Gender in Southeast Asia

Abstract

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, analyses how authoritarian regimes fashion these ideals. Discussion then turns to 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.

The lucky and unlucky daughter: Gender, land inheritance and agrarian change in Ratanakiri, Cambodia

“…Male gender identities in relation to land have not been extensively analysed; however, men are expected to perform provider roles as part of their socio‐political status and this is significant for understanding women's relations to land (Jackson, 2003). Women in their capacity as mothers, wives and daughters must be willing and ready to take on care work, and to infuse this with emotion (Roces, 2022). Women's reproductive and caring labour are recognised through land inheritance (Manderson & Block, 2016, p. 208).…”