The World Health Organization refers to sex as “the biological and physiological characteristics that define and differentiate men and women”. Although gender is now widely referred to the more social and cultural side of this “[differentiation]”, accepted cultural perspectives on gender often conflate with sex, dictating that women and men are naturally and unequivocally defined categories of being, with distinctive psychological and behavioural propensities that can be predicted based on their reproductive functions and/or anatomical make-up. In this sense, performing gender could be seen as performing sex wherein one’s performance of gender is merely an extension of or prescribed in one’s plasmic framework.
This is the basic tenant of the idea held by those who attempt to make scientific arguments regarding ‘feminine’ and ‘masculine’ behaviours. Such is exemplified in acclaimed neuro-biologist and economist Paul J. Zak’s “the moral molecule” study (2012), in which he argues that because there are higher levels of production of oxytocin (a hormone that facilitates intimacy), women tend to be more caring, more nurturing, more trustworthy and more empathic. Men have higher concentration of testosterones, a “scientific fact” long established by early experiments on gender (Vermeulen, Goemaere, & Kaufman, 1998; Seeman, 1998; Gupta, Lindemulder & Sathyan, 2000; Stanton, Wirth, Waugh & Schultheiss, 2009). Testosterones, as Zak claims, are very potent oxytocin inhibitor and this “explains” men’s tendency to be stoic or more detached during social interactions and in social relationships. Coupled with the fact that the amygdala (often associated with aggression) is an area of the brain in men which grows more rapidly than the rest of t...
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...ons of social truths can be explained through classical sociological conceptualizations of identity. Herbert Blumer (1969) popularized the term “symbolic interactionism”, a follow-up from G. H. Mead’s theory of the self (1913) and C. H. Cooley’s the looking-glass self (1902), putting forward that human behaviour is unique in that we respond to symbols. That identity is formed through a process of reflection, by giving meanings to the world around us and how we act corresponds to to our understanding of those meanings. This notion of “meanings” is explored in the “linguistic turn”, a postmodern development in Western philosophy and sociology rooted in the impression that all of society is made up of “signs and symbols” and that they only mean what we assume they represent (Wittgenstein, 1953). These assumptions, however, are not something that are objectively made.
Sagan, D. (2000). Hormones Determine Gender Traits.Male/female roles: opposing viewpoints (pp. 42-43,46). San Diego, Calif.: Greenhaven Press.
In “The Gender Blur: Where Does Biology End and Society Take Over?” Deborah Blum states that “gender roles of our culture reflect an underlying biology” (Blum 679). Maasik and Solomon argue that gender codes and behavior “are not the result of some sort of natural or biological destiny, but are instead politically motivated cultural constructions,” (620) raising the question whether gender behavior begins in culture or genetics. Although one may argue that gender roles begin in either nature or nurture, many believe that both culture and biology have an influence on the behavior.
This article was written to bring attention to the way men and women act because of how they were thought to think of themselves. Shaw and Lee explain how biology determines what sex a person is but a persons cultures determines how that person should act according to their gender(Shaw, Lee 124). The article brings up the point that, “a persons gender is something that a person performs daily, it is what we do rather than what we have” (Shaw, Lee 126). They ...
1) In the chapter black and white, Bissinger uses a taboo words to point out the theme and problem of the town. “Niggger, Goddam Jesus christ, and shitty.” Are the words that are italicized in this passage. Obviously the N-word is used as an insult for black people in the community and it show that race is the biggest issue in this chapter. Then he uses Goddam Jesus christ because the community is a predominantly catholic, especially white people, they found it ruled and very offensive. “ It bothered them, and they frankly didn’t know how a decent person would say a thing such as that, show such utter disrespect for the Lord.” (Friday Night Lights, By H.G. Bissinger) This is just an example showing that the people who use the N-word had no idea that they were being disrespectful not just to Lantia Akins but every black person in the community. The N-word has multiple meaning, a lot of people are not aware of it’s history and the real meaning it gives. It has such a deep meaning that the people in the town shouldn’t say it so casually. “What the hell was racist about calling ‘em niggers when they acted like that? It was just the truth.” (Friday Night Lights, By H.G. Bissinger) Bissinger added this in the end of the last paragraph to show how white people blinded so much by stereotypes of black people. The taboo language is used to get the audience’s attention, because it’s thing that shouldn’t be said. Overall it just makes thing interesting and it show the effects of taboo words and the theme. That is everyone should be treated equally.
The article starts with a brief anecdote that gives a good example of childhood behavior, observing how her son at a very early age showed signs of aggressive behavior through his love of predatory dinosaurs, which being so young had not been influenced by society very much. She questions why her son would want to pretend to gnaw off her leg. Why would he do such a thing if he was not biologically engineered to do so? To support this claim Blum consults a behavioral endocrinologist at the University of California, Marc Breedlove, on the topic. He claims that “Yes, we’re born with predispositions, but its society that amplifies them, exaggerates them. (He) believes that – except for the sex differences in aggression, those [differences] are too massive to be explained simply by society” (574). This excellent use of a professional testimony sets up the stage for her next more factual section of the article exploring statically how men and women differ in criminal activity, namely aggressive behavior.
"In dismantling the notion that sex and gender are innate, first the two must be defined. Sex is described as the interaction between genes, hormones, behavior, and the environment. The adjectives female, male, or intersex is used when referring to sex. Gender is the social status, legal
The world one lives in it happens to grasp that all humans are designed as equals. This is far-off from reality based on how this society is operating. The principle of equality does not imply that everyone is the same, nevertheless that everyone should be treated as equals unless special circumstances apply. When it comes to the two sexes, everything that comes in its bounds is either biased intentionally or unintentionally, either way it continues. A gender role is a set of societal norms dictating what is acceptable or appropriate for a person’s sex. One could be aware of the characteristics and factors of identity that enables others to treat another differently by analyzing the aspects of society through race, religion, language, sexual orientation, economic status and also the level of education. The theory of equality is somewhat understandable, but what about the female population? Where is their equality in this society?
The relationship between sex and gender can be argued in many different lights. All of which complicated lights. Each individual beholds a sexual identity and a gender identity, with the argument of perceiving these identities however way they wish to perceive them. However, the impact of gender on our identities and on our bodies and how they play out is often taken for granted in various ways. Gender issues continue to be a hugely important topic within contemporary modern society. I intend to help the reader understand that femininities and masculinities is a social constructed concept and whether the binary categories of “male” and “female” are adequate concepts for understanding and organising contemporary social life with discussing the experiences of individuals and groups who have resisted these labels and forged new identities.
...heories of performing gender to make this point, Fausto-Sterling is able to point to concrete scientific experiments and explain where they go wrong. And one can conclude from Fausto-Sterling's book that not only do we "do" gender, we also "do" sex and bodies as well.
In Doing Gender authors West and Zimmerman argue the concept of gender being an outcome of daily life rather than an outcome from a physician with an ultrasound with only two permanent results. The meaning behind the term gender invokes different connotations of either masculine or feminine qualities that lay the groundwork for societies preexisting roles. Society today views gender as being either of masculine or feminine form however the controversy with this is how this is determined in our society today as well as in the past. Both authors fall upon the idea that sex is a disposition of birth whereas gender is a disposition of your actions after your birth. “It is necessary to move beyond the notion of gender display to consider what
There are many different diagnosed disorders known to society, each disorder, with the many symptoms and side effects, serious in its own effect. Many disorders have symptoms that impact numerous areas of a person’s life and cause distress for the one suffering from these symptoms. All disorders are something that people are naturally born with and must learn to manage during life. Among these disorders is Gender Identity Disorder. Gender is a term used in discussing the different roles, identities, and expectations that our society associates with males and females. Gender identity shapes how we think and influences our behaviors. Most people identify their gender with the biological sex determined by genitalia; however, some experience discrepancy between biological sex and the feeling of being born as the wrong gender. According to American Accreditation Health Care Commission, gender identity disorder is a conflict between a person's physical gender and the gender he or she identifies with (Health Central). In “Gender Identity Disorder : A Misunderstood, Diagnosis” Kristopher J. Cook says, “Gender identity disorder denotes a strong and persistent desire to be of the other sex (or the insistence that one is of the other sex), together with persistent discomfort about one’s own sex or a sense of inappropriateness in the role assigned to one’s own sex.” (DOCUMENT) As with any disorder, there are many hardships for those that are struggling with Gender Identity Disorder, also known as GID. Many who have this disorder often find themselves battling depression due to insecurities with who they are and the unacceptance from society. This depression will often lead to suicide attempts and some, unfortunately, succeed. A Truth ma...
Gender has been around throughout history; however, within recent years, gender has separated itself from the traditional view of sex, e.i., male or female, and has become centered on ones masculinity or femininity. Of course gender is more than just ones masculinity or femininity, gender has become a way for one to describe, he or she, in a way in which they are different from everyone else. Gender has turned into a sense of identity, a way for one to feel different and fulfilled among all of those around them. Of course gender’s sense of freedom would seem outside of structure and only affected by one’s own agency, however, structure is a key component in establishing gender. We can look into both ethnic Mexican’s culture practices regarding sexuality, children songs and games, and see that cultural traditions still heavily influence gender, creating what is masculine and what is feminine and what is the role of each gender, as well as challenging the notions that gender is solely based on agency.
Sex and gender are terms that are mixed up from day to day and seen as similarities rather than differences. Sex is what distinguishes people from being either male or female. It is the natural or biological variations between males and females (Browne, 1998). Some of these variations are genitals, body hair and internal and external organs. It is the make-up of chromosomes, men have one X and one Y chromosome and women have two X chromosomes, these are responsible for primary characteristics (Fulcher and Scott, 2003). Gender on the other hand refers to the sociological differences between male and female. This is teaching males and females to behave in various ways due to socialisation (Browne, 1998). Example: masculinity and femininity. Girls are supposed to show their femininity by being non-competitive, sensitive, dependent, attractive and placid. If and when some girls don’t succeed in keeping this image they will be referred to as a tomboy. On the other hand, boys show their masculinity through aggression, physical strength...
Gender and sexuality can be comprehended through social science. Social science is “the study of human society and of individual relationships in and to society” (free dictionary, 2009). The study of social science deals with different aspects of society such as politics, economics, and the social aspects of society. Gender identity is closely interlinked with social science as it is based on an identity of an individual in the society. Sexuality is “the condition of being characterized and distinguished by sex” (free dictionary, 2009). There are different gender identities such as male, female, gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual that exists all around the world. There is inequality in gender identities and dominance of a male regardless of which sexuality they fall under. The males are superior over the females and gays superior over the lesbians, however it different depending on the place and circumstances. This paper will look at the gender roles and stereotypes, social policy, and homosexuality from a modern and a traditional society perspective. The three different areas will be compared by the two different societies to understand how much changes has occurred and whether or not anything has really changed. In general a traditional society is more conservative where as a modern society is fundamentally liberal. This is to say that a traditional society lists certain roles depending on the gender and there are stereotypes that are connected with the genders. One must obey the one that is dominant and make decisions. On the other hand, a modern society is lenient, It accepts the individual’s identity and sexuality. There is no inequality and everyone in the society is to be seen as individuals not a part of a family unit...
In the early days most pregnant women would rely on their grandmother’s silly predictions or other old wives tales to predict whether their unborn baby was a boy or a girl. However, women had no way of knowing the sex of their baby until the actual moment of birth. The idea of gender determination has always been a challenge, and to this day one still cannot fully understand the concept of gender determination. However, with the use of modern day technology and much research, experts have found ways to determine the sex of unborn fetus.