Understanding Gender in Society

By Momase GroupMichael Rambaliku, Joshua Ali, Careen Nathan, Thecla Ingu, Feenstra,

Ben Amkui, Cathleen Bulda, Charlmaris Salto & Bilu Kasanda

PG136 Gender and Development

Outline• Definition of Gender• Construct of Gender in Society • What makes Man a man & Woman a woman• Roles of Man• Roles of Woman• Gender Restriction• What meaning given to be a man and a woman • Genders and principles of Organization• Summary

Definition of Gender

• Gender is the different roles & responsibilities oblique to a man and a Woman in a society• Define as Masculine or

Famine in most society or culture

Construct of Gender in Society

Evaluation:• It is roles and responsibility• Mostly identified as Patrilineal society• Boy’s were seen as the “pillars” of society,

therefore they were reverend.(Respected) • Brothers respected their sisters because through

her the brothers will have external relations in the form of nieces and nephews.

• Traditionally, girls play a significant role in terms of establishing social and external relationships through marriage.

• Most of the exchanges involved killing pigs and feasting with land for cases of murders, adoption or inheritance.

What makes man a man• Man that has been

initiated• Masculinity and fit to

do Work• Hereditary of

Traditional heritage (Land Owner) Seen as Patrilineal • Leadership• Peoples Oriented

What makes woman a woman

• Girls/woman who has been initiated• Hard working and lead by

examples• Woman who has known

traditional rites and obligations• Woman who is oblique in

subordination to her husband and pay loyal to the community

Roles of ManIn Momase and as the Melanesian

societies/ man is prefer to do:• Hunting• Gardening • Fishing• Build the House• Care for the Family, community

& the old ages• Mend the Fish Pond /Poultry• Leadership in keeping the

community safe & in decision making

Roles of Woman

• Care for the Children and Family welfare• Gardening (Weeding,

Harvesting & Planting)• Homemakers ( House

Job)• Ensure some food and

water is available for the family• Give advice & Mentor

young girls for marriage life ahead.

Gender Restriction

• MALE • FEMALE• All males where not

allowed to eat food prepare by woman who have menstrual cycle

• Men must not go into Haus Meri where girls initiated

• Man is oblique not to break the rules/customs as this can bring serious implications such as loss of traditional rites etc..

• Where there is a meeting, girls are not allowed to walk in front

• Females are not allowed to go in to Haus Tambaran/Man where boys is initiated

• Woman are not allowed to touch the Spears or Bow

• Traditionally, woman cannot be the head of the Family(as Matrilineal Society)

Meanings of Gender Stratification

• Gender stratification is important in these complex society. It is the way to navigate the gender implications of both man & woman in the society.• Man is defined as the real man of

possessions and responsibilities invest to him by customary rites.• Woman is also important in bringing

peace tween one tribe through marriage. They subordinate to their Husbands.

Genders and Principles of Organization

Summary

• In this 20th Century, the globalization has greatly change the ways of living in traditional society-impact gender implications.

• Most inherited in Momase region is Patrilineal • Principally, woman are submitted to their

Husbands and do other things productive in keeping the trend and reputation of the family

• Different roles of man & woman in the society• Prohibition/Restriction of gender in Momase

region

References• Bem, S. (1983). Gender Schema Theory and Its

Implications for Child Development: Raising Gender-Aschematic Children in a Gender-Schematic Society. Signs, 8(4), 598-616. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/3173685

• Rust, P. (1993). "Coming out" in the Age of Social Constructionism: Sexual Identity Formation among Lesbian and Bisexual Women. Gender and Society, 7(1), 50-77. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/190024

• Risman, B. (2004). Gender as a Social Structure: Theory Wrestling with Activism. Gender and Society, 18(4), 429-450. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/4149444

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