportunities that are accessed by individuals of a different gender. In Saudi Arabia, for instance, women have, for a long time, been denied chances to study subjects such as law, political science and Engineering in colleges (Thoman et al. 704). Secondly, gender discrimination can occur in family settings. In most patriarchal societies, such as most communities in Muslim countries and Africa, women are not allowed to inherit properties from their parents. Valuable material properties such as land and buildings are inherited by men. In some cases, men treat women as part of their properties and are treated with prejudice. Gender discrimination at home may take place during the process of assigning gender roles. In addition, gender discrimination is also common at workplace. There are numerous cases in which men are favored against equally qualified women during appointments for higher posts in organizations. Gender discrimination at workplace can also involve using gender as a reason for giving unequal wage to different people (Thoman et al. 704). In short, gender discrimination can take any form that involves treating a person of in unfair manner on the basis of gender.

One of the most important aspects of gender discrimination is its impact on the targeted individual and the society. Gender discrimination usually causes stress on the targeted person. In cases where the situation becomes severe, gender discrimination can lead to severe psychological disorders such as distress or brain trauma. Such psychological disorders can be a cause of early death in cases where they last for a long time (Thoman et al. 706). With regard to the society, gender discrimination is likely to limit benefits that could be derived through allowing all people to have equal access to opportunities irrespective of gender. For instance, a company that discriminates against women when giving promotions may not access benefits of talented and knowledgeable women. Similarly, the society in which gender discrimination is perpetrated may not benefit from good leadership of women with key leadership qualities (Thoman et al. 707).

On the other hand, gender recognition takes place through accepting and supporting practices and values that support fair treatment of all people irrespective of gender and that prevent discrimination based on gender. Gender recognition is common in most civilized societies, especially in western nations. In the US, for instance, children are offered equal educational opportunities irrespective of gender. There is no class subject that is preserved for men or women in schools (Douglas 47). In cases where there is gender recognition, organizational leaders treat workers fairly, without discrimination based on gender. Also, workers in organizations are offered pay depending on their contribution, without any discrimination based on gender. Both men and women in organizations are offered equal opportunities for promotion (Douglas 47).

Unlike gender discrimination that has negative impact on individuals and society, gender recognition has positive impacts. To start with, gender recognition enables people in the society to recognize the nature and rights of all people, irrespective of gender. People of transgender group are highly likely to suffer from stigmatism and discrimination especially in societies that recognize only male and female genders (Douglas 48). In such societies, people of transgender group are harassed or segregated during admission to schools, hospitals and other settings since their true gender is not recognized. However, recognition of such people helps to prevent or prevent such kind of discrimination. Importantly, such recognition helps in giving all people, irrespective of gender, equal opportunity to explore their gifts and talents and make full use of their potential. As they do so, societies and organizations benefit from them (Douglas 52).

Despite the significant differences between gender recognition and gender discrimination, the two concepts have a slight similarity. The laws that are used as a remedy for gender discrimination are in most cases the same laws that are used for the purpose of gender recognition. Most civilized societies, especially the western societies, have established effective laws that are meant to enhance gender recognition and to prevent gender discrimination. In the US, for instance, people strive to adhere to laws such as Civil Rights Act, The Equal Pay Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, The Employment Non-Discrimination Act and Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (Douglas 55).

Conclusion

            In conclusion, gender discrimination is a vice that involves treating an individual unfairly by using gender as the reason. Gender recognition, on the other hand involves practices that are opposite to gender discrimination. While gender discrimination has a negative impact on individuals and the society, gender recognition has a positive impact. Despite the differences in the two concepts, most societies use the same laws as remedies for discrimination and for supporting gender recognition.

Works Cited

Douglas, J., Susan. The Rise of Enlightened Sexism. New York, NY: St. Martins Press. 2010.

Print

Thoman, Dustin B., Paul H. White, Niwako Yamawaki, and Hirofumi Koishi. “Variations of

Gender–math Stereotype Content Affect Women’s Vulnerability to Stereotype Threat.” Sex Roles 58.9-10 (2008): 702-12. Print.