IGNOU FREE BGDG-172 Gender Sensitization : Society and Culture Solved Guess Paper 2025
Question 1: Explain the Concept of Gender.
Gender is a social and cultural concept that refers to the roles, behaviors, responsibilities, and identities that society assigns to men and women. It is different from sex, which is a biological classification based on physical and reproductive differences. While sex is determined by birth, gender is learned through socialization. Society teaches individuals what is considered masculine or feminine behavior through family, education, religion, media, and cultural practices. Gender is not fixed; it changes across time, place, and cultures. In some societies, women are encouraged to work outside the home, while in others they are confined to household responsibilities. This proves that gender roles are socially constructed and not biologically determined. Gender also includes identities beyond just male and female, recognizing diversity in human experiences. The concept of gender helps us understand inequalities between men and women in terms of power, education, employment, health, and decision-making. Understanding gender is essential for promoting equality, social justice, and human rights. Thus, gender is a dynamic and evolving social reality shaped by historical, cultural, economic, and political forces.
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Question 2: Discuss the Relationship between Gender and Family.
The family plays a crucial role in shaping gender identities and roles. It is the first institution where children learn what it means to be a boy or a girl. From a very young age, children observe and internalize behavior patterns of male and female members of the family. Boys are often encouraged to be strong, independent, and career-oriented, while girls are taught to be obedient, caring, and responsible for household work. These expectations strengthen traditional gender roles. The family also controls access to education, nutrition, health care, and freedom, often favoring male children over females in many patriarchal societies. Women are expected to manage domestic responsibilities such as cooking, cleaning, child care, and elder care, while men are seen as breadwinners and decision-makers. This unequal division of labor leads to gender inequality within the family. However, modern families are slowly changing with increasing education, women’s employment, and awareness of gender equality. Shared responsibilities, mutual respect, and equal decision-making are becoming more common in urban families. Thus, the family can either reinforce gender inequality or become a powerful site for promoting gender equality.
Question 3: Analyze Gender and Work with Reference to Inequality.
Gender and work are closely linked to social inequality. Women and men do not enjoy equal opportunities in the world of work due to deep-rooted gender bias. Traditionally, men are associated with paid and productive work, while women are linked with unpaid domestic and caregiving work. Even when women enter the workforce, they are mostly employed in low-paid, insecure, and informal jobs such as domestic work, teaching, nursing, and textile industries. On the other hand, men dominate high-paying and decision-making positions. Wage inequality is another major issue, as women are often paid less than men for the same work. Women also face multiple challenges such as workplace harassment, lack of maternity benefits, unequal promotion opportunities, and work-life balance pressures. Due to family responsibilities and social expectations, women often take career breaks, which affects their professional growth. Despite these challenges, women’s participation in education and employment is increasing. Government policies, legal protection, reservation, and awareness campaigns are helping improve women’s status in the workforce. However, true gender equality in work can only be achieved when societal attitudes change and both men and women share responsibilities equally.
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Question 4: Explain the Relationship between Health and Gender.
Health and gender are deeply interconnected, as men and women experience health differently due to biological, social, and cultural factors. Women’s health is often neglected due to gender discrimination, poverty, lack of education, and restricted access to healthcare facilities. In many societies, women eat last and least, leading to malnutrition and anemia. Reproductive health issues such as early marriage, repeated pregnancies, and lack of medical care increase women’s health risks. Mental health problems such as depression and anxiety are also more common among women due to domestic violence, workload pressure, and social restrictions. Men, on the other hand, face health risks related to hazardous occupations, substance abuse, and stress due to expectations of being the sole breadwinner. Gender norms prevent both men and women from openly discussing their health problems. Access to healthcare services is often controlled by family decisions, where women’s health needs are given lower priority. Gender-sensitive healthcare policies, awareness programs, nutrition schemes, and maternal health services are essential to improve overall well-being. Thus, achieving gender equality in health is necessary for building a healthy and productive society.
Question 5: Discuss Gender, Law, and Society.
Law plays a vital role in promoting gender justice and protecting the rights of women and marginalized genders. Historically, women were denied equal rights in education, property, voting, and employment. With social reform movements and constitutional provisions, several legal safeguards have been introduced to ensure equality. Laws related to domestic violence, sexual harassment, dowry prohibition, child marriage, maternity benefits, and equal pay aim to protect women from exploitation and discrimination. The Indian Constitution guarantees equality before law and prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex. Legal provisions also support women’s participation in education, politics, and employment through reservation and welfare schemes. However, despite strong laws, gender injustice continues due to lack of awareness, weak implementation, and deep-rooted patriarchal attitudes. Many women hesitate to approach the legal system due to fear, social stigma, and economic dependence. Therefore, along with legal reforms, social awareness, education, and attitude change are necessary for achieving real gender justice. Law and society must work together to ensure dignity, safety, equality, and empowerment for all genders.
Question 6: Explain the Role of Media in Shaping Gender Representation.
Media plays a powerful role in shaping public perceptions of gender and reinforcing or challenging gender stereotypes. Television, films, newspapers, advertisements, social media, and digital platforms constantly present images of men and women that influence how society understands masculinity and femininity. Traditionally, media has portrayed men as strong, dominant, decision-makers and women as emotional, dependent, beautiful, and confined to domestic roles. Such representations create unrealistic expectations and reinforce gender inequality. Advertisements often show women promoting household products while men appear as professionals and leaders. This limits women’s identity to beauty and caregiving. Media also shapes body image ideals, causing mental health issues such as low self-esteem, anxiety, and eating disorders, especially among young girls. However, in recent years, media has also become a platform for positive change. Women are now increasingly represented as professionals, politicians, athletes, and entrepreneurs. Campaigns promoting women’s rights, gender equality, and LGBTQ+ inclusion have gained visibility through digital and social media. At the same time, harmful content such as objectification of women, cyber harassment, and sexist humor still exists. Therefore, media can act both as a tool of oppression and a force for transformation. Responsible, gender-sensitive media representation is essential for building an equal and inclusive society.
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Question 7: Discuss Gender-Based Violence and Its Social Impact.
Gender-based violence refers to any form of physical, emotional, sexual, or economic harm inflicted on an individual due to their gender. It mainly affects women and girls due to unequal power relations in society. Common forms include domestic violence, dowry-related violence, sexual harassment, rape, trafficking, child marriage, and honor killings. Gender-based violence is rooted in patriarchy, gender stereotypes, economic dependence, illiteracy, and weak enforcement of laws. Its impact on individuals is severe and long-lasting. Victims suffer from physical injuries, psychological trauma, depression, anxiety, and loss of self-confidence. Many women remain silent due to fear of social stigma, financial dependence, and lack of support systems. Gender-based violence also affects families and society by disrupting social harmony, increasing healthcare costs, reducing women’s participation in education and employment, and weakening overall development. Although laws exist to prevent violence against women, such as laws on domestic violence and sexual harassment, implementation remains weak. Awareness, education, community support, and strong legal action are necessary to eliminate gender-based violence. Ending gender-based violence is essential for achieving gender justice, human rights, and sustainable development.
Question 8: Explain the Concept of Patriarchy and Its Impact on Gender Relations.
Patriarchy refers to a social system in which men hold primary power and dominate roles in political leadership, moral authority, economic control, and family decision-making. In a patriarchal society, men are considered superior while women are treated as inferior and dependent. Patriarchy shapes gender relations from birth itself, where male children are preferred over female children. Women are expected to be obedient, self-sacrificing, and responsible for home and family, while men are seen as breadwinners and authority figures. Patriarchy restricts women’s access to education, health care, property, employment, and political representation. It also justifies violence, control over women’s sexuality, and unequal division of labor. The psychological impact of patriarchy leads to low self-esteem among women and emotional suppression among men. Although modernization, education, and feminist movements have challenged patriarchy, it still exists in many subtle and open forms. True gender equality cannot be achieved unless patriarchal values are replaced with principles of equality, dignity, and mutual respect. Ending patriarchy requires continuous efforts through education, law, media awareness, and social reform.
Question 9: Discuss the Importance of Gender Sensitization in Society.
Gender sensitization means developing awareness and sensitivity towards gender issues, inequalities, and discrimination. It helps individuals understand that gender roles are socially constructed and can be changed. Gender sensitization is important in schools, families, workplaces, media, and governance systems. It promotes respect, equality, and fairness between all genders. Through gender sensitization, people learn to question stereotypes such as “men are strong” and “women are weak.” It encourages equal participation of men and women in education, employment, decision-making, and leadership. Gender sensitization also plays a crucial role in reducing violence against women, child abuse, workplace harassment, and discrimination against LGBTQ+ communities. In educational institutions, gender-sensitive teaching helps students develop respectful attitudes. In workplaces, it ensures equal pay, safety, and growth opportunities. Gender sensitization leads to healthier relationships, stronger families, and a more just society. Governments and social organizations conduct training programs, awareness campaigns, and policy reforms to promote gender sensitivity. Without gender sensitization, legal reforms alone cannot achieve real equality. Therefore, gender sensitization is the foundation of true social transformation.
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Question 10: Explain the Role of Education in Promoting Gender Equality.
Education is the most powerful tool for promoting gender equality and social change. It helps individuals develop critical thinking, self-confidence, and awareness about rights and responsibilities. Education empowers women by improving their economic independence, decision-making abilities, and social status. Educated women are more likely to support the education of their children, leading to intergenerational progress. Education challenges gender stereotypes by showing that both men and women are equally capable in science, leadership, sports, and governance. Gender-sensitive education promotes respect, inclusiveness, and equality in classrooms. It reduces child marriage, early pregnancy, maternal mortality, and domestic violence. Despite progress, many girls still face barriers such as poverty, safety concerns, social restrictions, and lack of facilities. Government schemes like scholarships, free education, mid-day meals, and awareness programs aim to improve girls’ education. When both boys and girls receive equal education, society becomes more balanced, productive, and democratic. Thus, education is the foundation of women’s empowerment and the key to achieving long-term gender equality.
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