Deconstructing Gender Norms: How Societal Expectations Shape Access to Healthcare

Abstract

Final Paper Question 1: Gender as a Social Construct of Difference In their article “Gender norms and social norms: differences, similarities and why they matter in preventing science”, Heise and Cislaghi (2020) defines gender norms as socially constructed rules and expectations about how individual s should behave based on their perceived gender. They further add that such gender norms are deeply ingrained in society and dictate roles, attributes and behaviors considered appropriate for men and women. However, these expectations are not inherent or biological but primarily constructed and perpetuated through cultural, institutional and social practices. While arguing social norms and gender norms from the healthcare point of view, these authors confirmed that inequality emerges based on healthcares assumption of the perceived norms. As much as gender is concerned, the authors acknowledged its double nature from beliefs vested in peoples mind and those embedded in institutions adversely affecting health-related behaviors and shaping differential access to health services. What does this imply? That gender norms can limit a certain gender from accessing healthcare services based on their assumption of their might as vested in their mind while the other gender may feel inferior and entitled to treatment as their bodies are weak to fight without such interventions. While reflecting on my perspective about gender as a social construct of difference, I can confirm that I have always believed that gender norms favor men placing them in dominant public roles as breadwinners and leaders. I also have a strong belief that women are expected to occupy more submissive private roles focused on care giving and home making. Although I have grown assuming and holding such a perspective, I have also done some research to ascertain whether this is the reality from other scholars and yes I can confirm that most agree with my perspective. In their article “Good Housekeeping, Great Expectations: Gender and Housework Norms,” Thébaud and Ruppanner, (2021) confirms that a woman is closely associated with house chores and societal expectations demands women to conform to highest standards of cleanliness whether the man is in or not inside these houses. Based on this article, men are superior and deserve high-tech chores that define their superiority. Question 2: Ta-Nehisi about Race and Racism in “Between the World and Me” In this book, Ta-Nehisi Coates explores the firmly established nature of race and racism in America through a special personal narrative addressed to his son. This author emphasizes on the psychological and physical violence that racism inflicts on black bodies and their lives. While reflecting on the historical and the ongoing systemic oppression, inequality and discrimination faced by African Americans, Coates also acknowledges the fear and vulnerability associated with inhabiting a black body in a society that is primarily structured by white supremacy. Basically, the article pays special attention on the impact of race when it comes to African Americans in regard to privileges entitled to American as humans. Coates introduces the concept of whiteness arguing it as a very powerful construct that goes beyond the skin color. While reflecting on this social construct, this author cites that it serves as an identity built on exclusion and the subjection of others. In short, it serves as the main root of racism triggering all the inequalities and injustices that the people of color experiences. Unfortunately, this same social construct involves the pursuit of power and privilege implying that it dehumanizes and exploits the people of color and other minorities. It becomes a challenge to do away with whiteness as it is maintained through societal norms, institutions and policies perpetuating inequality and racial hierarchies. To this effect, Coates criticizes the idea of American dream claiming that it is strongly built on the backs of the...