Gender studies

Gender studies is an interdisciplinary academic field devoted to analysing gender identity and gendered representation. It includes women's studies (concerning women, feminism, gender, and politics), men's studies and queer studies. Sometimes, gender studies is offered together with study of sexuality. These disciplines study gender and sexuality in the fields of literature, language, geography, history, political science, sociology, anthropology, cinema, media studies, human development, law, and medicine. It also analyses how race, ethnicity, location, class, nationality, and disability intersect with the categories of gender and sexuality.

History

Gender studies is a field of study that emerged in the wake of the second-wave feminism of the 1960s and 1970s. It was initially developed to examine the status and condition of women in society. Over time, the field expanded to include the study of men's, intersex, and transgender issues.

Theories and Concepts

Gender studies involves the use of gender theory, which examines the social construction of masculinity and femininity, in addition to the power relationships associated with gender. Key concepts in gender studies include gender identity, gender roles, gender equality, gender bias, and gender discrimination.

Criticism

Like any academic field, gender studies has been subject to criticism. Some critics argue that it lacks scientific rigor, while others contend that it promotes a political agenda. Despite these criticisms, gender studies continues to be a vibrant and evolving field of study.

See Also

• Feminist theory
• Masculinity
• Femininity
• Queer theory
• Transgender studies