The European Union is coming closer together and women such as Angela Merkel, the Federal Chancellor of Germany, play ever more important roles in the definition of European policy. Furthermore, the European gender-policies have been reaching importance since the Fourth International Conference on Women in Beijing.
Strive for equal rights mirrors the composition of the European Parliament, where women are becoming more prominent, but not yet as prominent as men. Additionally not only women as politicians develop since the emergence of gender mainstreaming. This political strategy comprises the behavior of politicians, the behavior of the society whether they go voting or not and finally the economy, also regarded from both sides – the employer and the employee.
It always was and still is a long and exhausting struggle for women in politics and the economy to be taken seriously. Although women obtain a high profile they often do not reach the same important positions as men do. As we can see in the European Commission - there are eight women and 19 men. Men represent hereby the most important departments.
Due to those facts the thesis of this term paper is: “Due to the modern European policy concerning the gender mainstreaming women are not yet equal players in the economical and political system of the European Union”.
This paper aims to show the development as well as the current situation of women in the economy as well as in European politics. Women indeed reach higher level positions in the European politics and large enterprises nowadays and they also have almost the same rights as men have in Western Europe. But they still cannot reach the same degree of responsibility as their male colleagues do. In some areas of politics as well as business the emancipation is already quite sophisticated. Although in Germany we have a woman as a chancellor, there are still a higher number of men dominating economy and politics.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Important Definitions
2.1 Definition of gender
2.2 Definition of mainstreaming
2.3 Definition and origins of the gender mainstreaming
3. The Development of gender mainstreaming in European policy
3.1 Gender mainstreaming and the European Union
3.2 The development of women’s politics
3.3 Women in the European Constitution
4. Gender gaps in the European Union
4.1 Gender gaps in the economy
4.2 Gender gaps in voting
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This paper examines whether women function as equal stakeholders within the economic and political systems of the European Union. By analyzing the implementation of gender mainstreaming strategies, the research highlights the persistent disparities between political rhetoric and the practical realities of gender equality in European governance and the labor market.
- The theoretical distinction between biological sex and socially constructed gender roles.
- The evolution of gender mainstreaming as a strategic policy within the European Union.
- Barriers to political leadership and representation for women in EU institutions.
- Socioeconomic factors contributing to the gender pay gap and workforce segregation.
- Shifting patterns of electoral behavior and political priorities among women in Western democracies.
Excerpt from the Paper
2.1 Definition of gender
First of all it is important to differentiate between sex and gender. The sex identity is a physical difference between man and woman and defines the biological function of chemical hormones (Ford, 2002, p.7). The most decisive difference is the fact that only women are able to give birth to and breastfeed a child. Gender, on the other hand, is described as a society’s interpretation of sexual personalities and certain norms and values of each gender that differ in almost every culture (ibid). The author claims that the human nature consists of biology and environment. But the biology, which means the simple sex differences, might not be the main barrier to women’s equality (ibid, p. 8). Scott claims that gender implies what it means to be either a man or a woman in a certain place and time (1998, p.7). Additionally, the author states that the set meanings belonging to masculinity or femininity change “from era to era and from culture to culture”. That means that people’s attitudes towards masculine and feminine attributes differ from culture to culture which underlines the notion of Bothfeld, Gronbach and Riedmüller (2002, p.22). The society often puts males on a level with masculinity and females with femininity but in this way they do not automatically go together. Masculine women and feminine men exist as well (Scott, 1998, p.7). Further Scott argues that gender is something social. It describes how, in particular cultures, men and women are typically supposed to present them (ibid). This leads again to the conclusion that gender is something completely different than the sex. To illustrate that the author mentions that gender behaviour is something that can be learned and that even can be changed. Gender is socially constructed and each one develops unique understandings of gender that includes social class, ethnic background, place of resident and generation (ibid). Recapitulating it is to say that gender is more much more than the sex. It means a social and cultural gender-role which can be adopted or rejected (Bothfeld et al., 2002, p.22).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the significance of women in European policy and states the thesis that women are not yet equal players in the EU political and economic system.
2. Important Definitions: Clarifies essential terminology, distinguishing between biological sex, social gender roles, and the institutional process of mainstreaming.
3. The Development of gender mainstreaming in European policy: Traces the evolution of gender equality strategies from international conferences to EU treaties and addresses barriers in political leadership.
4. Gender gaps in the European Union: Examines ongoing disparities in the economy, such as the pay gap, and explores the changing nature of gender-based electoral behavior.
5. Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, confirming that while gender mainstreaming is an active strategy, structural and cultural hurdles continue to hinder true equality.
Keywords
Gender Mainstreaming, European Union, Gender Equality, Political Participation, Gender Pay Gap, Social Construction, Women in Politics, Labor Market, Gender Roles, Structural Barriers, Electoral Behavior, Empowerment, Institutional Policy, European Constitution, Socioeconomic Status.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this term paper?
The paper explores whether modern European policies have succeeded in making women equal participants in the Union's political and economic structures.
What are the core thematic areas discussed?
Key areas include the definitions of gender, the development of EU gender mainstreaming policies, political representation, economic disparities, and voting patterns.
What is the central research question?
The core thesis is that despite modern policy initiatives, women are still not equal players in the political and economic systems of the EU.
Which methodology is applied in this research?
The study utilizes a theoretical literature review, analyzing policy documents, treaty frameworks, and existing sociological studies on gender equality.
What does the main body cover?
It covers the historical evolution of women's politics, the structural challenges within EU institutions, and specific empirical data regarding the gender pay gap and voting trends.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Primary keywords include Gender Mainstreaming, European Union, Political Participation, and Gender Pay Gap.
How does the author define the difference between sex and gender?
The author defines sex as a biological state related to reproductive hormones and functions, while gender is characterized as a socially and culturally constructed role that can change over time.
What is the "dealignment theory" as mentioned in the text?
It is a concept used to explain shifting electoral behaviors, where traditional ties between social groups (like religion or class) and political parties have weakened, leading to new political priorities based on gender and individual values.
- Quote paper
- Stefanie Ehemann (Author), 2007, Gender mainstreaming in the European Union, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/83422
