The article examines the features of the gender approach in analyzing gender inequality, as well as the impact of global transformations on the evolution of family roles and models of family relations. The gender approach is interpreted as a methodological framework that makes it possible to reveal the social, cultural, and economic mechanisms underlying inequality and to outline prospects for its overcoming. Emphasis is placed on the importance of harmonizing gender interactions through the recognition of the intrinsic value of the individual and the dismantling of traditional patriarchal stereotypes. Based on socio-philosophical analysis, it is shown that the modern family represents a dynamically developing institution in which traditional and innovative values coexist.

Keywords: gender approach, gender roles, gender inequality, patriarchal culture, family, social transformations, stereotypes.

Introduction

In contemporary scholarly discourse, the issues of gender and gender roles occupy a special place, as they are directly connected with social inequality, the transformation of cultural norms, and the reconfiguration of family strategies. Global processes affecting both economic and sociocultural spheres have contributed to a reconsideration of traditional notions regarding the distribution of male and female roles in society and within the family. The relevance of this study lies in the necessity of analyzing the gender approach as a methodological framework that makes it possible to uncover the specific social and cultural mechanisms of gender inequality, as well as to identify potential ways of overcoming it.

Modern socio-philosophical and sociological research demonstrates that gender-related issues are not limited solely to questions of discrimination or equality. They encompass a broader range of problems, including cultural stereotypes, the balance between traditional and innovative models of family life, and the impact of social transformations on changing gender attitudes. Applying a gender-based perspective provides an opportunity for a comprehensive understanding of these processes, allowing one to view the individual as valuable and autonomous, and social relations as the outcome of constructive interaction between genders.

The scientific novelty of this study lies in substantiating the argument that global transformations affecting the economic and sociocultural spheres have created the necessity for new strategies in the sphere of family relations and the distribution of gender roles. In today’s rapidly changing world, particular significance is attached to the gender flexibility of family members, which is manifested in the rethinking of traditional stereotypes and the emergence of nontraditional forms of marital and family unions. The modern family can no longer be regarded as a stable and harmonious system; on the contrary, family relations are characterized by internal contradictions and developmental dynamics. Current trends point to the increasing prevalence of diverse and nonstandard family models.

The loss of ancestral foundations as a form of monopoly over the individual leads to a crisis of spiritual orientations. By choosing professional self-realization and the freedom of interpersonal contacts over the traditional family structure, a person finds themselves in a state of «existential vacuum». Contemporary scholarly developments are generally interdisciplinary in nature, bringing together the efforts of demographers, psychologists, and sociologists. However, in most cases, the family is examined in functional terms, which leaves aside an analysis of its essential and cultural characteristics. It is precisely the socio-philosophical approach, drawing upon accumulated interdisciplinary material, that makes it possible to conceptualize the family as a phenomenon of sociocultural reality, as a subsystem of society, and as a special sphere of human existence. Such an approach provides a holistic vision of the family and sets the direction for further research. The family, as a universal value, transcends the local dimension and acquires the status of a universal human value [1, p. 94].

Despite the rich tradition of domestic socio-philosophical scholarship on the family, questions remain concerning its future, the transformation of models of family relations and gender roles, as well as the dependence of these processes on the cultural traditions and mentalities of different ethnic groups. Certain aspects of these issues are reflected in the works of both domestic and foreign scholars. For instance, S. G. Aivazova, S. Bern, G. A. Brandt, E. A. Zdravomyslova, A. A. Temkina, and N. M. Rimashevskaya analyze the characteristics of the family in the Soviet and post-Soviet periods, emphasizing the role of culture in shaping gender stereotypes and roles [2].

Philosophical reflections on new models of family relations in the context of contemporary economic, social, and cultural realities have been presented in the works of S. A. Bulgakova, A. V. Voronova, O. A. Voronina, S. A. Lyausheva, V. Ya. Nagevichene, M. E. Yordanova, and others [3]. This article employs the concept of the social construction of reality developed by P. Berger and T. Luckmann [4], within which human perceptions of the world are regarded as a factor in shaping social reality, characterized by both objective and subjective dimensions. From the perspective of social constructivism, gender roles appear as social constructs that determine the dominant or subordinate position of men and women.

According to the observations of Yu. S. Zadvornova, the success of overcoming these problems largely depends on the types of gender roles adopted by spouses, how they share responsibility for the material provision of the family, the upbringing and education of children, the resolution of household issues, and the extent to which the family’s life strategies align with the distribution of power between partners [5, p. 32].

Contemporary research indicates that the Soviet model of gender role distribution, although in a modified form, continues to persist in the Russian family. This can be explained by the fact that in public consciousness particularly among representatives of the older generation traditional ideas about the roles of men and women remain strong. As a result, the modern family demonstrates a coexistence of different models: patriarchal and Soviet patterns persist alongside egalitarian values.

The contemporary gender reality confirms this thesis: stereotypes of femininity and masculinity are increasingly interwoven, and new models of gender relations are being formed. Significant influence on these processes has been exerted by advances in medicine in the field of sex reassignment, as well as the expansion of sexual freedom, which have led to the erosion of the binary gender model as a normative framework. As a result, gender roles are undergoing transformation. Similar tendencies can also be observed in kazakh society today, where new types of family unions are emerging that presuppose alternative gender roles. Nevertheless, despite cultural pluralism and the shift from the traditional patriarchal order toward innovative models of family life, traditional norms continue to retain their significance in Kazakh family practice. No matter how much we speak about modernization, emancipation, or the equalization of men’s and women’s roles within the family sphere, in practice the traditional orientation persists, although variability of models and the search for new options are undoubtedly present [6].

Thus, the study of family transformation requires consideration not only of intra-family interaction but also of the broader socio-economic context. This makes it possible to forecast the further development of the family as a social institution and to determine the balance between traditional and new models of family relations [7].

Accordingly, the gender approach is not limited to a critique of the patriarchal system but seeks to propose new models of social relations based on equality and partnership [8]. This approach is oriented toward overcoming discriminatory practices and dismantling entrenched stereotypes that hinder the full self-realization of the individual.

Contemporary research demonstrates that the equal participation of men and women in social, economic, and cultural processes contributes to more sustainable development of society as a whole. Gender theory views the individual as an active subject, capable of independently constructing their identity and determining life strategies. This becomes particularly important in the context of global transformations, when traditional forms of social organization lose stability, and flexibility and variability of behavioral models come to the forefront.

Consequently, the application of the gender approach opens up prospects for the formation of new social practices based on the principles of justice, equality, and respect for difference. It makes it possible not only to identify the causes and mechanisms of gender inequality but also to determine pathways for overcoming it. At the same time, it is essential to take into account the national and cultural specificities and the mentality of society, since universal models cannot always be adequately implemented within specific sociocultural contexts.

Conclusion

The gender approach contributes to identifying contradictions in the distribution of roles between men and women, reveals their sociocultural conditioning, and highlights prospects for the harmonization of gender relations. Taking into account interdisciplinary factors and national-cultural specificities opens up opportunities for developing more balanced strategies for the evolution of the family institution under conditions of global transformation.

Funding

This research has been funded by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Grant AP26101317. The Influence of Cultural Values on the Formation of Gender Roles among Residents of the Southern Regions of Kazakhstan: Traditional and Innovative Approaches.

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