Understanding Gender Through an Educational Construct

Abstract

Gender studies have become an important area of study in recent times. It is being accorded an important place in the curriculum, both at the school and university levels. The many misconceptions that exist regarding the term “gender” need to be addressed, the most common being that gender has solely to do with women and their issues only. The basic important idea that gender studies is inclusive of female, male, and third gender and their issues isn't understood nor made aware to many. The role of education has become all the more important so that we are able to break the prevalent societal stereotypes and address the existing gender inequality. This chapter attempts to present various feminist theories that have contributed to the understanding of gender. The important role of the schools and in particular the textbooks in socializing and building learners' understanding of the sociopolitical contexts cannot be negated. Hence, the chapter will conclude by analyzing how gender content and issues are experienced and get represented in the school curriculum and the textbooks. Many researchers have emphasized the need for gender inclusion to achieve holistic and sustainable development goals. This is important because only with the achievement of social equality can we work toward economic equality.

Citation

Subba, M. (2023), "Understanding Gender Through an Educational Construct", Chakraborty, C. and Pal, D. (Ed.) Gender Inequality and its Implications on Education and Health, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 69-78. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83753-180-620231007