The issue of social equality of men and women has been one of the most for the last couple of centuries. In her book, Susan Okin explores this problem from the point of view of social, political and interpersonal justice, focusing on that in the modern progressive “post-feministic” society gender division and discrimination still exist. While being formally recognized as rightful members of the society, women remain at a significant disadvantage because of their alleged moral obligation bring up children, to sacrifice their professional development and to take primary responsibility for the functioning and preservation of the family.
Reflecting on the issue of gender, one may note that the current state of affairs is caused by the fact that many people find it convenient to save the unspoken order of interactions between the genders. Political and socio-political structures play a primary role in modeling the conditions of social life and in this regard, often institutionalize the gender inequality. A specific policy and traditional social and institutional structure establish the fixed order of things. In Okin’s words, gender becomes far more that simple sexual difference, but “the deeply entrenched institutionalization of sexual difference” (Okin 1989, p. 205).
The long history of discrimination and restrictions, associated with the roles of the two genders, invisibly and involuntarily affects the everyday actions and decisions of the individual. Moreover, male and female inequality also stems from the traditional logics of the relations between them. The concept of belonging to one or other sex includes hierarchical element according to which men are considered higher beings in comparison with women; the tasks, functions, and values attributed to men are, thus, considered more significant. This “norm” becomes a common standard for the whole society.
Another serious issue is that men do not take the same amount of responsibility to bring up their children in such gender-based families. The vast majority of incomplete families resulting from a divorce are those where the woman is forced to carry the burden of the child’s maintenance. It becomes harder for the woman to support her career and contribute to the social-political and economic development of the society. The woman often has to work more than men, think like man and act like men, in addition to her functions prescribed by gender. And those women who wish to make a significant impact on the life of their country opt for the variant of not having children at all.
The author’s suggestions to establish new social order, where the concept of gender, simply does not exist, is quite reasonable. From the humanist and democratic point of view, it is crucial to ensure justice and equality for every human being. A patriarchal family seems to come to an end, especially in the Western world. The outspoken critics may claim that this is nothing more that moral and spiritual degradation, but in fact, this is the transition to a qualitatively higher level of development, where no discrimination and humiliation based on sex and gender are acceptable. The new type of family where a man and a woman share equal responsibilities will benefit both for them and for the children (Okin 1989).
Overall, it can be seen that the current gender injustice contravenes the very essence of a democratic society which most of the developed world had chosen as the only possible mode of its existence. To make this change, the society and the government should reject the concept of gender and establish equal conditions of participation in the family life for both men and women.
Reference List
Okin, S 1989, Justice, gender and family, Basic Books, New York.