Social Construction of Gender

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.

In this meme it show a women that looks like your stereotype hippie. She is use to personify the people who believe that “thinks gender is a social construct with no basis in biology” and “thinks conservation are science deniers”. The creator use humor to make fun of the people who believe that gender is a social construct and thinks the right wing are the one who science deniers but it is the ones who believe that gender is a social construct are the real science deniers. They are the real science deniers because gender is not a social construct it has basis in biology. The kind of humor style that is use in this is aggressive humor to mock the people that believe the idea that gender is a social construct. The supporters of the idea that gender is a social construct said that gender is taught to us by society and we are socialize into gender roles. I am going to go in details about why the idea that gender is a social construct is a myth by taking a look at gender socialization theory and what the experts who support it said the evident is.

(Eisenchlas, 2013) Humans, being labelled by social creatures, are greatly influenced and shaped by society as well as social interactions, because of this gender roles are socially constructed rather than biologically

The word gender can be described as the state of being male or female and is typically used to describe cultural differences as opposed to biological ones. Additionally, the definition of gender has continuously been a controversial issue due to its lack of clarity in regards to battling complicated social injustices. Furthermore, the construction of gender as a social category has recently been criticized for the lack of inclusiveness to women of color and the consistent habit to view both gender and race as restrictive divisions of experience and reasoning. Seeing those criticisms has led to the development of the term intersectionality which deals with various layers of subjection that women live with and addresses more than just the

It is undeniable that socially constructed gender norms reinforce the ingrained patriarchal ideology that runs rampant throughout society. Indeed, our society has established strict roles which essentially determine how individuals are expected to act, speak, dress, and conduct themselves based upon their assigned sex. These films highlight the societal impact of gender norms and gender stereotyping that is internalized early in life and continues to be entrenched within society through generational customs as well as various forms of media and entertainment, such as advertisements, movies, video games, and so forth.

According to social construction theory, gender is formed by our own beliefs and actions. For instance, many people would believe a farming job would be for a male but it can also be a female job as well. Usually women do house work while men do other duties outside such as landscaping. The definition of gender clearly states ‘“ the behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated with one sex or one’s sex.”’. (Lecture 3, Page 2). Many people would believe that gender has to do with gonads or reproduction organs but it actually refers how an individual clearly view themselves. A female could be born by sex but then could identify the gender as a male because in their life, there could be masculine acts involved. Other words, socially constructed also means that “society or culture creates an idea, a physical object, a

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.

I am a strong believer that gender roles are a social construct. However, gender identity is not. Therefore, it is very important to know the difference. Gender roles are defined as “theoretical constructs involving of social and behavioral norms that are widely considered to be socially appropriate for individuals of a specific sex. The perception of gender roles includes attitudes, actions, and personality traits associated with a particular gender within that culture. Gender roles are predominantly considered within a family context as well as within society in general”. I believe that gender roles and gender expression are social constructs. There is almost nothing that is intrinsically male or female and merely things that are coded as male or female by the culture we live

The construction of gender has always been a controversial issue. We tend to think that gender is developed through a natural process as we experience it everyday, while it shapes us unconsciously into who we are, to how we think and why we do certain things in a considered gender-appropriate manner. From a sociological point of view, according to Macionis and Plummer’s study, cultural meanings about what is considered masculine and feminine varies from one society to another and from one historical period to another (2012). According to their study, this is all part of a gender order, which are the ways in which societies shape notions of masculinity and femininity into power relationships, this enhances the differences between both genders and our expectations of them in society. This categorisation involves various factors including gender identity, gender role, gender stratification, patriarchy and feminism, all of the above aspects contribute to the social construction of gender.

Gender doesn’t necessarily reflect your biological sex. Gender is created and re-created depending on our social life (Lorber). It is something we construct, adjust since birth and might keep throughout our lives . Since gender identity is presented at a very early age, this social construction starts with parents because no matter how we think about it, as a society, we have gendered roles we follow(Lorber). When you're born, parents decide which way to direct you. It’s all about timing and the way gender is applied to us. “Parenting is gendered, with different expectations for mothers and fathers” Lorber says. It is from parenting where we start to learn how we should behave depending on our biological sex. That’s why the way parents dress

“One is not born but, rather becomes a woman,” (Butler, 1988, p. 519). Perhaps one could be referring to gender as a performative act which serves as a ‘doing’ in bringing into being what it names. By observing how specific corporeal acts affects gender construction, similarities can be drawn in relation to performative acts. It resembles to how a person chooses a particular outfit from a wardrobe, however one must realize that the available choices are curtailed to an extent often through societal contexts. Butler emphasized that the world does not merely construct our gender but we ourselves are able to construct it in turn through our individual being. In regards to the wardrobe analogy, if a person seeks to transcend beyond the limitations

The first type of analysis portrays gender as socially constructed, and violence as the means to enforce such construct. Men are associated with violence, and comprise armies more than women do. Confortini argues that associating femininity with peace supports hegemonic masculinity, which considers women (and other excluded men), as subordinate to the shared expectations of masculinity. Conflict is totally influenced by this hegemony, as soldiers, peacemakers, and others involved in conflict, are predominantly male (Rehn and Sirleaf 61). Silence on homosexuality (by the hegemonic masculinity) disempowers “other” masculinities and legitimizes their subjugation. Gendered language, which depicts women as soft and men as strong, reinforces these

Prior to this moment I had never really felt pressured from society to fit my gender. I had seen many ideal beauty standards for females that I never felt I met but I had never had a moment where I felt like my appearance was associated with my gender. This moment was really jarring to me because when I decided to cut my hair short, I never once thought about how this would change the perception people had about me; It seemed like a small cosmetic decision.