D. Gender and Sexuality
Many people equate the meaning of gender and sex. However, the definition of gender and sex are different. This wrong definition happens
because of the misunderstanding toward gender and sex conception. According to the Oxford Dictionary 1995:490, ―gender is the condition of
being male or female‖, while the sex 1995:1078 the state of being male or female‖. From these definitions, gender is a condition. The condition itself is
a matter that can be created or conditioned. Therefore, gender is individual distinction which is determined or conditioned by a particular culture or
social culture. The statement is supported by Butler in Ratna, 2004:224 who states that Gender is culturally psychologics as a distinction between
masculine and feminine. Meanwhile, sex is something that occurs naturally, without the influence of culture. Sex is a distinction that has been created by
God. Butler Ratna, 2004:224, sex is natural physiology to make a distinction between male-
female.‖ In some countries, gender and sexuality refer to gender, regardless to the basic definition of gender and sex. This
misunderstanding affects to the confusion on using the word of sex and gender, so that gender is always associated with sex.
The misunderstanding toward gender conception often occurs in the society. People understand gender as a God-given, and it cannot be changed.
Whereas, the concept of gender is formed of culture and society. Therefore, the conception of gender, which has been created and thought by the social
institutions and from previous generations, is not a God-given for every human being.
The lack of clarity on the meaning and conception of gender lead to gender struggle to abolish the male domination. However, the gender struggle
is not only against male supremacy, women who have conservative thinking are also the mission of the women struggle. According to Selden and
Widdowson 1993:211, sexuality ... Becomes a key issue to challenge traditional political thinking in second wave feminist criticism. Women
assume that gender and sexuality is a form of repression against women‘s
right to restrict the women movement in all respects. Ratna 2004:226 writes that culture is the cause of womens subordination on civilization, not
biologics that cause womens subordination. As a result, gender and sexuality is an important element to help analyze the second wave feminism. Because
of the importance of gender and sexuality, gender studies are needed to be conducted on discrimination analysis. According to Ratna 2004:224,
―gender studies will help researchers to see people make a difference between men and women
.‖ In conclusion, the distinction between men and women has occurred in
the long time and is created by social institutions, mainly family. Family becomes an embryo of gender system in the society.
E. Gender Discriminations
Kategori