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Masculinity and femininity
Gender role theory social construction of gender
Gender role theory social construction of gender
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1. Identify three limitations of sex role theory based on the social constructionist perspective.
The first limitation of the sex role theory is it posits singular normative definition of masculinity and femininity (Kimmel 117). For example, the meaning of masculitinity and femininity can be different from country to country. The second limitation is the sex role theory depoliticizes gender making gender a set of individual attributes and not an aspect of social structure (Kimmel 117). Lastly, the sex role theory separates two spheres as if sex role differentiation (Kimmel 118).
2. Explain the concept of “doing gender”. Then explain how it differs from another perspective discussed (psychology, biology).
The concept of “doing gender” is not
In the theory “Doing Gender” by Candace West and Don H. Zimmerman negate the fantastic qualification between the social built “gender” instead of the natural “sex”. Rather they contend for a more mind boggling relations in the middle of social and physical components. In this theory by West and Zimmerman the meaning of gender is a sociological one which depends on codes and traditions that are at the establishment of regular exercises. “Doing Gender” intends to perform complex societal exercises of discernment, communication and of micro politics which characterize certain exercises and interest and manly or female. Conventional sex discernments perspective man and woman as regular and unequivocal classifications. They believe “doing gender” is through the garments you wear, the way you talk, etc. Basically, doing gender alludes to carrying on or thinking in a way that
To start, Gender is constructed by society and therefore, it is constantly changing over time (Lorber, 2003). Gender is something that is acted out in each person’s everyday life or the routines of everyday activities. Gender is mostly carried out with simply thinking about the actions of specific genders. Gender roles are often expected soon after a child is born—a girl according to the gender roles, should wear pink and a baby boy should wear blue. Comments are often made before a child can even cognitively understand the idea of gender, such as, “he is going to be such a strong little boy,” or “she is going to be such a princess”. These ideas lead to socially-constructed gender and why men and women behave the way that they do.
Lorber uses a very effective example of “doing gender” of a man who carried a female child in a stroller dressing the child in boyish clothes. The man was stared at and people around him found it really shocking that he was performing the role of a woman (because g...
One theory of gender role development would be Kohlberg's theory of gender development (1966). His theory indicates that gender develops throughout different stages. Therefore, he predicts that children think about gender in characteristic ways in each stage. Going through the various stages children develop a more complex understanding of behaviour. The different stages are gender identity, gender stability and gender constancy.
Beliefs about the role, behavior, and emotions of men and women are always described through societal means. Many theorists assert that perceived gender roles create the fundamentals for the development of gender identity. Prominent psychological theories of gender role and gender identity development include gender schema theory, which states that children learn how their cultures and societies define the roles of men and women and then internalize this knowledge as a gender schema, or unchallenged core belief.
The the book introduces the topic by defining sex and gender. Sex refers to the biology of your body, there are two aspects within this concept: primary sex characteristics and secondary characteristics. Primary characteristic is the genitalia which you are born with. Secondary sex characteristics has to do with the hormones; distribution of male and female hormones. Gender on the other hand is a societal concept that comes along with gender roles; which is when society places roles on how each gender should act. This is where sexist stereotypes such as “girls like pink and boys like blue” come about. Gender roles become impacted by other factors such as: religion, class, race, culture to name only a few. Culture and other aspects alter what is perceived as the norm; some cultures recognize an androgynous gender, while the concept is still taboo in many cultures. This chapter, assesses how patriarchy prevails given the fact that gender roles create an environment meant to benefit males more than
Although, I did not know much about “performing” gender I always acted myself and did not care what anyone thought about me. It was difficult for me being biracial growing up because I never knew where I fit in. My identity is something that I perform and have always performed in ways that is most comfortable for me. Gender is involved in our everyday lives. It is a way people express who they are and how they want to be represented in society. In the article Doing Gender by West and Zimmerman, they explain how gender is everyday interactions among individuals. Ultimately, gender is socially complex and guided amongst individuals. Gender is decided individually, so to speak, but gender is developed into something that is socially identified. It is a way an individual can express their attitude based on their designated sex category. Gender has been developed into something that is socially defined because of how nature gives abilities to notice differences between masculinity and femininity As stated in the article, by West and Zimmerman, they noted in the article, how it is “necessary to move beyond the notion of gender display to consider what is involved in doing gender as an ongoing activity embedded in everyday interaction.”(West, Zimmerman 1987) There are social interactions involved in everyday situations that correspond with gender that most people don’t recognize. Believe it or not, you wake up every day and probably don’t even realize you are performing your gender identity. Your gender is your role in society and what you make of
I agree with Pascoe's analysis that gender is a socialization process in which society dictates to us what is considered feminine and what is considered masculine. For example, we learn at an early age the color pink
The men and women in Brave New World have very different roles in society. They are different not only based on sex, but also on location and the situation at hand. In situations or places of power, such as the workplace, men are represented as physiologically and mentally superior to women. This includes most situations in life. Women, however, do maintain a higher standing when relating to social roles. When it comes to sexual situations, they both seem to hold the same standing. In Brave New World, men are held in a higher standing than women in all situations, excluding the single category of social situations.
The reading "What it Means to Be Gendered Me: Life on the Boundaries of a Dichotomous Gender System" by Lucal was about a woman that experience the rigidity of gender in the society we live. In the reading the author explains the gender role of socialization that often reinforces gender inequality because men and women are supposed to have different and opposite occupational roles. By the experience of the women, he explains the concept of "doing gender" which society do gender every time without even noticing. Doing gender describes the ways in we actively obey and break gender rules (Wade and Ferree 2015: 61). Moreover, gender rules are instructions of how to appear and behave as a men or a woman (Wade and Ferree 2015: 61). The woman in the
In America, there was, and still is, many stereotypes that are placed upon men and women. For example, men have emotional stereotypes placed on them, just simple, they shouldn't show any emotions, other than ones that are sexually charged, or they should carry all the muscle in the family. More physical stereotypes are ones among the lines of them having really defined muscles or that they should like cars or anything having to do with grilling, they should be all about. In contrast, women, are suppose to carry the emotions, and not have any feelings toward being sexual creatures. More physical ones include, makeup or having big butt or boobs. Stereotypes have been developed throughout history and have never really
Gender is the psychological characteristics and social categories that are created by human culture. Doing gender is the concept that humans express their gender when they interact with one another. Messages about how a male or female is supposed to act come from many different places. Schools, parents, and friends can influence a person. Another major factor that influences millions of impressionable females and males is television. Not only does the television teach each sex how to act, it also shows how one sex should expect the other sex to act. In the current television broadcasting, stereotypical behavior goes from programming for the very small to adult audiences. In this broadcasting range, females are portrayed as motherly, passive and innocent, sex objects, or they are overlooked completely or seen as unimportant entities.
Doing gender is creating differences between sexes that are not considered natural, essential, or biological. We as individuals are always doing gender; the social identities we hold are just interchangeable based upon the situation. When a person’s action is related to the opposite sex category than what one is placed in, there is a challenge on the norm, or a role conflict. Doing gender appropriately is when an individual displays the appropriate actions of the gender ideally by the society; which in turn creates gender differences and inequalities. The appropriate way is what society deems as the correct way to behave as a specific sex. For example; doing gender correctly would be when a women regardless of her work outside the home is, she is deemed responsible for household and child care tasks. This is the case for no reason outside of it is socially what was decided as the “woman’s” job. While doing gender men are doing dominance and women deference as the social order placed on the natural differences individuals hold. We become what we
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...
Thesis: It is unknown to a lot of people that there are more gender identities than just “male” and “female”. One can identify as the opposite gender than their sex, no gender, both, or a unique identity that defines them.