Society's 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.

In feminist theory, rape culture is a setting in which rape is pervasive and normalized due to societal attitudes about gender and sexuality. The sociology of rape culture is studied academically by feminists. There is disagreement over what defines a rape culture and as to whether any given societies meet the criteria to be considered a rape culture. The notion of rape culture has been used to describe and explain behavior within social groups, including prison rape, and in conflict areas where war rape is used as psychological warfare. Entire societies have been alleged to be rape cultures.

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.

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,

Rape Culture is when society normalizes rape, supports it and claims that it is okay. Rape culture was created by American feminists around the 1970’s (“Rape Culture”). According to Transforming a Rape Culture, Rape culture is “ a complex of beliefs that encourages male sexual aggression and supports violence against women. It is a society where violence is seen as sexy and sexually as violent. A rape culture condones physical and emotional terrorism against women as the norm” (Buchwald, Emilie, Pamela R.

The society has regulations in which people have to obey making social life be structured. Society has expectations for people to live by. People tend to live up to the norms in order to feel part of the world. Individuals do not want to be judged and labeled, so unconsciously live by the roles that they believe their gender has to follow. Gender is socially constructed concept in which society acts upon. The family is the first to influence individuals to this idea. Gender has roles in which boys and girls are supposed to follow. Depending on one’s gender, they are expected to dress, behave, and act accordingly to either portray a masculine or feminine personality. These gender roles are implied by society and if individuals do not follow are seen as outcast. It is difficult for people to comply to these characteristics and roles because they might have different life experiences and situations that might influence to act other than their gender roles imply.

Research Question/Problem: whether gender is a social construction and what types of genders there are

What decision do you think was the most influence on the person you are today? Was it a day you decided to start an activity? Or was it even a choice you made? For most people it seems that it wasn't. this is because the most important decision in most people's life is their gender. No, this isnt whats between your legs. As by medical definition “gender is the behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated with a specific sex” (Merriam Webster). This practice is often referred to as gender roles. In America today blue and pink are two colors that dictate much more than they should. From even before birth the two tones that only represent biological differences are a part of the structure of a child. We see It as a natural

I really enjoyed your post as you gave really good explanations and went straight to the point. I definitely agree with you I believe gender roles are set up by society. We can see this as when we grow up they tell us we can't play with trucks or dress like a superhero because that's for boys. But toys don't say they are made for a specific sex and we can see how society plays a role in this topic. Great post!

The Social Construction of gender according to Women, Images and Realities textbook (pg.10) is the socially constructed behaviors and characteristics that are associated with each sex. W.I.R. also explains the significant difference between sex and gender as the distinction that enables us to see that the expectations for women and men in our culture are neither immutable nor universal. Before you can begin to conceptualize that the dissimilarities between gender and sex you must comprehend the social construction of gender. A socially constructed ideology that relates to gender is when a child is first born if it is a male typically they are clothed in a blue blanket to indicate that they are a male and they received blue colored

Gender Roles and Inequity are important because we live in a society that is very judgmental. Many women have struggled with the chance to have equal opportunities as men before I was even thought about coming into this world. Many families remain together because of the work the woman puts in. However the woman never gets the acknowledgement they deserve for their commitment. The effort and devotion of the woman has always been unshakable in all cultures. However, the honor and accountability women receive from the society and men is completely unfair. Women have to struggle to get the equality inside their house and place of employment not to mention respect in the overall society as one. This causes a women to become worn out while at the same time trying to maintain their task as well as struggling for their chance of equal rights. It is known that racism and sexism are one in the same because of the unfair prejudice applied to them. Things may have changed to allow women to work next to men, however women will probably never make the same wage or have as much ability as men. No matter how much women struggle they will never give up on their chance for what’s fair.

Has our society been consumed by the idea that those whom fall under a different morality deserve less respect or acknowledgment? Is there any reason behind humans wanting to correct the things they don’t understand, or is it merely the ignorance behind wanting to serve as superior. As gender plays an enormous roll on moral ideas, men and women find voice through literacy for it’s the purest form that can cause the most effect on society. The work in “Inanna” gives power to people who have felt as if their gender holds a restriction against them. As well does “Hills like White Elephants”, for the emotion spectrum that lays within stereotypical roles of men and women are flipped. “Much Madness is Divinest Sense” reflects that difference is commonly rejected and how many fear to be free from thought. Awareness of the deeper meaning to writing is a reflection on the connection one has experienced to the work. Writes such as Enheduanna, Dickinson and Hemingway have tested the idea of gender role, and have broken society’s standers by depicting gender as form of unity. Freedom lays in the choice one chooses to do without validations.

There are many ways that gender roles, stereotypes, and signifiers are reinforced in society. A big way this influences people is through being a consumer and shopping. Almost every store that carries toys will have different sections, colors, toy types, and areas for each gender. Take Target for example. When you walk into the toy section you can immediately see different colors and different themes per aisle you browse. Not all toy aisles are taken over by typical blue or pink colors. But, some areas are very much marketed to girls and other areas are marketed to boys. I decided to take a trip to Target to experience the differences first hand. What I found was not only aisles and areas aimed at each different gender but also toys marketed to boys or girls that influence, reinforce, or affect what society thinks each gender should be.

Gender has become a word that is really meant to create a set example of cultural expected ideas and behaviors for the different sexes. In order to make life easier to understand society creates this dichotomy of gender standards to mold the idea of what is or is not a gender. Through the

Gender roles have been around forever. They have shaped the way certain societies work and the how everyone lives their everyday lives. Gender roles still limit women and men in contemporary America and although there have been changes in history, the idea of how each gender should live in the world still stands today. Also, there’s still a discrimination between men and women in the world today.