POWER AND GENDER IN RELATIONSHIPS
The role of power in relationships
Having power means having control over something or someone. In relationships one person
may have power over another. We call these relationships power relations.
Gender roles and stereotyping
Gender stereotyping is when people think that someone behaves or will behave in a certain
way because of their gender. For example, thinking that all girls like to cook, Men earn the
money and women spend it.
Gender roles
In society there are traditional gender roles. Men and women have different biological roles
which have influenced their roles in society. Women bear children and in the past they stayed
at home to raise the children. Men went out to work and earn the money. Men had financial
power and could decide how the money was used. Women were dependent on men, tied down
by family responsibilities
Power inequality
- some people have more rights, better opportunities and more power than
other people.
- The power balance is unfair which may lead to power struggles
- Unequal power relations can affect a person negatively, for example : some
cultures think education for girls is not important.
1.2. Abuse of power
, Individual : Physical abuse
- Using physical force to cause harm, injury, disability or death.
Family : Incest
- Sexual intercourse between people who are so closely related that they
would not be allowed to get married by law.
Cultural : mourning period
- Many cultures have religious rituals, traditions or behaviour for mourning or
grieving for someone who has died. These rules dictate the mourning
period, mourning dress code and mourning behaviour. Rules are strictly
enforced for widows.
Social : Domestic violence
- Happens when one person in a close relationship or marriage tries to
dominate and control the other person.
- Uses fear, guilt, shame, threats and physical violence to control you.
- The abuser can be either a man or a woman.
Social : Sexual violence and rape
- Any sexual act that is unwanted by the other person
- Trying to force someone to have sex with you
- Being forced to watch other people performing sexual acts
- Being forced to perform anal / oral sex
- Penetration with fingers / objects
‘GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE’ AND THE SYSTEMIC FACTORS WHICH MIGHT MAKE IT
DIFFICULT FOR POLICE OFFICERS TO DEAL WITH GENDERBASED VIOLENCE CASES
IN AN APPROPRIATE MANNER.
Gender-based violence: To cause someone physical, emotional or verbal harm because
of their gender.
Police may find it difficult to deal with GBV appropriately because: Police officers
are often so overwhelmed by admin/ a heavy workload, that they have no time to
be empathetic.
Often, police officers have seen so much, that they have become desensitised to
trauma. Police officers are often overworked which could lead to burnout.
Because of the low pay and risky nature of their jobs, police officers may be so
focused on dealing their own problems that they have no energy left for others.
The role of power in relationships
Having power means having control over something or someone. In relationships one person
may have power over another. We call these relationships power relations.
Gender roles and stereotyping
Gender stereotyping is when people think that someone behaves or will behave in a certain
way because of their gender. For example, thinking that all girls like to cook, Men earn the
money and women spend it.
Gender roles
In society there are traditional gender roles. Men and women have different biological roles
which have influenced their roles in society. Women bear children and in the past they stayed
at home to raise the children. Men went out to work and earn the money. Men had financial
power and could decide how the money was used. Women were dependent on men, tied down
by family responsibilities
Power inequality
- some people have more rights, better opportunities and more power than
other people.
- The power balance is unfair which may lead to power struggles
- Unequal power relations can affect a person negatively, for example : some
cultures think education for girls is not important.
1.2. Abuse of power
, Individual : Physical abuse
- Using physical force to cause harm, injury, disability or death.
Family : Incest
- Sexual intercourse between people who are so closely related that they
would not be allowed to get married by law.
Cultural : mourning period
- Many cultures have religious rituals, traditions or behaviour for mourning or
grieving for someone who has died. These rules dictate the mourning
period, mourning dress code and mourning behaviour. Rules are strictly
enforced for widows.
Social : Domestic violence
- Happens when one person in a close relationship or marriage tries to
dominate and control the other person.
- Uses fear, guilt, shame, threats and physical violence to control you.
- The abuser can be either a man or a woman.
Social : Sexual violence and rape
- Any sexual act that is unwanted by the other person
- Trying to force someone to have sex with you
- Being forced to watch other people performing sexual acts
- Being forced to perform anal / oral sex
- Penetration with fingers / objects
‘GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE’ AND THE SYSTEMIC FACTORS WHICH MIGHT MAKE IT
DIFFICULT FOR POLICE OFFICERS TO DEAL WITH GENDERBASED VIOLENCE CASES
IN AN APPROPRIATE MANNER.
Gender-based violence: To cause someone physical, emotional or verbal harm because
of their gender.
Police may find it difficult to deal with GBV appropriately because: Police officers
are often so overwhelmed by admin/ a heavy workload, that they have no time to
be empathetic.
Often, police officers have seen so much, that they have become desensitised to
trauma. Police officers are often overworked which could lead to burnout.
Because of the low pay and risky nature of their jobs, police officers may be so
focused on dealing their own problems that they have no energy left for others.
