TRANSFORMATION OF THE CONCEPT OF GENDER IN TWENTIES AND TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

The concept of gender is associated with the consensus of feminist ideas and movements that emerged in the mid-twentieth century. Feminist studies aim to criticize the patriarchal consciousness of language and the inferiority of women in language and to eliminate discrimination against women in communication. They strive to correct gender inequality in language and ensure that women take their rightful place in society. Thus, the gender aspect of linguistics, which was studied in the areas of sociolinguistics and feminist linguistics, began to take shape as a separate area of linguistics in the last years of the twentieth century. This article analyzes the evolution of gender concepts through the 20th and 21st centuries, focusing on sociocultural inflection points such as key feminist waves, global gender equality advocacy, and gender-related discourses. It explores how feminist activism and gender theory have influenced linguistic shifts, terminology, and conceptual frameworks. The analysis identifies the interaction between social movements, legal reforms, and media representation, showing how these transformations have redefined language practices, fostered inclusive vocabularies, and reshaped contemporary gender discourse.