Gender Is Socially Constructed

Throughout this course, we have discussed how the differences in the social construction of gender, race, class, and sexuality have led to discrimination and inequality of those classified under a variety of these categories. Through understanding the significance of these social constructs on society it becomes apparent the intersectionality they have when it comes to understanding why certain groups may face discrimination or inequality. This paper examines gender inequality and how the social construction of gender makes it difficult for the pursuit of equality amongst genders.

When it comes to gender, it is as easy to determine as quantum physics; all the pieces are there but it is impossible to put together. Without hard evidence, all people can do is to make assumptions. The two biggest arguments on how gender is determined right now is based upon social and biological construct. Arguing for the sociological aspect is Aaron Devor, writer of the article, “Gender roles behaviors and attitudes”. Dover believes that, “People use femininity and masculinity to claim and communicate their membership in their assigned, or chosen, sex or gender” (Devor 505). Devor considers that society has certain roles that are predetermined towards males, females and anyone in between. A man has to act a certain way to be masculine and a female a certain way to be considered feminine. On the not so opposite side of the spectrum is Deborah Blum, author of the work, “The gender blur: Where Does Biology End and Society Take Over?”. Blum doesn’t necessarily disagree with Devor, but asks the question, “Do the gender roles of our culture reflect an underlying biology, and, in turn, does the way we behave influence that biology” (Blum 512). Blum is arguing that maybe it was our genetic makeup that built the foundation on how a gender should act. Both authors present valid points for their arguments, but in the end, it is Blum who comes over on top with her usage of tone, evidence, and the use of a counterargument.

Gender construction is associated with society’s expectations of human beings based on their biological sex. Before humans are born, they are already classified as boys or girls through a sonogram. In Reading Lessons, An Introduction to Theory, Scott Carpenter explains that “gender has served as the primary human sorting feature since time immemorial” (89). In addition, children’s behaviors are developed from the fairy tales and characters from the cartoons that they watch. Boys are more likely to become superheroes while girls are encouraged to be pretty like Disney’s princess characters such as Snow White and Cinderella (Carpenter 92). Thus, girls are more focused on their physical appearance than boys. The different roles that actors and actresses play and the identification of men and women or boys and girls in movies, fairy tales, and the society influence people to expect what men and women should do and how they should live to get the ideal type for their gender roles.

The way society is taught to be socialized is salient and goes unnoticed, therefore it is valid to claim that gender is socially constructed through our everyday practices, whether we are aware of the construction or not. With socialization beginning the instant a child is born, the process is continuous through out adolescence and varies dramatically across the two genders. With guidance from institutions and arenas such as education, sports, music and the mass media gender seems to be coerced, as it comes with a scripted set of behaviors and attitudes. This essay argues that gender is socially constructed on an everyday basis. To further explain this thesis the essay will draw on early childhood socialization of masculinity and femininity,

Gender identity is a highly controversial subject. The notion that one's gender is a significant determination of personality traits, behavioral characteristics, social tendencies, romantic engagements and self-perception is a critical one. However, it is also subject to debate because of the imperatives created by the social construct of gender. This often clashes with what are, in reality, more nuanced and individualized connections to gender. This is particularly highlighted by the interview which has informed the research here. Specifically, the interview subject is a male of the homosexual orientation who would endure difficulty as a child fully understanding the meaning of his gender identity. As the discussion shows here, this is a common emotional disorder for individuals contending with some sexual confusion but should also not be conflated with homosexuality itself.

The way my father performed his gender has shaped the performance of my gender. My dad has also talked about raising me and my brothers as men but not as a binary concept but what he felt manhood represented. That involved in many things such as playing lots of sports or learning how to fight and other activities such as fishing. Although my dad never forced me to play sports it was always a staple in my household and I would- be mocked when I stopped playing a sport out of boredom. My dad constructed my gender self to view men as a group who had to become strong, fast, aggressive, dominant, and achieving in order to fit into society. This interaction with my family has caused my gender construction with others to be a byproduct of my experiences

Gender is defined as the social arrangements that are built to meet personal traits of being male or female and society has created roles that reflect a gender to act in a certain way in society. Rape culture is seen as normal behavior in society where genders experience violence in social institutions. Society has arranged roles to males and females that have led females to experience violence in society and is seen as a norm rather than a problem, because males need to show their masculinity to society.

men". They do not have to behave or dress as men to have the social

Before taking this class, little did I know that gender is a difficult and complex topic to talk about. Some have trouble identifying as either male or female, their gender identity. Gender identity is given to us on the day that we are born. If a baby is born with a penis, then, it is a male. Until the baby is grown up and able to identify himself. Furthermore, being transgender, bisexual, lesbian, or gay is starting to be more accepting in our society. For example, now there are a lot more shows, movies, or ads that are homosexual. However, being heterosexual will always be seen as the norm in out society. Also, being in this class has opened my eyes with the inequality between males and females. Women and men are different biologically. But when it comes to careers or relationships, they should both be seen as the same. Women get paid less than men do. Why is it that women are getting paid less? Women should not be seen as less superior than men. Women are now on the rise to have the same education as men, same careers as men, etc.

In response to some of the described situational GBV’s, the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs, is the countries national body for social welfare, gender and children’s rights for Sierra Leone. In 2007, 30 women’s rights organisations joined a demonstration against GBV. The national committee is made up of government institutions, UN agencies both national and international organisation and are against GBV. There are also established regional GBV committees for national action plans, in its implementation of UN security council resolutions (UNSCR). Which are being made up of civil society organisations and traditional religious leaders globally (kjkljlk).

While observing interactions between people of both different and the same genders in the park at Orange Circle, it becomes evident how the social construction of gender and standard gender roles may or may not follow archetypal manner and can be applied differently depending on the individuals. Some of the observations recorded during this period have provided evidence that gender roles and gender stereotypes may be followed or applied in an archetypal way. However, what is most interesting is that the observation of select individuals has delineated the manner by which certain aspects of gender roles are shown to be subverted, challenged, or even reversed. Based on these observations, it can be surmised that people may have a choice in the ways in which the social construction of gender does and does not apply to their lives.

Describe 3 concepts about gender and how these concepts impact us individually giving at least one example from your personal life.

Culture is important in every aspect of life. But what roles do gender and equality play within a society or the culture within that society? Culture of course, is vital because it molds the way things are done within the society. Culture was also defined in the World Conference on Cultural Politics as “‘the whole complex of distinctive, spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features that characterize a society or a social group. It includes not only arts and letters, but also modes of life, the fundamental rights of the human being, value systems, traditions and beliefs.’” (Schalkwyk 2000, pg. 1) Culture is a part of who we are, it is a chunk of our life, it affects how we live and how we choose to live every day.

All the sources I picked for my annotated bibliography convey the nature of masculinity/femininity and gender dynamics. Within these sources, I analyzed the many rhetoric devices like pathos, ethos and logos. Baez compares empathy between genders. Both Baez and Sultan inform the reader on common gender stereotypes. However, Sultan informs the reader on the social hierarchy of women. Finally, Vroegh examines masculinity and femininity among preschoolers.

There is a set of “invisible rules” unique to both men and women. The most effective communication happens when both sexes have a clear understanding of these rules. Men and women function according to different norms and have different views of what is right and wrong; they theoretically have different cultures. Consequently, behavior that is accepted among one gender, may see appalling to the other, and vice versa. Gender throughout society plays multiple roles; gender in the work force, gender in media, and gender in the family.