Baby X Research Paper

2783 Words6 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The media with gender roles

INTRODUCTION
While doing research, I stumbled across a story about a Baby X who was raised in a world where gender norms did not apply to this child. No one knew the gender of Baby X. Growing up the child wore gender neutral clothing, played with both dolls and trucks, and participated in both ‘feminine’ activities such as baking, and ‘masculine’ activities such as relay races. However, parents of Baby X’s friends thought that Baby X was a ‘misfit’ and a ‘bad example’ and people from the community demanded to know the child’s gender and force him or her to behave like whichever it was (Gould, 1995). Why did so many people have a problem with Baby X resisting the typical gender norms? Why must a child be identified as either a boy or a girl and act in accordance to their sex? Gender norms are extremely inherent in society and many conform to these social rules. Although there are endless possibilities to study when it comes to gender norms, this paper is going to focus on the construction of masculinity and how it is problematic in the way that many people in society view it and reinforce it.
POWER, KNOWLEDGE & THE SELF
In order to understand how the concept of masculinity was created, we first need to look at why norms are so often blindly followed in the first place. Foucault believes that there is a relationship between power, knowledge, and the self which encourages our reproduction of societal norms. These three concepts are intertwined and all have an impact on each other. Power is evident in almost all aspects of life and Foucault understood it as assumptions of truth that, “when embodied in specific codes of knowledge and practice, give some people immediate practical power over others” (Foote & Frank, 1999 p. 163). In or...

... middle of paper ...

...9). It is through this resistance and criticism that the dominant discourse can be challenged and destroyed.
CONCLUSION
Overall, the concept of masculinity has become widely accepted as truth in society. History has shown that men have been expected to live up to standards constructed by those in power in order to be viewed as ‘real men’. Unfortunately, this norm has rarely been challenged and it can cause many problems including thinking that a man who is out late at night is dangerous, or it can stem out to larger social issues such as homophobia. Thus, we must stop accepting these norms as true and instead search for our own truths. Social workers must become aware of the power that is present in working relationships and attempt to help clients build their own identity while using minimum domination and working in the least oppressive way (Foote & Frank, 1999).

Show More
Related

  • Shotgun Lovesongs Analysis

    2003 Words  | 5 Pages

    The concept of masculinity is considered as the qualities and characteristics of a man, typical what is appropriate to a man. In this article, A Community Psychology of Men and Masculinity: Historical and Conceptual Review, The author Eric S. Mankowski and Kenneth I. Maton, analyze four main themes: "Men as gendered beings, the privilege and damage of being a masculine man, men as a privileged group, and men’s power and subjective powerlessness. The second and fourth themes are described as

    Read More

  • Hegemony In The Prison Notebooks: Case Study

    838 Words  | 2 Pages

    140). Hegemonic masculinity alludes to the stratification and interpretations of masculinity and, progressive systems of force, power, and acknowledgement among men, and amongst men and women (Connell, 1993). “International research has strongly confirmed the initial insight that gender orders construct multiple masculinities” (Connell, & Messerschmidt, 2005, p. 835). At any point in time, one type of masculinity can be socially elevated and more prominent in social settings (Connell, 1993). Hegemonic masculinity is the arrangement of gender stereotypes that encapsulates the current acknowledged response to the issue of the authenticity of patriarchy—which ensures the predominant position of men and the subordination of women (Connell, 1997). Furthermore, a considerable body of research shows that masculinities are not simply different but also subject to change” (Connell, & Messerschmidt, 2005, p. 835). “Hegemonic gender norms set expectations about what is “appropriate” for men and women” (Friedman, 2015, p. 147). For example, in our neoliberal capitalist culture men and women are bombarded with marketing that supports hegemonic masculinity and defines what being a man or woman should look like. “Hegemonic masculinity was understood as the pattern of practice (i.e., things done, not just a set of role expectations or an identity) that

    Read More

  • Beyonce's Influence On Gender Essentialism

    675 Words  | 2 Pages

    Risman (1988:14) notes that “early childhood socialization is an influential determinant of later behavior, and research has focused on how societies create feminine women and masculine men.” Rather than focusing on gender as natural and fixed, Risman (1998) suggests instead that gender can be viewed at three levels: individual, interactional, and institutional. Instead of viewing the differences between men and women outlined in “If I Were A Boy” as natural and fixed, sociologists would instead look to socialization and societal norms to explain why men and women appear dissimilar. Additionally, many sociologists view gender as being continuously created; Risman (1988:10) notes “the pervasive differences between male[s] and female[s]…are continuously created by the gendered structures in which we all live.” Sociologists, who would instead view these perceived differences as a product of our society, would heavily dispute the gender essentialist perspective taken in “If I Were A Boy”.

    Read More

  • Hegemonic Masculinity in American Society

    1499 Words  | 3 Pages

    Masculinity is described as possession of attributes considered typical of a man. Hegemonic masculinity is a form of masculine character with cultural idealism and emphasis that connects masculinity to competitiveness, toughness, and women subordination. Masculinity hegemonic is the enforcement of male dominion over a society. Masculine ideology dates back to the time of agrarian and the industrial revolution in Europe when survival compelled men to leave their homesteads to work in industries to earn a living for their families while women remained at home to take care of family affairs (Good and Sherrod 210). Women did not work in industries then because industrial labor was considered too physical beyond their capacity. This led to definition of roles which placated the position of men in a society while condemning women as mere subordinates who cannot do without men. The critics of gender stereotypes in America describe the following five hegemonic features of masculinity: frontiersman ship, heterosexuality, occupational achievement, familial patriarchy, and physical force and control (Trujillo 4). The advent of the 20th century led to sweeping changes in American masculinity.

    Read More

  • What Is Socia Social Roles In Planned Parenthood?

    1169 Words  | 3 Pages

    It is widely accepted that masculine is synonymous with male and feminine with female. While it is typical for males to enjoy typically masculine activities, it is seen negatively when males enjoy a typically feminine activity. Not only is it seen as a bad thing, but young boys are often bullied or even punished for liking something that is seen as feminine. Girls are also often shunned for liking anything associated with masculine hobbies, usually having to prove that they “are not like like other girls”, insinuating that even girls who happen to like feminine activities are not to be sought after in this particular social system. Doctor Vanessa Cullins from Planned Parenthood talks about how children learn from a young age how they are supposed to fit into our social system and how damaging that can be during adolescence while the children try to create their own identity. I chose this topic because I think that we, as a society, do not think into this issue too deeply and yet it persists in our everyday lives.

    Read More

  • Victoria Bromley Feminist Analysis

    1040 Words  | 3 Pages

    Realistically, when someone is more powerful, they have the ability to set the rules. Men have historically held power in society, which means that women did not have as much stance or freedoms as men have had in the past. For example, Canadian women did not have the right to vote until the year 1916. This factor has continued to trail into the present day, creating the ‘weak’ image towards women, overall forcing and pushing men to become the opposite of this factor. Thus, cultural ideals of masculinity rely on the ideas of femininity through patriarchy and gender binaries. The emphasis on characteristics of men are being exaggerated, as society is pressuring men with unattainable standards of masculinity such as being tough, muscular and buff. Men continue to conform to these characteristics, in the fear of being oppressed through exclusion, which only strengthens society’s standards even more. This leads to more societal pressures on men, thus leading men to experience more societal pressures in the fear of feeling excluded. These “systems of inclusion and exclusion are divisions or barriers that prevent people from joining and belonging.” (50). For example, if a man wears nail polish, they may be oppressed and excluded through facing ridicule and bullying, because wearing nail polish is considered “girly”, therefore this boy is rebelling against society’s socially

    Read More

  • Building Men For Others By Joe Ehrmann Summary

    651 Words  | 2 Pages

    The topics that Joe Ehrmann uses as framework for his Building Men for Others program are quite intriguing and make you really question masculinity. The first topic, rejecting false masculinity, can be interpreted a few different ways. In the book, it states: “As young boys, we’re told to be men, or to act like men” soon followed with “we’ve got all these parents say ‘be a man’ to boys that have no concept of what that means. I completely agree with the statement of Joe Ehrmann and often question the definition of ‘being a man’. Many boys and men will reject the idea of a man being anything other than being big and strong or having power.

    Read More

  • Gender Conflicts In The Girl With Bangs By Zadie Smith

    956 Words  | 2 Pages

    Gender role conflicts constantly place a role in our everyday life. For many years we have been living in a society where depending on our sexuality, we are judged and expected to behave and act certain way to fulfill the society’s gender stereotypes. The day we are born we are labeled as either a girl or boy and society identifies kids by what color they wear, pink is for girls and blue is for boys. Frequently, we heard the nurses in the Maternity facility saying things like, “Oh is a strong boy or is beautiful fragile princess.” Yet, not only in hospitals we heard this types of comments but we also see it on the media…

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Feminist Studies Of Men

    936 Words  | 2 Pages

    Masculinity is a subject that has been debated in our society for quite some time. Many wonder what it means to be masculine, as it is difficult to define this one –sided term. Pairing this already controversial term with “feminist studies” can bring about some thought - provoking conversation. Feminist studies of men have been around for many years with regards to the feminist movement. It seeks to create gradual improvements to society through its main principle of modifying the ways in which everyone views what it means to be a man. Feminist studies of men bring forth the discussion of hegemonic masculinity; how this contributes to the gender hierarchy, the radicalized glass escalator and ultimately the faults of this theory.

    Read More

  • Learning To Be Gendered By Penelope Eckert's Learning To Be Gendered?

    820 Words  | 2 Pages

    Symbolic culture takes effect on a baby from the instant it is within its mother’s womb. The question then rises: “boy or girl?”. The purpose of that question is what drives the process of gendering today, and is the topic of the article, Learning to Be Gendered, by Penelope Eckert and Sally McConnell-Ginet. Assigning gender to an individual is an act that sets out the life - and sometimes roles - that one can expect whilst growing up in society. The concept is ages old, and is a result of human observance and nature. Gendering newborns into the world is a naturally occurring process that yields potential negative results due to the socialization of gender stereotypes from birth.

    Read More

  • Double Standard Of Masculinity In Gender Role Socialization

    2419 Words  | 5 Pages

    Masculinity is a topic that has been debated in our society extensively, through research as well as in informal settings. Many wonder what it means to be masculine, and if we can really assign a definition to such a subjective term. After all, shouldn't one's own perception be the determinant of what constitutes masculinity? This self-construction would be the ideal in our society, but unfortunately, it represents a false belief. Masculinity has certain characteristics assigned to it by our culture.

    Read More

  • Mainstream Masculinity's Negative Effects On Men

    717 Words  | 2 Pages

    Men are taught to be apathetic at a young age; don’t be a sissy, boys don’t cry, and man up are rules that are deeply embedded in men’s minds as they are acknowledged as “masculine”. Mainstream masculinity promotes domination, and power abuse which affect isn’t solely on those who are being dominated against, as men are perhaps the first victims to such toxic thinking. Mainstream masculinity breeds toxic masculinity which boosts violence against women, LGBT people, and those who are “less” powerful, so are men the problem? No, patriarchy is; the system that sets these rules and regulations. In this paper, I will discuss masculinity’s negative affect on men, and how feminist masculinity can free them.

    Read More

  • Masculinity in the Workplace

    1029 Words  | 3 Pages

    The concept of masculinity first emerged during the early stages of the modern industrial revolution. With the rapid progress of technology, the conditions of living became better and the traditional definition of masculinity changed. Today, in the modern workplace of America, masculinity is a factor that has to be taken into account by managers and also by employees. It plays a crucial and distinctive role in the way people will interact with each other and shapes the way relations of power and hierarchy are formed.

    Read More

  • Overcoming Masculinity

    938 Words  | 2 Pages

    In todays society everyone constantly fights on the gender role issues about breaking and/or rewriting them to accommodate the needs of everyone, yet when you touch the topic of men ad their “masculinity” it becomes a soft spot. Masculinity doesn’t defy your strength or make you feel any “less” of a man, but many aspects greatly affect the outcomes of the following beliefs.

    Read More

  • Gender Neutral Parenting Essay

    2034 Words  | 5 Pages

    Over the decades, a significant mark of the evolution of gender is the increasing social phenomenon in how society conceptualizes gender. Gender is a system of social practices for characterizing people as two different categories, femininity and masculinity and arranging social relations of inequality on the basis of that difference (Ridgeway & Correll 2004). Gender-neutral parenting (GNP) refers to raising children outside of the traditional stereotypes of girls and boys. It involves allowing children to explore their innate personalities and abilities rather than confining them into rigid gender roles that society has shaped. It can be argued that it is through socialization children discover how to operate in gendered structures, learn

    Read More

More about Baby X Research Paper

Open Document