Gender Studies (LLB 1st Semester)
Chapter 2 Notes-
Introduction to Basic Concepts and Terms of Gender Studies
Part 1: Short Questions with Answers
. Define Gender.
Answer:
Gender refers to socially and culturally constructed roles, behaviors, expectations, and
responsibilities assigned to individuals based on their perceived sex. These roles are
learned through family, media, religion, and education.
Example: Society may expect women to cook and take care of children, while men are
expected to earn money.
2. Define Sex.
Answer:
Sex refers to biological and physical differences between males and females, such as
chromosomes, hormones, and reproductive organs. It is determined at birth.
Example: Females generally have XX chromosomes and males have XY chromosomes.
3. What is Patriarchy?
Answer:
Patriarchy is a social system in which men hold primary power in political, economic,
religious, and family structures. Women often have less access to decision-making and
resources.
Example: Property and family inheritance passing mainly to sons rather than daughters.
4. Define Feminism.
Answer:
Feminism is a social and political movement that advocates equal rights, opportunities,
and treatment for women and all genders.
Example: Movements demanding equal pay for equal work.
5. What is Gender Segregation?
Answer:
Gender segregation is the separation of people based on gender in education, workplaces,
or public life.
Example: Jobs like nursing being dominated by women while engineering is male-
dominated.
6. Define Gender Discrimination.
Answer:
Gender discrimination means unfair or unequal treatment of individuals based on their
gender.
Example: Refusing to hire a woman because she may get married or have children.
7. What is Sexism?
Answer:
Sexism is prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination based on sex or gender.
Example: Saying “women are too emotional to lead.”
8. Define Androcentrism.
Answer:
Androcentrism is the practice of viewing men’s experiences as the norm while ignoring
women’s perspectives.
Example: Safety equipment designed only for male body sizes.
9. What is Racism?
Answer:
Racism is discrimination or prejudice based on race or ethnicity.
Example: Not giving someone a job because of their ethnic background.
10. Define Equality.
Answer:
Equality means giving everyone the same rights, opportunities, and resources.
Example: Boys and girls having equal access to education.
11. What is Equity?
Answer:
Equity means fairness by giving resources based on individual needs to achieve equal
outcomes.
Example: Providing scholarships to girls in remote areas where education access is
limited.
PART 2: Long Questions with Detailed Answers
1. Explain the difference between Equality and Equity with examples.
Answer:
Equality and equity are related but different concepts. Equality means treating everyone
the same, regardless of their needs or circumstances. Equity focuses on fairness by
considering differences and providing resources accordingly.
In education, equality means giving every student the same books. Equity means giving
extra support to students from poor backgrounds or with learning difficulties so they can
achieve similar results.
In gender issues, equality means laws that give equal rights to men and women. Equity
means special measures, such as reserved seats for women in parliament, to correct
historical disadvantages.
2. Discuss Patriarchy and its social effects.
Answer:
Patriarchy is a system where men dominate positions of power in society. It affects
family life, politics, economy, religion, and law. Under patriarchy, women often have less
access to education, employment, property, and leadership.
Effects include:
Gender wage gap
Limited political representation of women
Gender-based violence
Stereotypes about “appropriate” roles
Patriarchy harms both women and men by forcing strict gender roles.
3. Explain Feminism and its historical importance.
Answer:
Feminism promotes gender equality and challenges discrimination. Historically, feminist
movements achieved major rights:
Women’s right to vote
Right to education
Workplace protections
Laws against domestic violence
Modern feminism also addresses issues like workplace harassment and political
representation.
4. Describe Gender Discrimination and its forms with examples.
Answer:
Gender discrimination occurs when people are treated unfairly because of gender.
Forms include:
Economic: Women paid less than men
Educational: Girls not allowed to attend school
Political: Women underrepresented in government
Legal: Unequal inheritance rights
Such discrimination limits social and economic development.
5. Explain Androcentrism and its impact.
Answer:
Androcentrism centers male experiences as universal. This creates biased knowledge,
laws, and policies.
Impacts:
Health research ignoring women
Laws not considering women’s needs
Workplace policies favoring men
It leads to inequality and invisibility of women’s contributions.
Part 3: MCQs
1. Gender is:
- Biological
- Social construct
- Genetic code
- Medical term
Answer: Social construct
2. Sex refers to:
- Culture
- Biology
- Behavior
- Norms
Answer: Biology
3. Patriarchy supports:
- Equality
- Male dominance
- Female rule
- Neutral power
Answer: Male dominance
4. Feminism aims for:
- Male superiority
- Gender equality
- Separation
- Violence
Answer: Gender equality
5. Gender segregation means:
- Mixing genders
- Separation by gender
- Equality
- Freedom
Answer: Separation by gender
6. Gender discrimination is:
- Fairness
- Equal treatment
- Unfair treatment by gender
- Law
Answer: Unfair treatment by gender
7. Sexism is:
- Neutral behavior
- Gender prejudice
- Lawful act
- Culture
Answer: Gender prejudice
8. Androcentrism focuses on:
- Women
- Men as norm
- Children
- Equality
Answer: Men as norm
9. Racism relates to:
- Gender
- Religion
- Race/ethnicity
- Law
Answer: Race/ethnicity
10. Equality means:
- Fairness
- Same treatment
- Special rights
- Privilege
Answer: Same treatment
11. Equity means:
- Same for all
- Fair according to need
- Discrimination
- Law
Answer: Fair according to need
12. Which is a feminist goal?
- Inequality
- Equal rights
- Patriarchy
- Bias
Answer: Equal rights
13. Gender roles are:
- Natural
- Socially learned
- Genetic
- Fixed
Answer: Socially learned
14. Patriarchy affects:
- Men only
- Women only
- Society
- Animals
Answer: Society
15. Workplace harassment is:
- Equality
- Discrimination
- Equity
- Law
Answer: Discrimination
16. Androcentrism ignores:
- Male views
- Female perspectives
- Science
- Law
Answer: Female perspectives
17. Racism causes:
- Justice
- Bias
- Equality
- Peace
Answer: Bias
18. Equity helps achieve:
- Inequality
- Fair outcomes
- Dominance
- Segregation
Answer: Fair outcomes
19. Feminism supports:
- Rights
- Violence
- Bias
- Segregation
Answer: Rights
20. Gender studies examines:
- Math
- Social roles
- Physics
- Biology only
Answer: Social roles