Perceptions of Men and Women

Visual Aid 2.1.1: Perceptions of Men and Women

Men	Women
·        Independent ·        Rational, Non-emotional ·        Tough-skinned ·        Competitive ·        Clumsy ·        Strong, confident ·        Active ·        Aggressive/ rebellious ·        Muscular	·        Dependent ·        Emotional ·        Caring/nurturing/selfless ·        Sensitive/kind ·        Supportive/enabling ·        Graceful ·        Weak ·        Flirtatious ·        Accepting /Passive/Submissive ·        Pretty

Ask trainees to look at the list of articles, activities and roles in the following table. Why do we associate these articles, activities and roles with men and women?

Visual Aid 2.1.2: Perceptions about Roles

Articles	Activity	Role
·   Broom ·   Motorbike ·   Saree ·   Screw-driver ·   Hammer ·   Stove ·   Tie ·   Lipstick ·   Briefcase ·   Computer	·   Sewing ·   Cooking ·   Washing Clothes ·   Reading newspaper ·   Child care ·   Cleaning ·   Fixing electric bulb ·   Driving ·   Sweeping ·   Maintaining bank account	·   Chef ·   Tailor ·   Farmer ·   Homemaker ·   Breadwinner ·   Nurse ·   Stay-at-home parent ·   Barber ·   Politician ·   Head of the family

Ask about the differences in the roles played by them? What are the expectations?

Ask whether it is essential that their roles, areas of work and qualities be different? If yes, why? 


Introduce an exercise, which enables the trainees to differentiate between gender and sex. Ask them to read the questions aloud, one by one. Ask them to decide, which statement denotes characteristics/behaviours based on sex and which are socially constructed. Request them to explain why they think so.