Dignity

Dignity is a term which denotes that people are to be respected and treated in the right way. This is perhaps the result of civilization and modernism where everyone is considered to be equal and the discriminating factors like race, creed, religion, language, wealthy and poor have nothing to do and everybody should be treated the same as human beings.

The word dignity is derived from Latin ‘dignitas’ by way of French ‘dignite’.  Usually it means the status and respect one ought to receive. A philosopher of the reformation period actually brought this term dignity to ideas and to beings. In his book “oration on the dignity of man” he presented the idea and opinion that everyone has to receive their due respect irrespective of the backgrounds and identity of people.

Gender and dignity

But In recent times that this term ‘dignity’ of men and women have gained momentum. People are coming out of the tag ‘I’m normal’ to identify and say what exactly they are. Realizing and accepting their sex and biology they are no more depressed. Now people range a lot from homosexuals, gay, lesbians, men in female physique and male in women physique all have started to discard the dignity aspect and remain happy what they are. It is because now they don’t feel lonely but feel proud to be part of bigger family and associations where they ate members.

Times relaxing people

So post-modernism has taken the world one steps further in giving what people love and wish to be. While these people have accepted what they have received it is only the problem of others who are not still able to respect and accept others. For these characteristics are said to be abnormal and illegal in certain societies which make them feel guilty.

Confusing morality and dignity

And so the word dignity has been eluding people of their respect and the freedom to move around. Adding to this what religions and its fundamentals are against these people which hinder their progress calling it as ‘sinful’. In gender studies to understand and justify these factors according to morality is a tedious and complex task. Still experts are not able to come to the conclusion that whether the socialization is responsible or chromosomes accountable to this factor. For both seems possible and are happening very much around us. Even when women whom we respect most as mother and god if are humiliated then imagine the fate of these people who are confused about their identity and role in the society.

Questions:

• Define dignity.
• What is the role of dignity?