To be born a male or a female in society is a fact of the biological theory. On the other hand, from a social constructionist point of view, gender is a “set of activities that one does. When we do gender, we do it in front of other people; it is validated and legitimated by the evaluations of others” (Kimmel 2013, 139). Basically, Kimmel is saying that gender is something that we do and is developed based on our interactions and environment. Gender is accomplished through interactions with other individuals in institutions. That is to say, social constructionists “builds on the other social and behavioral sciences, adding specific dimensions to the exploration of gender” (Kimmel 2013, 115). In other words, Kimmel believes that gender identity …show more content…
On the other hand, the “difference theories” of gender rely on the works of scientific, biological, and endocrinological research on sex hormones, which tends to be problematic. Based on fetal hormonal research, “the secretion of sex hormones has a decisive effect on the development of gender identity and on the expressions of masculinity and femininity” (Kimmel 2013, 44). As a result, because men produce testosterone, they are naturally aggressive. Unfortunately, that is not true because both men and women produce testosterone, instead men “have higher levels of testosterone and higher rates of aggressive behavior than females do” (Kimmel 2013, 44). Neurobiologist Robert Sapolsky explains that “testosterone [does not cause] aggression. [Instead, it exaggerates] the aggression that is already there” (Kimmel 2013, 44). That is to say, both males and females can be aggressive and “much of the research on hormones and gender identity has been done by inference” (Kimmel 2013, 45). According to Sapolsky, “genes don’t cause behaviors” (Kimmel 2013, 29). For that purpose, social …show more content…
For instance, Kimmel explains that, “biological models assume that biological sex determines gender, that innate biological differences lead to behavioral differences, which in turn lead to social arrangements” (Kimmel 2013, 58). However, that is not true. According to anthropologist Margaret Mead, “sex differences are not ‘something deeply biological,’ but rather are learned and, once learned, become part of the ideology that continues to perpetuate them” (Kimmel 2013, 60). Basically, Mead is saying that sex roles and behavior vary from culture to culture. As a result, gender is developed primarily by socialization or based on one’s cultural environment. Therefore, the social constructionist theory argues that, “not only do gendered individuals negotiate their identities within gendered institutions, but also those institutions produce the very differences we assume are the properties of individuals” (Kimmel 2013, 127). Hence, gender is not something an individual is born with, instead, gender takes time to
In simpler terms sex is the anatomy you are born with while gender is learned through socialization. To say that gender is socially constructed means that because you are born a certain sex you have to act a certain way. For example there are many socially constructed gender roles that males and females both follow. One example of this is how males are given toys that represent weapons to play with while females are given baby dolls and play kitchens. In my view I feel that sex is most central to the identity of an individual because if you are born male or female you are going identify with that sex which then leads to the social construction of gender. An example of an in-group I know I belong to is an athlete. Being an athlete my concept of gender and gender roles have been impacted by the comparison of physical ability between males and
As opposed to each other, both sides demonstrate the idea of how gender behavior is socially constructed. However one side, Devor, focuses primary on the idea that societal expectations are the major contribution as to how one should act based on their gender. On the other hand, Blum, focuses on how the scheme behind gender identity is based on biological relations, but she doesn’t completely disagree with Devor’s point to a certain extent. It’s proven that it takes both biology as well as society to determine an individual’s societal gender role, which results to a qualification of Blum’s argument overpowering Devor’s.
Gender roles are not the product of innate biology; They are formed based on the cultural and societal beliefs that surround an individual during their development. These factors play a very important role in gender identity, and often lead individuals to believe in stereotypical representations of gender identity such as gender roles. The way in which these cultures interpret the expression of gender identity heavily impacts the way an individual chooses to express themselves.
Gender differences are influences on gender behavior in the way that one must fit through the assumptions and inevitable confusion to distinguish the reality of the assumption. Men and women are obviously different inherently, but not in what they can and cannot do. Men and women are different and have different roles because this is society presented them to the world. Women have the most difficulty getting through these complicated times. There should be equality among all men and women of all races and ethnicity. This is a never-ending issue. We as a society should always know and act on the importance of gender roles, gender equality, and challenges with education in developed and developing countries.
view holds that gender is not biologically based, but rather it is a cultural construct that is
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.
In both males and females an increase in testosterone induces more aggressive behaviours. However testosterone is negatively related to externalising behaviours in females and positively related to such a behaviour in males (Booth et al, 2003). There is little research at the moment to actively account for gender differences shown in behaviours caused by testosterone.
The terms sex, gender and sexuality relate with one another, however, sociologists had to distinguish these terms because it has it’s own individual meaning. Sex is the biological identity of a person when they are first born, like being a male or female. Gender is the socially learned behaviors and expectations associated with men and women like being masculine or feminine. Gender can differentiate like being a man, woman, transgender, intersex, etcetera. Sexuality refers to desire, sexual preference, and sexual identity and behavior (1). Sexuality can differentiate as well like being homosexual, heterosexual, bisexual, etcetera. Like all social identities, gender is socially constructed. In the Social Construction of Gender, this theory shows
In reality, gender is not based on one’s genetic make-up or their reproductive organs. Expanding on this, an individual does not have any control over their assigned gender, but everyone has a gender identity, which is one’s internal sense of being male or female. From a sociocultural perspective, gender roles have the greatest influence on gender as a social construction. Gender roles are the attitudes, behaviors, rights, and responsibilities that particular cultural groups associate with each sex. In regards to gender, the social construction theory acknowledges the connection the topic has with power and meaning, and states that social interaction, or “language” controls how these things are portrayed to individuals. Similarly, sexuality is socially constructed in a sense that, one’s sexual orientation depends on what they are taught to be “socially acceptable”. For example, a person who is raised by homophobic parents would most likely be taught that every aspect of homosexuality is wrong, and therefore they would be influenced to be heterosexual. While many would like to believe that people are born with their sexual orientation, that is far from the truth. All in all, when looking at the big picture, it is clear that race, gender,
Gender can be identified as a social construction through social interactions by observing other people and through the things we do. Individual’s identities and behaviors are constructed by encounters with the social world. Gender can be influenced by one’s culture, family values religion or their ethnicity. An example of gender being socially constructed is a baby being a boy or girl based off a gender reveal. The day a child is born into the world they face the colors pink or blue. In other words, without having any control they are placed in the colors that most closely identifies with their gender they were given to at birth. Another way the world is
Gender is the range of characteristics pertaining to, and differentiating between, masculinity and femininity. A feminist generally self-defines as advocating for or supporting the rights and equality of women. Constructionism (in the context of learning) is the idea that people learn effectively through making things. This essay will be talking about the differentiating between genders . Constructionism is another term or another word for constrctivsim .
In order to grasp the concept of social construction of gender, it is essential to understand the difference between sex and gender. Biologically, there are only two reproductive genital organs that are determinants of sex: the vagina and the penis. Sex is established solely through biological structures; in other words, genitalia are the basis of sex. Once a sex category is determined, gender, a human categorization socially attached to sex, is assigned based on anatomy. Gender typically references social or cultural differen...
Social Construction of Gender is a process, stratification system and structure. The day to day interactions emphasize gender as opposites. Take for instance, conversations, formalities of daily life, sayings, and so on. The social construction of gender is created through social interaction – through the things we do and say with other people. This means that gender it is not a fixed or inherent fact, but instead it varies across time and place.
Social Construction of Gender Today’s society plays a very important role in the construction of gender. Gender is a type of issue that has raised many questions over the years in defining and debating if both male and female are equal. Today, gender is constructed in four different ways. The The first way gender is defined is by the family in which a child is raised.
Sagan, D. (2000). Hormones Determine Gender Traits.Male/female roles: opposing viewpoints (pp. 42-43,46). San Diego, Calif.: Greenhaven Press.