Gender Issues Based on Life Cycle

Gender Issues Based on Life Cycle Reproductive Process The healthy reproductive process includes: 1. Production of a healthy egg 2. Conception 3. The result of conception that can survive 4. Growth and development of the fetus 5. Smooth labor 6. Growth and development of the baby into a healthy baby and adult 7. Healthy parents. Understanding Gender Men and women differ substantially in power, status and freedom. Men generally have more "power" than women. "Power" is a broad concept that describes an individual's ability or freedom to make decisions and act in ways such as choosing and controlling access to resources owned by others. Gender Type There are two types of gender, namely 1. "Power to" describes the ability of individuals to control their lives and to use resources in their favor. 2. "Power over" means that individuals can assert their will, even in the face of opposition and force others to act against their will. Power differences between men and women are not absolute or universal. The poo uneducated, unemployed have less power Female gender roles give women power but it is limited and influenced by: 1) Culture, 2) Age 3) Income 4) education. Life Cycle Approach Infants and Children Traditional practices that are harmful during childhood (such as genital mutilation (female circumcision), discrimination in child value, sex selection, and discrimination in nutrition and health care. Gender role conditioning: education, nutrition, violence, and job allocation. Problems that may occur: Female circumcision, domestic violence, and child exploitation. Early Adolescence - Late Adolescence The period of gender role molding begins: Influence of friends, High curiosity, Hormonal changes. Problems that arise: Teenage marriage or pregnancy, Risky sexual behavior. Reproductive adolescent males are more free in expressing their sexuality than adolescent females. Potentially harmful sexual attitudes and behaviors can be formed during youth and are often difficult to change after adulthood. Early Adulthood (Unmarried) Internalized gender roles: begin to have productive and reproductive roles. Problems that can arise: Marriage, pregnancy, abortion, violence and sexual roles. Adult (Married) Gender roles are entrenched. Risk of reproductive health problems: maternal morbidity, risk of unwanted pregnancy, lack of access to health services, use of family planning services (lack of male involvement), violence, marital unfaithfulness: STIS. Gender Roles in the Past Gender roles of men and women in the past: Preventing couples from having discussions about sexuality. Allow or condone risky sexual behavior. May contribute to poor reproductive health for both men and women. The goal of gender equality programs at the family level is to motivate men to adopt positive gender roles and become: Caring Fathers and Supportive Husbands. Men are often the main determinants of decision-making and behavior related to reproduction. Such as sexual activity, fertility and contraceptive use. Elderly The period of diminished gender roles. Problems that may arise: Pre-menopause and Post-menopause: Loss of sexual desire economic power. Chronic illness or NCDs, cancer. Widows and widowers: dependence on daughter's care. Gender Influence on Reproductive Health Gender is only one of many factors that affect a person's reproductive health status, in addition to other factors, namely: 1. Level of education. 2. Social expectations. 3. Socio-economic status. 4. Exposure to information in mass media. 5. Personal experience. 6. Future expectations. 7. Religion. Lifelong Gender Issues 1. Gender-based violence. 2. Men and women differ substantially in power, status and freedom. 3. Men are often the primary determinants of decision-making and behaviors related to reproduction.