1 Dr. Vasantha Kandasamy Mathematics Department Indian Institute of Technology Chennai – 36, India.Chief Guest Address delivered at the inauguration of the Forum of Women Students at the Loyola College, Chennai.

2 Oversimplified belief that men and women possess different personality traits that lead them to different experiences and behaviours Stereotype of a gender is based on the stereotype of the opposite gender definition & understanding

3 Imposition of expected norms of behaviour consequent Imposition of expected norms of behaviour Justification of Gender Inequality Subjugation, subordination Institutionalization of stereotypes – even women accept patriarchy effects

4 Sugar and spice and everything nice, That's what little girls are made of. Snips and snails and puppydog tails, That's what little boys are made of. childhood Toys, Cartoons, Storybooks Dressing, Attire and Colour Behaviour – girls must be polite, boys should be playful

5 Co-curricular activities --- Music, Dance, Sports “Daddy in the office, mommy in the kitchen” Syllabus Co-curricular activities --- Music, Dance, Sports Less intelligent, more social Lack of women heroic characters Teachers attitude – marking schemes – co-ed schools schooling

6 Education only for being a ‘suitable bride’ Science subjects Education only for being a ‘suitable bride’ “Job after marriage” remains a “?” Pink collar jobs Parental attitude: Plan careers for the son, Marriage for the daughter. Career vs. Family --- situation of women vs. men college and careers

7 Rampant discrimination Less chances of promotion Recognition of women’s merit Harassment Disrespect and scant regard Salary – cinema, labour “Typical Women” vs. women not conforming to expected norms Mediocrity “ADJUSTMENT” workplace

8 HE SHE workplace examplesHas a family picture on the desk. A responsible family man! Has a family picture on the desk. She places family before career. Has a cluttered desk. He’s a hard worker. Has a cluttered desk. What a disorganized scatterbrain! Is going on a business trip. Its good for his career. Is going on a business trip. What will her husband say? workplace examples

9 HE SHE workplace examples 2 workplaceIs talking with co-workers. Must be discussing the latest deal! Is talking with co-workers. Must be gossiping. Isn’t at his desk. Must be at a meeting. Isn’t at her desk. Must be in the toilet. Is getting married. He will be more settled. Is getting married. She will get pregnant and leave. workplace examples 2 workplace

10 HE SHE workplace examples 3 workplaceIs having lunch with the boss. He’s on the way up! Is having lunch with the boss. They must be having an affair. Was criticized by his boss. He’ll improve his performance now. Was criticized by the boss. She must be getting upset. Is having a baby. He needs a raise. Is having a baby. She’ll cost the company plenty in maternity leave. workplace examples 3 workplace

11 Women's and Men's Bodies are Represented Differently If you glance through magazine advertisements, you'll notice that women are much more likely than men to serve a decorative function. Women recline in seductive clothing, caressing a liquor bottle, or they drape themselves coyly on the nearest male. They bend their bodies at a ludicrous angle, or they look as helpless as 6-year-olds. They also may be painfully thin. In contrast, men stand up, they look competent, and they look purposeful (Jones, 1991). media & advertising

12 SITA – Chastity Test NALAYINI – Will any man do? KANNAGI – Accepting the improper conduct of men CURRENT DAY “ROLE-MODELS” manMADE LANGUAGE Words of Abuse – prostitute, also in regional languages: pativrata women. Vs. patnivrata men JUSTICE, LIBERTY representations of, but practice “role-models” “traditions”

13 Women’s health – Childbirth and Pregnancy Body image – consciousness AIDS Campaigns – advertisements “When you have a wife, why do you need the prostitutes?” Women’s health – Childbirth and Pregnancy Body image – consciousness “Blaming the victim” Attitude of men – why they continue so --“masculinity” health awareness

14 CHALLENGE GENDER STEREOTYPESEDUCATE, AGITATE, ORGANIZE – Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar EMPOWER YOURSELF – higher education, employment, business what CAN be done

15 TRANSFORM PERSONAL EXPERIENCEFIGHT FOR OUR RIGHTS – Being a feminist – equal rights, 50% representative reservation BE COURAGEOUS TRANSFORM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE what CAN be done

16 Workplace Issues and Trends, http://www. assureconsultingBimbos and Rambos: How gender stereotypes influence our cognitive processes References