Gender and Society
There are many different kinds of society, and many different beliefs and
attitudes within Christianity in regard to gender
Christianity has traditionally taught that men and women were created
by God to have different qualities. Marriage is ordained by God so that
men and women can live together and raise children together. The Bible
teaches that within a marriage, a man should be in charge and his wife
should submit to his authority
However, feminists argue that women should have the same rights as
men and object to the idea that men have a natural authority over
women
Secular society also presents challenges to traditional Christian teaching
with rising divorce rates, a growing acceptance of same-sex relationships
and a growing number of children being born to parents who are not
married
Some Christians are keen to defend the traditional views of heterosexual
marriage and clearly defined gender roles
Others want to reconsider Christian teaching to make it more inclusive
of different genders and different kinds of families
Some thinkers have rejected Christianity because they see its teaching
on gender as incompatible with contemporary society and the rights of
women – e.g. Mary Daly
Changing views of gender roles:
Traditionally, men have held the power in Western society. Gradually,
often through the efforts of feminists, women’s rights have increased,
and today many people do not accept the view that men have a right to
be in charge just because they are men
Biological sex and gender:
There is a difference between biological sex and gender
Foucault analysed sexuality – lesbians, gay men, bisexual, transgender…
There are many different kinds of society, and many different beliefs and
attitudes within Christianity in regard to gender
Christianity has traditionally taught that men and women were created
by God to have different qualities. Marriage is ordained by God so that
men and women can live together and raise children together. The Bible
teaches that within a marriage, a man should be in charge and his wife
should submit to his authority
However, feminists argue that women should have the same rights as
men and object to the idea that men have a natural authority over
women
Secular society also presents challenges to traditional Christian teaching
with rising divorce rates, a growing acceptance of same-sex relationships
and a growing number of children being born to parents who are not
married
Some Christians are keen to defend the traditional views of heterosexual
marriage and clearly defined gender roles
Others want to reconsider Christian teaching to make it more inclusive
of different genders and different kinds of families
Some thinkers have rejected Christianity because they see its teaching
on gender as incompatible with contemporary society and the rights of
women – e.g. Mary Daly
Changing views of gender roles:
Traditionally, men have held the power in Western society. Gradually,
often through the efforts of feminists, women’s rights have increased,
and today many people do not accept the view that men have a right to
be in charge just because they are men
Biological sex and gender:
There is a difference between biological sex and gender
Foucault analysed sexuality – lesbians, gay men, bisexual, transgender…
