THE GENDER REGIMES AS REFLECTION OF POWER RELATIONS

Abstract

 The purpose of the article is to analyze the relationship and interaction between gender identity and power relations in society; to study specific features of gender identity’s representation in the contemporary socio – cultural discourse; to examine the role of gender regimes in the process of reproduction of gender inequality. Methodology. For analysing the relationship and mutual influence of gender identity and power relations in society, and studying the mechanism of reproduction of gender inequality is methodologically important to use comparative and concrete – historical methods. Since many researchers noted that the content of gender identity in different historical and cultural contexts is changed, it sounds methodologically reasonable to study this problem on the dialectical position that allowed us to see that the basis of all social institutions is the «problem of ifference» justifying «the problem of domination». Paying attention with the nature of the process, it is extremely important to provide the principle of methodological pluralism. Variability both the substantial contest of elements of identity and their definitions warrants the use of comparative historical method that allows us to analyze the real social and cultural changes. Scientific novelty. The analysis given in the article demonstrates that social institutions have an impact on the formation of gender identity through gender regimes. It is revealed that the transformation of gender inequality is not an inevitable result of biological differences in gender identities. It is proved that biological difference is used to justify the authorities and legitimate the gender inequality. It is established that the biological difference is used to justify social and political inequality of gender identities. The mechanism of continuous reproduction of gender inequality through the work of gender regimes which legitimate the hierarchy of gender identities is described. Conclusions. Understanding how gender inequalities can serve as a starting point for understanding the causes of all kinds of inequalities. Social institutions such as work, education, family, are, in essence, is not neutral, but genderized and serve the reproduction of gender order a certain socio-cultural context as a standard.