Growing up is not the same for all children. The experience of growing up is shaped by the society in which we live, and one of the most important ways society shapes us is through the different expectations it has for boys and girls. From a very young age, boys and girls are treated differently and are taught different roles, which become the foundation of the way society is organised.
This chapter explores how girls and boys grow up in different ways, how the work that women and men do is valued differently, and how these differences are not natural but are created by society. By examining the lives of two children - Shanti and her brother - and the work done in households, we understand how gender roles are formed and why they matter.
The chapter tells the story of Shanti, a nine-year-old girl who lives in a village. Shanti gets up early in the morning and helps her mother with household work - cleaning the house, washing clothes, and looking after her younger siblings. She also helps her mother in the fields. Because of all this work, Shanti has no time to study or play.
Shanti's story shows how girls are expected to do household work from a young age, while their brothers may have more freedom to study and play. This is not because girls are weaker or less capable, but because society expects girls to take on these roles. The story of Shanti helps us understand how gender discrimination begins in childhood.
In almost all households, women do a large amount of work - cooking, cleaning, washing, caring for children and the elderly, and managing the home. This work is essential for the family, but it is often not valued or counted. Men also work, but their work is often done outside the home, and it is usually valued more.
The work that women do in the household is not paid, and it is often not recognised as "real" work. Yet this work is essential - without it, the family could not function, and society could not survive. The chapter argues that we need to recognise and value all work, including the work that women do in the home.
Housework is usually not given its due importance. This is because the work that women do - cooking, cleaning, and caring - is considered "natural" for women and is not paid. Work that is paid, like that done by men in offices and factories, is valued more, even though housework is equally essential.
The low value given to housework has serious consequences. Women who do only housework are often dependent on others for money, and their contribution to the family and society is not recognised. Recognising and valuing housework is important for achieving equality between men and women.
Boys and girls are brought up differently in almost all societies. Girls are usually expected to help with household work, while boys may be allowed more freedom to play and study. Girls may be discouraged from going out alone, while boys may be allowed more mobility. These differences are not natural but are created by society and its expectations.
The different treatment of boys and girls continues into adulthood. Men are expected to be the earners for the family, while women are expected to be the caretakers of the home. These roles are so deeply entrenched that they seem natural, but they are actually social constructions that can be changed.
The different treatment of boys and girls can be harmful. Girls may be denied education because they are expected to do household work. They may be married early, and they may have fewer opportunities than boys. The discrimination against girls and women deprives society of their talents and abilities, and it is a violation of the fundamental principle of equality.
Throughout history, women have worked hard - in the fields, in the home, and in the workplace - but their work has often not been recognised or counted. In many societies, women's work in the fields and farms is not counted as "work," even though it is essential for the family's livelihood.
Today, more and more women are working outside the home, in offices, schools, factories, and the professions. Yet even when they do the same work as men, women are often paid less. Achieving recognition and equal value for women's work is an important part of the struggle for gender equality.
Attitudes towards work and gender are gradually changing. More girls are going to school, more women are working outside the home, and the contributions of women are being recognised. The government has also passed laws to protect the rights of women, such as the Equal Remuneration Act, which provides for equal pay for equal work.
However, much remains to be done. Housework is still not fully valued, women are still paid less than men in many places, and girls still face discrimination. The chapter argues that we all need to change our attitudes and treat boys and girls, men and women, with equal respect and dignity.
| Aspect | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| Expected role | Household work, caring | Freedom to play, study |
| Mobility | Often restricted | More freedom |
| Education | May be denied | Usually prioritised |
| Adulthood role | Caretaker of the home | Earner for the family |
| Type | Examples | Valued? |
|---|---|---|
| Paid work outside home | Office, factory, teaching | Valued and counted |
| Unpaid housework | Cooking, cleaning, caring | Not counted or valued |
| Women's farm work | Field labour | Often not counted |
Growing up as boys and girls is shaped much more by society than by nature. From childhood, girls like Shanti are expected to do household work while boys enjoy more freedom, and these differences continue into adulthood. The essential work that women do in the home is unpaid and often unrecognised, while paid work outside the home is valued more. These inequalities are not inevitable - they are created by society and can be changed. Recognising the value of all work, treating boys and girls with equal respect, and challenging gender stereotypes are essential steps towards a more equal and just society.