Gender Studies encompasses a series of courses, degrees, masters... related to the gender perspective. To give an example, there is currently a degree (university degree) with that nomenclature in Spain. One of the public universities that offer this degree is the UAB (Autonomous University of Barcelona).
Before mentioning 15 good reasons to study this career, we are going to answer the following questions: what are gender studies? where do they allow you to work? Later, we will explain each of these 15 reasons, of very diverse origin.
What is Gender Studies?
Gender Studies, as its name indicates, are focused on dealing with the gender perspective. The gender perspective, also called “gender approach”, includes the different mechanisms that allow us to study how they have been built culturally (and socially) the categories of “masculine” and “feminine”
That is, how what is identified as masculine and what is identified as feminine has been constructed; This alludes to clothing, accessories, professional itineraries, social categories, professions, objects, qualities, etc. This different categorization hides, in reality, a real inequality between genders, and that exists in all social classes and practically in all cultures of the world.
Where are you allowed to work?
Gender Studies allow you to work in public or private institutions, in companies, international organizations, associations, the media, etc. , where the gender perspective is a central theme, to be developed and taken into account.
The degree allows the design and implementation of equality plans in said institutions, as well as the development of gender equality protocols, etc.
15 reasons to study Gender Studies
We are going to see 15 reasons to study Gender Studies, useful in case you are considering this option and have doubts.
one. Novelty
Gender Studies encompasses a series of academic formations (whether official or unofficial) that are very new, that is, that have only been in force for a short time .
This degree of novelty may arouse the interest of many students, since it is also related to the fact that Gender Studies constitute a very current source of knowledge, that is, closely connected to the current political and social environment. We will address this last reason in the next point.
2. Present
That is, in addition to being a set of novel knowledge, they are also very current. In other words, the current situation at a social and political level, both in Spain and in many other countries, is that of a situation of fight against gender inequalities.
These inequalities can be de alt with through Gender Studies, which make it possible to design action plans that eliminate said inequalities.
3. Vocation
Another reason to study these studies is the vocation. Vocation is a passion that one feels inside in relation to a profession. If you feel that your vocation is gender studies, you have a very good reason to embark on this path.
4. Equality
Gender Studies promote values such as equality and freedom of individuals, among others.Specifically, this equality that is promoted is between men and women. These values are very positive for society, and can connect with the previous point (vocation).
5. I respect
Another of the values promoted by this type of study is respect for men and women, regardless of their sexual orientation or condition. If this value is part of our value system, we also have another reason to start Gender Studies.
6. Diversity of contents
The contents provided through Gender Studies are very diverse (whether in the degree, career...).
Thus, they deal with anthropology, language, sexuality, law, communication, identity, work, stereotypes, history, economy, education, family , etc. As we can see, they are topics belonging to many areas, which give them a plus of interest to this type of training.
7. Professional outings
Professional opportunities are also diverse. As we have seen at the beginning, with Gender Studies (the specific degree), you can work in public or private companies, public or private organizations (linked to the economic and labor world, for example), public and social policy consultancies, international organizations (for example Red Cross, United Nations, NGO's…), etc.
In other words, the fields of work are very diverse, since it is a very versatile career.
8. Help others
If your way of being involves helping others, this career (or related studies) can also be a good option, since it will allow you to implement projects that promote gender equality, among others.
9. Dealing with people (various groups)
Closely linked to the previous reason, we have the fact of dealing with people; This is another of the things that Gender Studies allow, depending on the field of work and/or the professional path we choose.
In addition, these studies make it possible to work with very diverse groups, beyond “men or women” (for example the LGTBI+ collective; lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, intersex and others).
10. Type of job
The objective of Gender Studies, among others, is to train a person who learns to design and implement policies (and protocols ) that promote greater equality between men and women. This can be carried out both in the public sphere (for example, equality offices) and private (for example, an educational center).
eleven. Women's empowerment
Gender Studies also empower women and promote their development as professionals. Empowerment implies that the person is aware of her power and her ability to face everything that is proposed.
12. Evolution of rights
Another reason to study Gender Studies is that it allows you to find out how the rights of men and women have evolved, at a historical level, which provides a global vision of the situation.
13. Promotes reflection
Due to its diverse themes, and the specific knowledge provided by this type of study, it can be said that we are facing a source of reflectionIn other words, Gender Studies allow us to reflect on issues such as inequality, respect, laws, individual liberties, etc.
14. Practical part
Another positive aspect of Gender Studies is that in addition to having a broad theoretical part, they also provide a practical part, which will allow the student to develop and learn methodologies for analyzing reality, creating of protocols and policies, etc.
fifteen. Research
Finally, another reason to study Gender Studies is that it also has its research field, if you like research. In other words, they will allow you to get started in this field so that you can acquire, promote and disseminate new knowledge related to the gender perspective and its inequalities.