The concept of Gender is loaded with a variety of interpretations and expressions in individuals and in society. Caitlyn Jenner highlights the paradigms between ‘ideal man’ and ‘ideal woman’ ‘. Her public transition showcases the cracks we have in society’s conventional binary gender categorizations, and baits two important questions. The First is how much of her transition was influenced biologically and how much of it developed socioculturally and through her self-identity? Secondly, how has society at large promoted gender equality by addressing key issues of gender oppression through gender stereotyping? The exposure Cailtyn Jenner received through her transition enabled an even greater exposure of the sub genders that are often ostracized …show more content…
Cailtin also claims in her interview ‘life is more about a mental state and a lifestyle’’. She identifies with the social habits of women better than of men and her desire to transition is not characterized by the purely physical ‘sex’ aspects as much as it is about the behavioral preferences and mindset of being a woman. Caitlyns transition also pulls into question the characteristics, attributes and expectations we associate to men and women based on their perceived gender. This is known as gender stereotyping. Through Enculturation we perpetuate these stereotypes and promote the normative roles in how we behave. Simone de behavior cited it perfectly when she said ‘’one is not born but rather becomes a woman’’. Society teaches women how to be feminine similarly how men are brought up in their roles. These evolve into the ‘organizing principles’ (APY2601:32) in our society which further perpetuate rigid gender norms and displace or ridicule those who do not conform. These predefined roles breed a level of gender stereotyping which is prevalent in every society and is underpinned by our ‘human creations or artefacts’ which are constructions of culture for sociocultural purposes. (apy2601: 2:31) Previously, Bruce Jenner was the poster boy for masculinity within a western culture, winning the 1976 decathlon, Jenner was characterized by his athleticism, business acumen …show more content…
Even Bruce perpetuated a masculine image regardless of whether this was in line with his true identity. If we examine the social environment today regarding the growing awareness and acceptance of different gender subcultures within western society, it is now socially more acceptable to diversify and explore ones individuality. The growth of liberalism has allowed him to unveil the curtain of his true identity with less ridicule. Instead he is praised for his activism in highlighting the plight of people struggling with gender identity. This launched a large scale awareness of the transgender community. A subculture forms a distinctive identity and customs of a smaller segment of an entire society (APY2601:8). We can no longer pigeonhole gender as this will be expressed differently within various subcultures and within the individual. Herein we are introduced to the link between the state and gender. We have seen the rise of many liberal organizations that have been driving the state to a wider gender acceptance and rights for homosexuals and transgender communities. The LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, bisexual and Transgender) movement has gained a lot of traction in recent years with driving legislation that recognizes the growing community of gender variety. In the USA, the state has had a strong influence in societies growing tolerance and acceptance by introducing laws that protect the disenfranchised gender groups and their identities within legalized constitution. Robert
It was very interesting to read about the different perspectives and experiences that the transmen went through during their transition. When it comes to critiquing this piece, there needed to be more detail on the perspective of men who went through transitioning into women. Schilt seemed to only cover one side of the argument and if she had put in more time, she could have better supported her claim using a transwomen perspective. Nevertheless, Schilt demonstrated a solid argument that supported gender inequality that goes beyond natural difference schemas and physical traits between men and
Gay male, lesbian, and transsexual networks/communities, and cultural practices often had their own differences that coincided with meshing similarities. From the late 1940s to the 1960s, these identities were shaped through experiences of “the closet” and living a “double life,” among other factors. Alan Berubé explores the war’s impact on homosexual identity, speaking for both gay males and lesbians in “Marching to a Different Drummer: Lesbian and Gay GIs in World War II.” In “We Walk Alone,” Ann Aldrich helps identify the varying types of lesbians, addressing their intimate relationships with each other that are becoming more visible. Harry Benjamin touches more on the medical and scientific side of transsexualism and the obvious fact that
In one interview Katie Couric sat down with Cox and transgender model Carmen Carrera to discuss their experiences as high-profile transgender women. However, Couric seemed “…mostly interested in talking to both women about their genitalia, in order to ‘educate’ others who may not be ‘familiar with transgenders’” (McDonough 2014). This demonstrates a distinct lack of the sociolinguistic competence necessary to determine what questions are or are not appropriate in a social setting. No cis woman would be expected to answer questions about their genitalia in a televised interview, yet these inappropriate questions are ones trans women face far too often. The fascination with investigating whether or not they fit with the mainstream media’s view of what a woman is—one who’s gender identity and genitalia both match—results in a complete disregard for what would otherwise be a very clearly taboo topic. Additionally, her use of “transgenders” as a noun shows a clear lack of understanding in even the most basic rhetoric used in describing trans individuals, emphasizing once again the linguistic divide between cis gendered woman and trans gendered
First Mock discusses Jenner’s ability to successfully navigate the media maelstrom of being the largest symbol for the trans community. Mock compares this to her own experience of being a trans woman in the media. She also pays credit to Christine Jorgenson who formed the mold of what it was like to be the first person crossing the gender barrier under the media’s shallow lens. Next Mock interplays the ideas of glamour with privilege by illustrating Jenner’s ability to use her wealth and fame to put her in a position to choreograph her glamour to embody the cis-normative beauty ideal. She states that for many trans women, presentation as a woman by using glamour is a matter of safety in order to blend into a gender binary society filled with resentment and intolerance for the trans society. This leads into the disassociation most trans people who are transitioning face when dealing with healthcare. For most, this is a resource that is widely unavailable. However, due to Jenner’s privilege, she is able to have access to all the best healthcare for gender affirming procedures. Jenner was able to transition swifty, but this experience does not relate for most who often spend decades accumulating the funds necessary for the costly medical care. Finally Mock summarizes by saying that the trans community is fortunate to have access to the experiences documented during Jenner’s transition process so that more people come away with a greater understanding of the practices
Seidman, Steven, Nancy Fischer , and Chet Meeks. "Transsexual, transgender, and queer." New Sexuality Studies. North Carolina: Routledge, 2011. . Print.
With the “Orange Is the New Black” star, Laverne Cox being transgender and permitted to play a vivid character as “Sophia”, Caitlyn Jenner’s announcement on the Diane Sawyer interview in 2015, and the arsenal of social media, being non-cisgender (not the gender assigned at birth) in general, has been discussed more than ever. Due to the Internet’s broadness, people who met this classification are unraveling new identities such as non-binary and genderqueer (only people who are this can say this word as “queer” is a slur). Being cisgender is the norm in society. I am also non-cisgender and this is an unique thing that possessed many scars.
In this article, Shaw and Lee describe how the action of labels on being “feminine” or “masculine” affect society. Shaw and Lee describe how gender is, “the social organization of sexual difference” (124). In biology gender is what sex a person is and in culture gender is how a person should act and portray themselves. They mention how gender is what we were taught to do in our daily lives from a young age so that it can become natural(Shaw, Lee 126). They speak on the process of gender socialization that teaches us how to act and think in accordance to what sex a person is. Shaw and Lee state that many people identify themselves as being transgendered, which involves a person, “resisting the social construction of gender into two distinct, categories, masculinity and femininity and working to break down these constraining and polarized categories” ( 129). They write about how in mainstream America masculinity and femininity are described with the masculine trait being the more dominant of the two. They define how this contributes to putting a higher value of one gender over the other gender called gender ranking (Shaw, Lee 137). They also speak about how in order for femininity to be viewed that other systems of inequality also need to be looked at first(Shaw,Lee 139).
Now, social control, according to Chambliss’ and Eglitis’ book Discovering Sociology, is the act of citizens, activist, politicians, celebrities, and groups attempt to control the perception of the populace for the sake of conformity to the social status quo and regulations (2015, pg.147). Now, when considering this information, it is easy to see there is a struggle between two groups attempting to establish dominance. For example, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community is using the status of particular internet platforms to launch a nation acceptance platform (National Center for Transgender Equality, 2015). Consequently, the public can now associate the transgender community with an attractive, likable face, allowing easier acceptance of the new norm. Conversely, there are politicians and activist groups launching counter offenses in the means of legislation to maintain the previous gender norms in the pockets of conservative societies (WBUR Newsroom, 2016). Now, that there is evidence emphasizing social control, let’s move
Gender Outlaws (Smith, 2010) breaks the laws of gender by defying gender normative rules that exclude trans, queer and other non-conforming gender expressions often oppressed by “gender-norming rules,” rules, “expected to observe” or be subject to ridicule and often times labeled as freak by those who consider themselves as normal (p. 28). A gender outlaw seeks to, redefine the notion of gender and are carving out spaces of their own” (p. 30).
Throughout today’s society, almost every aspect of someone’s day is based whether or not he or she fits into the “norm” that has been created. Specifically, masculine and feminine norms have a great impact that force people to question “am I a true man or woman?” After doing substantial research on the basis of masculine or feminine norms, it is clear that society focuses on the males being the dominant figures. If males are not fulfilling the masculine role, and females aren’t playing their role, then their gender identity becomes foggy, according to their personal judgment, as well as society’s.
Throughout this Psychology of Gender course we have discussed many aspects that go into understanding gender identity and how these components play a major role in an individual’s life. Recent advancements in psychology have shown that there is a difference between biological sex, gender and gender identity and that understanding gender is a lot more complex then it seems. The media has also played a significant role in shifting attention towards a greater visibility of gender expression, with coverage of celebrity’s such as Rupaul, Laverne Cox and Caitlin Jenner who do not fit traditional ideas of gender. By understanding how biological sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and sexual attraction correlate with one’s
In the United states during the 1920’s, or roaring twenties, through the 30’s was a time of vast African American musical and artistical expression. This movement called “The Harlem Renaissance” gave way to new ideas about homosexuality and transgenders. This movement was also, “Marked by the attitude that homosexuality was a personal matter”(Gibson 52). In other words, they thought that being gay, lesbian, or transgender was a personal choice and should not be against the law. Although a lot of attention was being given to gays and lesbians during this time, not much was written about transgenders until later on in
Around the world gender is genuinely seen as strictly male or female. If you step out of this “social norm,” you could be considered an outcast. This disassociation includes, biological males/females, interssexed, and transgendered individuals. These people are severely suppressed by society because their gender identification, behaviors, and even their activities deviate from the norm. Most Americans are exceedingly devoted to the concept that there are only two sexes. Therefore, the constrictive American ideals of male and female gender identities inhibits growth and acceptance of gender expression.
In a news about the 32 years old pop star Beyonce “Gender Equality is a Myth” (CNN Wire 13 Jan. 2014). She wrote an essay about this on Maria’s website, The Shriver Report. She wrote that we need to...
Society has planted a representation into people’s minds on how each gender is supposed to be constructed. When one thinks of the word gender, the initial responses are male and female but gender may be represented in many additional terms. As defined, “Gender refers to the social expectations that surround these biological categories.” (Steckley, 2017, pg.256) Gender is something that is ascribed,