The Gender Identity Transition in South Africa

Patriarchy is a system that often places restrictions on social relationships, in terms of what is deemed permissible behavior, and actively emphasizes male dominance over women within society (Coetzee, 2001: 301). In addition, patriarchy doesn’t render women totally powerless, but marginalizes them in order to shift the balance of power in favor of men (Coetzee, 2001: 301). In traditional patriarchal societies there are a number of barriers that are faced by women. In South Africa, these barriers range from social, cultural and economic injustices, which could be ultimately be added to the other female stereotypes present in modern day society (Coetzee, 2001: 301). One of the major barriers facing women in South Africa would be religion. In most religions, for example Christianity, the majority of high positions within the cultural practice are held by men. This is owing to the fact man was supposedly created in the image of god and thus based on various ideologies should be treated as such from his female counterparts (Coetzee, 2001: 301). Patriarchal mannerisms are also born and bred in the family through socialization. Thus the family is the starting platform for patriarchal customs; this is done by socializing the young to accept gendered constructed roles. Females have been accustomed to domestic roles, dependent on their male counterparts to succeed in life, whereas males are generally expected to be physically strong and in most cases be the breadwinner for the family.

Patriarchy is therefore not only a classified group, but a group in which particular individuals fill particular places based on their specific gender (Coetzee, 2001: 302). Consequently, male power in the South African society has the ability to assign “f...

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