Comments(1)

On Dis-aggregating sex and gender

Udaya S Mishra (05 September 2005) Centre for Development Studies

We have no doubt come a long way in defining and measuring gender, however, differentiating between sex and gender still remains hazy for many. As most of the gender analysis bases on sex dis-aggregated information, we need to manifest gender as a derivative of sex differential. If all the sex differential is not due to biological difference (sex) then the residual has to be ascribed to gender. Pampel (2001) provides a sensible illustration of this kind in the context of gender differential in road traffic accident victims. In this venture, two issues are equally important; one refers to the measurement of the differential in the first place and the second is the substantive difference in gender roles to substantiate the residual difference beyond biological self. As regard the measurement, the differential needs to be sensitive to changing levels of the phenomenon (Mishra and Subramaniam, 2005) to be pronounced at better levels compared with worse levels. Also the differential characteristic advantage/disadvantage in risk of a phenomenon between sex should be read as gendered characteristics.

Mishra U.S. and S. Subramanian (2005) ` On Measuring Group Differentials displayed by Socio-economic Indicators’ Applied Economic Letters (forthcoming)

Pampel F.C. (2001) Gender Equality and the Sex Differential in Mortality from Accidents in High Income Nations, Population Research and Policy Review, Vol.20, pp.397-421.

Competing interests

Nil

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Comments(1)

Defining and measuring gender: A social determinant of health whose time has come

On Dis-aggregating sex and gender