Hinduism: Gender and sexuality

This topic explores Hindu perspectives on gender and sexuality, focusing on how sacred texts, traditions, and contemporary interpretations shape understandings of male and female roles, sexual orientation, and identity. It examines key concepts such as dharma (duty), karma (action and consequence), and the nature of the self (atman) in relation to gender, as well as the roles of deities like Shiva, Parvati, and Ardhanarishvara (the androgynous form of Shiva and Parvati). Students will analyse how Hindu teachings have been used both to reinforce and challenge traditional gender norms, including the status of women, LGBTQ+ identities, and the concept of a third gender (hijra).

Understanding this topic is crucial for AQA A-Level Religious Studies as it requires critical engagement with diverse sources, including the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, and legal texts like the Manusmriti. It also connects to broader themes of ethics, liberation (moksha), and the interplay between religious authority and social change. By studying gender and sexuality in Hinduism, students gain insight into how a major world religion negotiates modernity, human rights, and pluralism, preparing them for nuanced essay arguments and source-based analysis in exams.

This topic fits within the 'Ethics' and 'Developments in Hindu Thought' sections of the AQA specification, where students are expected to evaluate contrasting views on issues such as marriage, celibacy, and the role of women in religious practice. Mastery of this material will enable students to discuss how Hindu concepts like prakriti (nature) and purusha (spirit) relate to gender, and to assess the impact of colonialism and reform movements on contemporary Hindu attitudes.