WOMEN IN THE PARK : A STUDY OF GENDER DIVISION IN PUBLIC SPACES

Abstract

The effects of the private/public dichotomy has spilled over into the realm of usage of public spaces. Instead of enjoying equal right to use public spaces. women's use of public spaces and places has been shown to be restricted to a large extent. Throughout the ages, women have been limited to the private sphere of household whereas men dominate the public sphere with greater access and freedom. Women's activities and actual use of public spaces and places are limited because of their concern with the appropriate sexual conduct and fear of crimes, especially sex crimes. Experiences also differ between the sexes in the ways they are socialized. Gender identities are taught and perpetuated. The relationship between gender identities and women's restricted use of public spaces and places will be explored in this study. This is made with special reference to a particular type of public place, the urban park. The park's creation represents man's way of manipulating the natural environment. Instead of allowing equal accessibility and rights to both female and male urban dwellers, the park can be seen as being limiting in many aspects, as this study will illustrate. Women's subordination to men can also be seen in terms of their spatial and temporal restrictions in public spaces, vis-a-vis men's. It is one of this study's aims to re-evaluate our "'common-sense'' and “taken-for-granted" realities. This may represent the first of many tedious steps towards creating an ungendered world in which women enjoy equal freedom with regards to the use of public spaces.