Notes on Family, Gender Roles and Identity
Overview
The lecture covers: family, family as a social conditioning tool, family influence on politics, gender roles, gender identity and autonomy, and conclusions.
Key Definitions
Family (definition 1): A group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head (Merriam Webster Dictionary Online).
Family (definition 2): A social group characterized by common residence, economic cooperation and reproduction; includes adults of both sexes at least two of whom maintain a socially approved sexual relationship, and one or more children, own or adopted of the sexually co-habiting adults. (George P. Murdock, ).
Types of Family Structures
Nuclear/conjugal family – husband, wife and unmarried children (not of age).
Matrifocal family – a mother and her children; mother is center.
Extended family – network of relatives.
Family of choice – common with the queer community.
Blended family – or stepfamily, family with mixed parents.
Monogamous family – legal, one official partner.
Polygamous family – marriage that includes more than two partners (polygyny/polyandry).
There are types listed above.
Family as a Social Conditioning Tool
Social conditioning is the process by which individuals learn and internalize the norms and values of their society.
Learning occurs through family upbringing, education, media, and peer interactions.
Families are the foundation of social conditioning, instilling societal norms, values, and behaviors from early childhood.
The family’s values and way of life shape a community as beneficial or detrimental.
Changes in Family Structures (PNG Context)
Traditional vs. New Traditional vs. New family structures in PNG.
Some individuals and families live on the fringes of society; they need recognition because they have human rights too.
Definition: gender role is the role or behavior learned by a person as appropriate to their gender, determined by prevailing cultural norms. (Oxford Living Dictionaries).
Debate: Traditional vs. New – Men provide and women nurture the family vs. Both man and woman provide for the family.
Family Influence Politics
As family forms change, parental influence on a child’s ideology remains vital in today’s society.
In politics, families influence the type of ideology and beliefs they want their family to follow.
Example: Queer families push for policies supporting same-sex marriage; conservative families push for traditional family values.
How are Gender Roles Changing?
Question: Do we stay with the norm or adapt?
LGBTI in Papua New Guinea
What roles do LGBTI individuals perform? How do they fit into society?
LGBTI communities are common in Western countries.
Many developing countries still have not fully accepted these communities.
Gender Identity
Definition: One’s innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither; how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves.
One’s gender identity can be the same or different from the sex assigned at birth. (Human Rights Campaign definition).
Pronouns and Gender Identity
Common pronouns include: /THEY, /HIM, HER/THEM.
Pronouns may reflect gender identity and cultural context; respect and usage matter.
Third Gender Concept
Communal vs. individual oriented societies have different levels of acceptance.
Third Gender example: faafafine in Samoa – men raised as female and identify with that gender; they mostly have relationships with heterosexual men and are generally not considered gay.
Conclusion
With change comes challenges: part of a global village, change is inevitable.
Culture is fluid; norms from 50 years ago may be replaced by new/hybrid practices.
Examples: education, employment, self-sustainability, and participation in monetary society resemble past roles (haus-man/haus-boi) in new forms.
Perceptions and Acceptance of Change
Reflect on your own perceptions and acceptance of ongoing cultural change and gender role evolution.