The matters concerning gender socialization starts at birth and are experienced through the agents of socialization which include mass media, education, peer groups, and family. The repeated socialization that happens over a long period leads both the men and women into a false sense of acting naturally, rather than following the rules that have been socially constructed. Existence of gender stereotypes forms the basis prejudicial sexism and beliefs, which promote valuing of one sex over the other. Research shows that, in Russia, there is a wide wage gap, which is cannot be related to the lower qualifications of women compared to the men. Labor market segregation and occupational segregation have been observed to dominate a large percentage of the Russian population (Jones 21). The Russian society fails to equate the roles of men and women in the society. Men are considered superior to women, including in the education systems, career fields, and in job opportunities. The phenomenon that exists of gender bias, where men are considered superior to women should be abolished, and women should be treated equally to men.
The constitution of the Russian federation lacks the definition of discrimination against women. The Russian constitution ignores the prohibition of sex-based discriminated, which has dominated most parts of the Russia. However, the constitution declares equality between both genders in Russia. In Russia, women are viewed as men’s property, and sexual objects (Kay 53). This objectification is the main cause of some phenomena as rape, verbal abuse, domestic violence, and sexual harassment in the society. Moreover, Russia lacks a law that focuses on the domestic violence, which men commit against women. The constitution of Russia only prohibits the coercion to sexual intercourse, meaning that the other forms of sexual harassment, which includes women and girls international trafficking, have been ignored.
The difference in earnings between the male and female employees in Russia shows the growing rate of gender inequality. The labor market of Russia has been faced by unequal opportunities between men and women (Ashwin 34). The Russian women have experienced suffering due to the prolonged conflict in the area. The Russian federation is faced by the challenge through which they lack a body that functions as the machinery that controls the gender equality machinery across the Russian government agencies. Russian institutions such as Committee on women should take the role of ensuring equality between both the males and females in Russia. However, such organizations fail to coordinate and perform their duties efficiently because the Russian government shows no interest through financial support to the institutions.
Some of the women in the Russian federation bear a burden of doing unpaid labor in the homes, which include raising children. There is an increase of feminization and poverty in Russia, which has been caused by the increase of single mothers who have children (Jones 27). Public discussion that emphasizes on the matter concerning women should be encouraged in Russia. The public discussions will help eradicate the negative trends concerning women in the society. Russia should adopt an antidiscrimination legislation, which should be enforced. The setting up of a progressive women’s movement is important in reviving, and fighting for the rights of women in the society. The issue concerning women and gender should be considered seriously because women play a crucial role in the society, regardless the fact that women have faced discrimination.
Works cited
Ashwin, Sarah. Adapting to Russia's new labour market gender and employment behaviour. London: Routledge, 2006. Print.
Jones, Jackie M.. Gender, sexualities and law. Oxon: Routledge, 2011. Print.
Kay, Rebecca. Russian women and their organizations: gender, discrimination, and grassroots women's organizations, 1991-96. New York: St. Martin's Press, 2000. Print
