Gender in Southeast Asia

This Element examines gender in Southeast Asia by focusing on two main themes. The first concerns hegemonic cultural constructions of gender and Southeast Asian subjects' responses to these dominant discourses. The second theme concerns the ways hegemonic ideals influence the gendering of power and politics.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 14 April 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This Element examines gender in Southeast Asia by focusing on two main themes. The first concerns hegemonic cultural constructions of gender and Southeast Asian subjects' responses to these dominant discourses. Roces introduces hegemonic discourses on ideal masculinities and ideal femininities, evaluates the impact of religion, analyzes how authoritarian regimes fashion these ideals, and discusses the hegemonic ideals surrounding desire and sexualities and the way these are policed by society and the state. The second theme concerns the ways hegemonic ideals influence the gendering of power and politics. Roces argues that because many Southeast Asians see power as being held by kinship alliance groups, women are able to access political power through their ties with men—as wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, and even mistresses. However, women's movements have challenged this androcentric division of power.

Southeast Asia is a region with a rich and complex history of gender relations. Throughout the centuries, Southeast Asian societies have been shaped by a variety of cultural, religious, and political factors that have contributed to the development of distinct gender roles and expectations. In this Element, we will explore two main themes related to gender in Southeast Asia: hegemonic cultural constructions of gender and Southeast Asian subjects' responses to these dominant discourses.

The first theme concerns hegemonic cultural constructions of gender and Southeast Asian subjects' responses to these dominant discourses. Roces argues that hegemonic discourses on ideal masculinities and ideal femininities have been used to justify and maintain power structures in Southeast Asian societies. These discourses often portray men as dominant and women as subordinate, with strict expectations for gender roles and behaviors. For example, in many Southeast Asian cultures, men are expected to be the breadwinners and providers for their families, while women are expected to be caregivers and homemakers.

However, Southeast Asian subjects have not been passive recipients of these dominant discourses. They have responded to these discourses in a variety of ways, challenging and subverting the hegemonic norms and expectations. For example, women in Southeast Asia have played an important role in shaping their societies and cultures. They have been leaders in social movements, political parties, and religious organizations, and have contributed to the development of gender-sensitive policies and practices.

Religion has also played a significant role in shaping gender relations in Southeast Asia. Many Southeast Asian cultures are deeply rooted in religious traditions, and religious beliefs and practices have been used to justify and maintain gender inequality. For example, in some Southeast Asian cultures, women are considered inferior to men and are not allowed to hold certain positions of power or authority.

Authoritarian regimes have also played a role in fashioning hegemonic ideals surrounding desire and sexualities. These regimes have often used laws and policies to control and regulate sexual behavior, particularly among women and marginalized communities. For example, in many Southeast Asian countries, laws against prostitution and sexual violence are used to control and marginalize women and LGBTQ+ individuals.

The second theme concerns the ways hegemonic ideals influence the gendering of power and politics. Roces argues that because many Southeast Asians see power as being held by kinship alliance groups, women are able to access political power through their ties with men. Women are often seen as being able to leverage their relationships with men to gain access to resources, opportunities, and power.

However, women's movements have challenged this androcentric division of power. Women's movements in Southeast Asia have been advocating for gender equality, women's rights, and social justice. These movements have challenged the hegemonic norms and expectations surrounding gender roles and have worked to promote the participation of women in political and social processes.

In conclusion, gender in Southeast Asia is a complex and multifaceted issue that is shaped by a variety of cultural, religious, and political factors. Hegemonic cultural constructions of gender and Southeast Asian subjects' responses to these dominant discourses have played a significant role in shaping gender relations in the region. However, Southeast Asian subjects have not been passive recipients of these dominant discourses, and have responded to these discourses in a variety of ways, challenging and subverting the hegemonic norms and expectations. The ways hegemonic ideals influence the gendering of power and politics are also an important area of study, as women's movements have challenged the androcentric division of power and worked to promote gender equality and social justice.

ISBN-13: 9781108741637
Edition number: New ed