Gender identifies who we are in terms of male and female features that are socially made. They are the customs, behavior, and responsibilities linked with being a male or female and the connection with one another. However, some individuals do not fit into traditional binary concepts of the gender of male and female, and they have non-binary gender characteristics, while others are transgender, whereby their gender identity is dissimilar from the sex that the physician gave them when they were born centered on how their body appearances. Transgender persons have several terms to define themselves. Trans and non-binary individuals are at the greatest risk of inequality, social stigma, discrimination, and harassment when they come out. Transgender people are increasingly visible in society and the media as the majority have identified themselves and shared their experiences with others (rainbow, 2021). Transgender people embrace customs and behaviors that are not generally linked to their assigned birth gender. They usually express their gender through talking, dressing, acting, hairstyles, and other characters. Some transgender individuals undertake medical procedures to alter their bodies to make them more well-matched with their gender identity. The medical procedures can be surgery and hormone therapy. Transgender persons can be straight, gay or lesbian, or bisexual. Gay and lesbians are enticed to persons of similar sex, while bisexuals are appealed to men and women (WebMD, 2021).
Most gender talks are exclusively concentrated on women and girls, which should not be the case. Additionally, gender problems are viewed as women’s problems. Gender discussions should involve every type. Harmful gender customs lead to various kinds of inequalities among trans and non-binary. Gender inequality harms all genders, and it must be recognized. Gender inequality involves discrimination centered on the individual’s sex or gender, whereby certain genders or sex are normally prioritized over another. The discrimination hinders the genders from exercising their complete and equal human rights. Gender equality is a human right, and gender inequalities are everywhere, from home to the workplace. Gender equality is an essential groundwork for a peaceful, successful, and viable future. Many are still looking forward to a world that will prioritize gender equality, and everyone will be equally identified and valued, irrespective of gender. Where everyone will have access to equal responsibilities and opportunities irrespective of gender customs, gender equality will result in more stable, safe, and successful communities with happier and better-cultured people (children, 2022).
Gender inequality is also mainly viewed from a female and male perspective. The other types of genders are rarely recognized as part of gender. From birth, gender inequality is there as there are gender and social norms regarding expectations and access to opportunities and resources. Boys are expected to go to school, work, get money, do difficult chores, etc., whereas girls are expected to do household responsibilities, depending on the boy for providence, and give birth. There has been attention to transgender and non-binary persons lately. Trans and non-binary youths have become more visible in the media and society. They are increasingly coming out and sharing their genders with others. The world has not taken their visibility to the media and society lightly. The trans and non-binary have encountered gender inequality in their walks of life. The world does not want to accept them into society due to the different beliefs and cultures lined the trans and non-binary. People are yet to understand how one would desire to be another gender that they were not born. In the United States, at least eight in ten individuals accept that there is discrimination against transgender people. Trans and non-binary people are experiencing inequality in jobs, housing, access to public amenities, media, education, entertainment, etc. (Parker, Horowitz, & Brown, 2022).
Transgender and non-binary persons have found it hard to secure and uphold jobs because of their gender identity and expression. The rate of unemployment among transgender and non-binary persons is high compared to the cisgender group whose identity matches their birth gender. These two groups of other genders have experienced hostile employment results of firing, lack of hire, and denial of a raise. Additionally, the expression of their identity has influenced their salary. Transgender women are mainly affected by the charge of their salary compared to transgender men. Also, black transgender people are at risk of poor job salaries compared to white transgender people. Transgender and non-binary people have made several known problems in their places of work that impact their capability to be relaxed in their work surroundings, indicating the diversity of involvements transgender persons have. Transgender people who are transitioning have problems in their places of work due to a lack of processes for making sure that others in the place of work are cognizant of how to treat a transgender individual who is transitioning (Davidson, 2016).
The daily life of a human is spent judging persons and characterizing them according to what they see. Transgender and non-binary people in the place of work find it difficult to access the bathroom. The majority report being denied the right to use bathrooms and being orally or bodily attacked in bathrooms. They are forced to evade public bathrooms and spend more time looking for bathrooms that are not frequently used to avoid coming into contact with people there. Transgender and non-binary people dress according to how they identify themselves, and certain dress codes bring them difficulty, which may result in them getting laid off from their jobs for disobeying the workplace’s dress code guidelines (Davidson, 2016).
Educational accomplishments are used in making decisions concerning course placement, high school achievement, and college entry of the youths. Transgender and non-binary youths display educational disadvantages. They have shoddier educational results, poorer test marks, and greater degrees of course failures compared to their cisgender classmates. The course failures often result in dropping out of school for trans and non-binary youths, resulting in a lower rate of college preparatory course finishing and decreased rates of postsecondary registration among the transgender. Transgender and non-binary youths are open to the same great levels of gender-centered minority stress in contrast to cisgender youths though non-binary youths may encounter higher levels of cis-sexism. The non-binary youths may also go through minimal availability to identity-centered resources as they are regularly left out by the transgender society and stigmatized by medical society with a claim that they are not trans adequate and for not doing transgender in accord with the created medical rules and anticipations. However, non-binary youths have greater educational achievement rates than transgender. Transgender and non-binary youths are more likely to fail a greater fraction of high school courses. Non-binary youths are less probable to fail courses and are more probably to join college compared to transgender youths. Also, transgender and non-binary youths have the minimal fitting to a school and go through the same levels of minority stress in secondary schools (Wilkinson, Shifter, & Pearson, 2021).
Gender impacts our daily lives in various ways as there is a way in which we are expected to carry ourselves, responsibilities to do, and the opportunities accessible to us. Gender impacts our interaction style with others and how we express ourselves. Gender influences us all differently according to the environment that we are in. We grow up according to the community customs and standards. We never get to choose what we want to do ourselves. We are never given the option of wanting to join school or not. Growing up, we were made to believe there are chores for boys and girls and that every gender should stick to their responsibilities. At times, the interaction between the two genders required an adult to supervise them as it was believed the male would harm the female. Gender has influenced my life in different ways. Household chores are believed to be of girls, and therefore being a male, I have grown up not doing the girls’ chores of cooking, washing utensils, doing laundry, mopping the house, watching soap operas, etc. my parents always had a way in ensuring my clothes are clean, and I eat. I never help my sisters in the kitchen as it is not a man’s role. This has influenced my life because I cannot fix a simple meal for myself when there is no female in the house. I always find it difficult even to clean the utensils after use. I have sought assistance ensuring my laundry is done as my sisters can no longer do it for me. However, I have grown up knowing as a man that I am supposed to succeed no matter the obstacles. Men are not meant for failure. I have always worked hard in my academics to ensure I do my best as a man, and no female in my class should be ahead of me. Also, I have looked for a job that I work after classes as a man; I should not depend on my parents for providence. I no longer live in their house. The notion that, as a man, I should be successful financially and educationally has seen me always have the drive to succeed in this area.
Gender has resulted in us having different perceptions of our female peers and other genders. At times, I view them as inferior and, at times, as competitors. Women and other genders have been rising to positions believed to be of men, and they face many challenges in those positions, such as discrimination due to the negative influence gender has had on our lives. We should aim to change and not allow gender to influence us in unpleasing ways. Supporting each other regardless of our gender should be the aim. A united world is a happy world. The next generations should grow up in a world where gender does not influence their lives.
Education allows learners to understand and use knowledge and ideas, and it is through teaching that these skills are transmitted to them. Gender equity ensures fairness in education for all genders and opposes favoritisms and labels that have generally restricted a child’s potential. Education is a right of every individual, and it is important irrespective of gender identity. Education in children changes societies, nations, and the whole world. Gender equity in education is appreciated for individual, societal, political, economic, and philosophical reasons. Gender equity will allow the students to personally grow themselves and optimize their complete potential irrespective of their gender roles. Gender equality in education is of benefit to every child. Girls, transgender, and non-binary have mainly been getting impacted by gender inequality in education. Girls who get an education evade early marriages and live healthy and productive lives. The majority of transgender students feel insecure in school, which affects their academic attainment in severe and dangerous methods (Acai, Mercer-Mapstone, & Guitman, 2022). Gender equality in education should give equal opportunities and resources to every individual to uplift their lives. Their academic journey destinations should not be determined by their gender, and the schools should allow competitiveness among all genders. Through every individual becoming educated, the country will grow even in making decisions. A country will be subjected to educated leaders. Equality in education gives all genders a chance to satisfy their potential. Boys have been given the frontline when it comes to education, and the biasness should be eliminated and gender equity promoted. Gender equality in education achievement will allow all students to freely pursue their education without worrying about harassment or discrimination due to gender (Sahin, 2014).
Encouraging students to gain power in their gender identity and treating persons compassionately with diverse identities can make a difference. To achieve gender equity in every area, education should be in the lead in achieving gender equity. Gender discrimination in education begins right in primary schools, resulting in dropouts, which is why education is the leading area in fighting for gender equity. Teachers have the chance to change the way learners see gender. Teachers should stop separating girls and boys students in the classroom. Separating the male and female students hinders the likelihood of them socializing with each other, and also, it makes the non-binary students feel uncomfortable and seen as they may not be ready to come out and let their gender known, and this results in discrimination. Also, teachers should evade using the girls vs. boys or male vs. female examples in the classroom as the non-binary will feel uncomfortable, and also the vs. shows a comparison, which is not good as it may result in the other feeling inferior. Therefore, teachers should be mindful of the gender language used (Klein, Richardson, Fox, & Kramarae, 2014).
Additionally, the boys have been made to feel superior all through their upbringing, and they tend to look down upon girls and other genders, whereas girls have been taught to be polite and calm, and male students misinterpret this for fear. Teachers should not permit the boys to interject with the girls when they are talking. The male students should be aware that interrupting someone as they speak is rude, and they should not do that to their fellow female students. Cheering for the boys to listen to the other genders and the girls to speak up about their views assist in solving the matter early enough. Students learn from what they are taught. The teachers must promote teamwork among the students and inspire the student to work together regardless of their gender, and this will teach them that gender does not matter at all.
Students present in school are from different religions, customs, and backgrounds. Many students believe what the teachers say to be true, and therefore it is easy for the teachers to enhance equity by evading the use of labels that will affect a student’s self-esteem. Some of the common labels include “blue for boys,” “pink for girls,” “caring for girls,” and “tough for boys.” As understated as they are, they could impact a student’s self-esteem. Girls may avoid carrying or wearing anything blue as it is associated with boys and vice versa, and they may get bullied for it. For the non-binary, they may feel left out.
Reading influences students’ thoughts and behaviors. Stories inspire students, and they relate to them. Literature used in the books depicts different versions of girls, boys, transgender, etc. the students may be trying to do as the book says to be seen to be of a certain gender or discriminate against fellow students due to the views stated by the book. School books mainly show boys in active responsibilities while girls care for children. Women’s roles in the books are limited and some victimize women. Therefore, literature in our books should be comprehensive and free of gender labels. Reading literature on women being scientists and boys being nurses will inspire the students to view careers and roles not being gender-based. Also, this will stop the students from thinking that they cannot aspire to be in particular careers due to their gender. Words such as policewoman, chairman, fireman, etc. should be avoided and instead use chairperson, firefighter, police officer. Also, the books should not exhibit women as weak characters and they should show the positive side of the women (Sensoy & DIAngelo, 2017).
In conclusion, many say we cannot be equal no matter how hard we try. However, we can achieve that if we are intentional about it. Education is the leading in ensuring gender equity is promoted. Education is used to enlighten the students more on why gender doesn’t matter. Students can be advised to work in teamwork to promote gender equity. Gender equity changes societies, nations and the whole world. Gender equity in education is appreciated for individual, societal, political, economic, and philosophic reasons. Gender equity will allow the students to personally grow themselves and optimize their complete potential irrespective of their gender roles.
References
Acai, A., Mercer-Mapstone, l., & Guitman, R. (2022). engaging students as partners to promote gender equity in higher education. teaching in higher education, vol 27 n1, 18-38.
children. (2022). save the children. Retrieved from save the children website: https://www.save the children.org/us/charity-stories/how-gender-discrimination-impacts-boys-and-girls/
Davidson, S. (2016). “Gender Inequality: Nonbinary Transgender People in the Workplace. https://doi.org/10.7275/7812146 https://scholarworks.umass.edu/masters_theses_2/321, 3-6.
Klein, s. S., Richardson, B., Fox, L. H., & Kramarae, C. (2014). handbook for achieving gender equity through education. Routledge.
Parker, K., Horowitz, J. M., & Brown, A. (2022, June 28). PEW research center. Retrieved from PEW research center website: https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2022/06/28/americans-complaex-views-on-gender-identity-and-transgender-issues
Rainbow. (2021). rainbow project. Retrieved from rainbow project website: https://www.rainbowproject.org/what-we-do-mean-by-trans-or-non-binary
Sahin, E. (2014). gender equity in education. open journal of social sciences,2; https://dx.dio.org/10.423/jss.2014.21007, 59-63.
Sensoy, O., & DIAngelo, R. (2017). is everyone equal?: an introduction to key concepts in social justice education. In O. Sensoy, & R. DIAngelo, is everyone equal?: an introduction to key concepts in social justice education (pp. 102-11). new york: teachers college press.
WebMD. (2021, may 20). WebMD. Retrieved from WebMD website : https://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/what-is-transgender
Wilkinson, L., Shifter, D., & Pearson, J. (2021). educational outcomes of gender-diverse youths. gender and society: official publication of sociologists for women in society; doi:10.1177/08912432211038689.
write