2.

3
Stereotypical views of gender roles and responsibilities
Examples of gender differences as decided by societies:
o Women may earn less than men for similar work.
o Men are promoted to positions of power instead of women. For example, there are
more male school principals than female principals.
o In some societies women are not allowed to smoke or drink, but men are allowed.
o Often men are allowed to have many partners, but women are allowed only one
husband or one boyfriend.
o Male sports teams get more funding, media coverage and pay than female sports
teams.
o In some societies men are allowed to drive cars while women are not.
o In some societies women are not allowed to go out without a male family
member who serves as an escort.
o Women have to do more housework than men.
o Women play a larger role in parenting.
ouse work and looking after babies
What do you think about this view on gender roles?
• In some societies, the widow does not inherit her husband's home or money; the home
and money go to her in-laws.
• some careers are
traditionally seen as just for men or just for women. For example, pilots, mechanics,
engineers and army commanders are often seen as men's jobs, while nurses, social
workers, crèche assistants, librarians and make-up artists are seen as women's jobs.
2.4 Gender differences in participation in physical activities
Men have larger hearts and lungs than women. The difference in the amount of oxygen
they breathe has an effect on their physical performance. For example, when a man is
jogging at about 50% of his ability, a woman will need to work at over 70% of her ability
just to keep up with him.
To ensure fairness in sport, men and women are separated, so they don't compete against
each other.
o For example, due to the biological difference between women and men, men play
nve sets and women three sets in tennis tournaments.
o Similarly, men run longer distances than women in long-distance races.

Influence of gender inequality on relationships and general well-being

Differences in the status of women and men lead to unequal human rights and different
experiences of health and well-being.
Sexual abuse and violence
When girls or women are involved in relationships where power is not equal, men may
decide on the conditions under which sex happens. Sadly this may mean forced sex.
Sexual abuse includes rape, incest and violent sexual acts. It refers to any inappropriate or
wrong touching by family, friends or strangers that makes you feel uncomfortable. When
you are forced to have sex, it is sexual abuse. Report abuse immediately, and tell an adult
whom you trust.
Some men are violent towards women and beat women up. These men are uneducated and
don't understand that their greater body strength does not give them the right to abuse
women.
Internet and cellphone sexual violence is on the rise. Never send anybody, even if you trust
the person, a photo of yourself naked or in a sexual act. Often these photos end up on the
Internet or get passed around school on cellphones. This

Teenage pregnancy
Unwanted teenage pregnancy may happen because of:
o peer pressure
o lack of information on safe sex and contraception, that is, birth control and
prevention
 o poverty
o rape
o wishing to have a baby to feel loved and have somebody to love, but not wanting
the baby once it is born because you are not ready for such a responsibility
o thinking having a child will keep a relationship going or force a marriage
o being forced to get pregnant because there is no choice due to gender inequality; it
was the man's decision.
STIs including HIV and AIDS
Gender inequalities influence your exposure to sexually transmitted infections (STIs),
including HIV. In some societies males act out their masculine roles and so take control of
sexual relationships.
Gender customs may force women to be passive or obedient in sexual relationships.
This means women may not discuss or negotiate for safer sex such as condom use, or
abstention. Hence they will not be protected against STls such as HIV.
HIV is spread quickly when:
o women have no say in the use of protective measures during intercourse, such as
the use of condoms
o there is age-mixing in sexual relationships, for example when a man of 45 has a
relationship with a girl of 15
o there is more than one partner
o there is transactional sex, that is, sex that is paid for
o rape occurs.
Untreated STIs
In both females and males, untreated STis can increase the risk of HIV transmission.
Women are at higher risk because most STls go unrecognised; unlike in men, the sores or
other signs are absent or hard to see. So women do not suspect they are at risk. Even
when there are symptoms, STls in women often go untreated.

Value of participation in exercise

Programmes

3.1 Value of exercise programmes that promote fitness If you participate in exercise
programmes, it means you regularly take part in physical activities to improve your
physical fitness. The more exercise you get, the fitter and healthier you will be. As you
become fit, you will enjoy yourself because you won't feel so tired.

Cardiovascular fitness
Cardiovascular fitness means you have:
o a strong heart, which shows in a slow pulse rate; if your heart is strong, it does not
have to beat so fast
o a large lung capacity; this allows more oxygen in your blood
o lower blood pressure
o the ability to exercise your body for long periods without running out of breath or
getting tired.
Examples of activities to improve your cardiovascular fitness:
Activities that make your heart and lungs work harder will improve your cardiovascular
fitness. Some examples of activities are:
o walking
o cycling
o dancing
o aerobics
o swimming.