THE idea of maleness or femaleness begins during the childs conception; and the issue of gender inequality sets in at this stage. Some couples will prefer to have a baby boy as their first child; and more male children than female children in their family. In most cultures, the excitement with which people greet the birth of a boy child exceeds that of girl child except in families have had all-male children and are eagerly expecting a girl child.In such cultures, women who give birth to male children are more honoured than the ones who give birth to female children only. The couples with male children feel more fulfilled and satisfied than the ones with female children. While couples with all-male children may stop child bearing without feeling too much the absence of a girl child, couples with girls only are not likely to do so or feel the same way. Some of them may end up adopting a male child; and some men may marry another woman hoping to get a male child through her. However, the action may strain relationships and cause rancor in the family.Certain names designated for male only and female only are indicative of the cultures preference for male children. For instance, in Igbo culture, such names as Ikedinobi (strength is in the palace), Okezue (the share is complete), Nwabike (child is strength) are for male children, while Ogaadinma (it shall be well), Nkiriuka (the future holds something better), Adaku (daughter of wealththis is in a expectation of a wealthy husband for her) are for female children. The male names suggest power, equity and strength while those of females connote hope and dependency. These names show that arrival of male children in a family spur Ive-arrived kind of feeling in the parents while that of females create the feeling of Im-yet-to-arrive.By dichotomizing male and female sexuality, and associating masculinity with fulfillment, ego, power, superiority and femininity with non-satisfaction, expectation, dependency, docility, and inferiority, the culture tactically removes self sufficiency from female sexuality. But in actuality both genders are neither inferior nor superior to each other.Male and female humans have their unique physical features which are meant to complement rather than compete with each other. Apart from the differences in the body structure, there are no established intellectual or emotional differences between men and women. Whatever differences that seem to exist in their skills and feelings are man-made and stereotyped. The power to withstand and overcome challenges resides within and not outside of a person but maneuvering of the female sexuality by the culture leaves the impression that women are bodies without souls, and are rather to be seen than heard.There is no denial of the fact that the cultural depiction of what it means to be a woman is being weak, unworthy or somewhat handicapped. That most women have internalized this misrepresentation of their sexuality early in life is apparent in the seriousness with which they pursue success and personal identity at every stage in life. Sigmund Freud, an early nineteenth century prolific writer on human sexuality observed the effect of bias culture on womens achievement when he affirmed that womens inner controls lack strength and independence that could raise cultural significance.All over the world, women are classified alongside children as disadvantaged and marginalized group. Placing a full-fledge adult woman in the same group with a growing child suggests that the adult is under-developed, and needs to be catered for as the child. The effect of this social status is that it unconsciously makes women think they are needy people who are incapable of meeting their own needs let alone making a noteworthy contribution to the development of the society without the instruction and approval of men. This cognitive distortion raises and maintains the attitude of sidon look in most women that they fail to take decision where and when necessary for the fear of incurring the anger of men. Considering this fact in the light of Freuds assertion that women inner controls are too weak to pull through cultural barriers, it is clear that gender equality may be a tall dream till gender stereotype is jettisoned.The cultural exclusion of the female right from conception has great developmental hazards in families and society at large. The cultural inhibitions limiting the nurturing of a girl child and her potency in contributing meaningfully to the society must be excised from the minds of both men and women. There are rich potentials in every human whether male or female and both genders must be given equal opportunity to work cooperatively otherwise they live in antagonism and create un-enabling environment that hinders growth and development.Please send your questions/contributions to noci4c@gmail.com
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