Gender: Biology or Social

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Is Gender Socially Constructed or Biologically Determined? In his article, “Gender Role Behaviors and Attitudes” Aaron Devor argues that gender is socially determined through “systematic power imbalances” (677). To endorse his idea, he explains the different feminine activities and expressions. Femininity is behavior and roles assumed and associated to girls and women. The next topic on his discussion list is body postures and speech characteristics; this can help define the femininity in a person. Devor then shifts from femininity to masculinity. Masculinity is qualities that are normally associated with men, for example power, aggression, and competitiveness. Devor goes more in depth on instinctual aggressive and competitive behavior that men depict. Devor explains, “body postures, speech patterns, and styles of dress …(they) support the assumption of dominance and authority convey(s) an expression of masculinity” (676). Then points out that gender roles are power imbalances because of gender discrimination (677).
In her article, “The Gender Blur: Where Does Biology End and Society Take Over?” Deborah Blum identifies gender to be biologically determined but society plays a role as well. Beginning her argument, she brings some insight on how she was raised to believe that “every human being was exactly alike under the skin” (678). Then tells how this prospective changed when she had her own children. “This dawned on me during my older son’s dinosaur phase” she stated then goes on describing how her son would pretend to gnaw off her leg (679). Then shows that young girls didn’t show this kind of aggression to their companions. Although, Blum believes that other types of sex differences can be blurred through social interaction th...

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... didn’t have a good relationship with his father. In result of all of the females raising him, he has always been a little feminine in his ways. Also, he dresses like a normal teenage guy and has a wide body stance with a masculine walk. This is why I believe both of the articles are accurate in the influences of how we determine our sexuality. My friend had a strong social influence by family and other close relationships; however, I feel he is also biologically influenced.

Works Cited

Blum, Deborah. "The Gender Blur: Where Does Biology End and Society Take Over?" Signs of Life in the USA: Readings on Popular Culture for Writers. By Sonia Maasik. Boston: Bedford, 1997. 678-85. Print.

Devor, Aaron. "Gender Role Behaviors and Attitudes." Signs of Life in the USA: Readings on Popular Culture for Writers. By Sonia Maasik. Boston: Bedford, 1997. 672-77. Print.

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