Gender socialization: A study among women in Jammu city

Abstract

Gender socialization refers to the process of children learning about the social expectations, attitudes, and behaviours that are typically associated with boys and girls. The ‘Gender’ refers to the socio cultural definition of man and woman, the way societies distinguish men and women and assign them social roles. Each society slowly transforms a male or female into a man or a woman, into masculine and feminine, with different qualities, behaviour patterns and, roles, responsibilities and, rights and expectations. Unlike sex, which is biological, the gender identities of women and men are psychologically and socially- which means historically and culturally determined. Socialization is the process through which individual learns to perform social role. Thus, through gender role socialization girls and boys learn the roles and responsibilities in the society. The present paper has attempted to understand the concept of gender role socialization in the family. The paper has examined the socialization process and the factors that influence gender development in child caring and household activities.