Subjective Social Constructs And Its Impact On Society Essay

The roles of men and women in society, though they vary slightly from culture to culture, have been forged in such a way that that they have been ingrained in us, while being nothing more than a social construct, and we appear to be unable to shake them. Although we do try to be accepting of change, the very thought of an adjustment in our perceived gender roles typically results in a reaction that is a cross between a cringe for some and a furrowed brow for others.

Society has drilled an image into our minds as people of how the role of each gender should be played out. There are two recognized types of genders, a male and a female. Most people come to think that gender is just male or female. Yet it has become more complex then that. Today it is not just that if you have male parts, you are a man, the opposite goes for women. According to the authors Aaron Devor and Deborah Blum. Gender is much more complex then just male and female, it is more socially composed. We are taught to be male and female trough things like media, our parents, and role model figures. These

Many people confuse the definition of gender and sex. “Gender, on the other hand, refers to the meanings, values, and characteristics that people ascribe to different sexes. Sex is a biological concept, determined on the basis of individual 's primary sex characteristics.” (Blackstone) Society gives social cues on the appropriate behavior for each sex. For example, women are to exert more feminine traits such as being dependent, emotional, passive, innocent, nurturing, and/or self-critical. On the contrary, men should be more

Throughout life every man and woman fits into a specific gender role. We are told what is expected of men and women from birth until death. Many people influence our view of how we should act and what we should say such as our parents, friends, and even the media. Males and females play very different roles and these differences are apparent in our every day lives. These differences are not the same as they used to be. Society has changed the way it treats men and women over time.

How Gender Roles and Societal Expectations Shape Personal Lives” “Boys will be boys”. “If a girl flirts she should follow through”. “A woman belongs in the kitchen”; We all have heard these phrases in some form or another on our TVs, on campus, behind a pulpit, be it indirectly or directly. Somewhere along the line, these messages become a mentality, and in turn the mentality becomes a mandate: do what is expected of you. “Boys”, “Girl”, and “Lust” are all examples of how gender roles and societal expectations shape how we think, act, and see others.

In today’s society, it is completely common for a male to act feminine and female to act masculine and considered as “normal.” Men now wear female clothing and female wear male

On any given day people do not think about how men try so hard to be tough and not show emotion; while the women are trying to be beautiful and have a perfect image. This creates a tremendous discrepancy between how people believe a man should act and how a woman should look. People stereotype men and women and if you do not fit the mold, then there is something wrong with you. This is why almost everyone follows their particular gender lines and how people think they should be; everyone just wants to fit into our society and culture. Finally, this means that everyone continues and most likely will consistently continue, to follow society's norms just so they fit into our society and

Sarah Veslany PLSC 428 Final Exam 4/28/2015 Contemporary social science asserts that there are no gender binaries that exist in nature, but rather that social institutions, history, and public pressure encourages people to conform to and display heteronormative behavior. Gender in this particular issue is referring to how an individual identifies themselves psychologically. Meaning that gender in a social science context alludes to the cultural interpretation of masculine and feminine characteristics rather that the biological foundation of gender. Gender is seen as a recurring performance of gendered behavior. The social science field rejects biological differences in gender and instead puts emphasis on how societal constructs of gender.

Everyone at some point in their lives have been negatively impacted based on their gender; whether you are male or female. We are expected to be our gender; Dress and act like a woman or dress and act like a man. The common phrase “be a man” is telling men to act tougher and to show less emotion. Another common phrase is “Stop being such a girl”, as though being a woman is a bad thing, it is seen as an insult, but also degrades women. These sayings usually are not understood as mean, rather than motivators. We are raised to believe how members of each gender are supposed to act, this socialization begins in the home, with those who raise us. A study conducted by John F. Peters shows how teens perceive gender stereotypes from their parents.

It is a common belief that a person’s gender is biologically determined, where in fact, gender does not occur naturally from the body (Butler 1999). Rather, gender is a social construct (Hansot & Tyack, 1988). It is a set of expectations and behavioural norms that individuals learn and perform (Butler 1999). Depending on time and culture, every society sets out what is considered appropriate behaviour for a man or a woman, based on concepts of ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’ practices (Holmes, 2013). It is through socialisation that we learn these expectations (Holmes, 2013). We then shape our behaviour to fit the gender that is assigned to us at birth, according to our sex category (Butler, 1999). West and Zimmerman (1987), discuss the idea that gender is a “routine, methodical and recurring accomplishment” (p. 126) and that one can never not ‘do’ gender, as every activity, attitude and behaviour is

The concept of gender has a strong social impact on me. When I was born, I was immediately assigned to a biological sex as a female with two X chromosomes. I was then socially classified as a girl in the society with feminine gender roles. Gender is defined as a social principle which attribute to the roles and expectations of males and females through the years of different societies (Phillips, 2005). Gender can be considered as behavioural, cultural and psychological traits

Because of this, society has set boundaries and specified standards that limits oneself to their own gender. For this reason, people who

Gender, as a social construct has constantly intrigued me, particularly since our culture, society and who we are is formed by it. The thought that we can make something that runs our lives so tremendously is fascinating. Gender is imbued within each one of us from the beginning of our lives and is enforced in all most everything, from toys to clothes. The process of learning the social desires and expectations as well as attitudes associated with one's sex is called as Gender Socialization.

Throughout today’s society, almost every aspect of someone’s day is based whether or not he or she fits into the “norm” that has been created. Specifically, masculine and feminine norms have a great impact that force people to question “am I a true man or woman?” After doing substantial research on the basis of masculine or feminine norms, it is clear that society focuses on the males being the dominant figures. If males are not fulfilling the masculine role, and females aren’t playing their role, then their gender identity becomes foggy, according to their personal judgment, as well as society’s.

Society has clearly defined boundaries between what is considered to be male or female. The development of an individual’s gender role is formed by interactions with those in close proximity. Society constantly tells us how we should look, act and live based on gender. Family, friends and the media have a tremendous impact on how these roles are formed and the expected behavior of each gender role.