Cyberbullying: How to Reduce Gender Discrimination

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How to Reduce Gender Discrimination
In many countries, women are given a second-class status, as their rights are unsympathetically constrained in a lot of cases. Even in developed countries that are very advanced and have laws that are aimed at prevention of gender discrimination, women still receive less respect and also earn less compared to men. The process of reduction of gender discrimination is a disdainful goal that has a lot of obstacles. Although government regulations undoubtedly aid the situation, it is becoming apparent that they are not enough to reduce the problem of gender discrimination. Gender discrimination refers to the prejudiced treatment of an individual based on gender. Gender discrimination touches on both men and women and therefore affects both. It is evident in the workplace, whereby one gender is favored or given special treatment compared to the other. For example, one gender may receive fewer job responsibilities or less pay due to unfair stereotypes and gender bias. Additionally, gender discrimination also takes place in political organizations, educational institutions, sports as well as families. Both genders also experience discrimination during application of credit or housing facilities. Both men and women experience gender roles that are predefined by the society. These roles are unfortunately formed as well as preserved and implemented by both sexes. For these biased practices to come to an end, there must be a change in societal attitudes and values. On the other hand, equal rights need to be validated by the laws that govern countries since individual members in societies may have varied opinions and require rules to guide their rationale towards specific issues like gender discrimination. Accordingly, this paper addresses the different methods that can be embraced by all stakeholders and the society at large in an attempt to reduce this concern of gender discrimination including upbringing, education and intergroup contact.
Upbringing is a significant factor when it comes to gender discrimination. According to Oskamp (335), knowingly or unknowingly, we have all been raised in a certain way, and it subconsciously affects how we treat the people around us in different situations in addition to forming our character as individuals. It is essential for parents to be attentive to the various ways through which they help in developing gender in the upbringing of their children. Like Susan & Betsy (76) explains; naturally, children pick up gender traits at a very early age because of the people who are around them. For example, small girls start learning that they should play with dolls while the boys play with balls and trucks. Habitually, parents and guardians unconsciously encourage these types of gendered play and further aggravate the situation by discouraging or warning their children not to play with toys meant for the “other” gender. Furthermore, in some cases, parents usually encourage the boy child to be more active while the girl is instructed to play moderately. All children should be encouraged to play with whichever toy that they may find appealing or fun for them and try out new things. In this time and age, parents should also desist from reserving some chores exclusively for the girls but instead encourage both their sons and daughters to help out with the house chores. When boys assist with housework, they will not only become more responsible but also learn that chores and housework apply to everyone and not just the girls. Another mistake parents should stop making is making excuses when mistakes are made by a particular child based on the sex. For instance, it would be okay if the son has broken something in the house since he is active and allowed to be ‘boy’ or if the daughter has clogged the restroom sink with hair. Excuses also apply when it comes to grades, where one sex receives fewer expectations about their performance compared to the other. There should be similar standards unless in special cases such as health or disorders. Instead of strictly condemning violence many parents protect their daughters and warn the sons not to fight them because they are girls and not because it is wrong. This simple statement paints the picture of the girl being fragile as opposed to condemning violence in totality. All these practices would help to raise the children differently and not socialize them to have specific atti...