...seen as dominant, and in athletic apparel, or casual clothing. But not every female nor male fits these stereotypes. I have changed the aspect of myself from the perceived philosophies of dressing in femininity. I have created a gender argument producing an identity that does not precisely match my so called gender. I argue that cross dressing on a woman does not define a woman’s gender nor sexuality. With what is considered male clothing, I am still a woman. My intentions are to show the relationship between gender and sex and how gender and sex is socially constructed. To address the nature of identity through feminist ideas and how it is represented. I offer to show that one's...
Words: 1826 - Pages: 8
...Gender And Its Social Unstoppable Construction Abstract This paper provides information about the social construction of gender. Research from seven different journal articles organized into the categories of children, men, women, and the culture of Bugistribe, Indonesia.The understanding of gender roles is evident in children, even at the age of three years old. Studies show that parent’s set unclear norms regarding gender roles, which confuses kids. Moreover, there is historical background on social construction and women. The importance of the role of beauty in the female gender role showing how young women are being more sexualized. Also, the role of eating disorders in men and women’s genders is addressed. Men’s struggle with masculinity in present society as well as fear of feminism is talked about. Finally, the Bugis tribe, located in South Sulawesi, Indonesia is studied. Their five separate genders show a fascinating look at social construction. Gender And Its Social Unstoppable Construction Gender is an extremely captivating concept. The social construction of gender is an extensive and complicated subject. Looking at the views children have of gender roles shows social construction. Studying how women’s gender roles are socially constructed with feminine behavior is very interesting. Also is fascinating how men attempt to balance and uphold masculinity. Finally, gender in other cultures, specifically the Bugis tribe of Indonesia, have extremely different takes...
Words: 3125 - Pages: 13
...Name: Tutor: Course: Date: Empowerment: How are gender and race socially constructed? From a social construction point of view, gender and race don’t mean anything. They have meaning because the society defines a meaning for them (Judith, 1998). By social construction, we mean how the society group people and how it gives certain groups an advantage over others. For instance, somebody believes that he is a man only because the society says he is a man, not because he wants to be a man. One has no choice to become what he or she wish, but must follow the classification the society has defined. According to Ruth (1993) our daily lives are influenced by race and gender, whether we are aware of it or not. Everyone sees life through a racial lens that colors our society. This view leads to the racial formation. Judith (1998) defines racial formation as a socio-historical process whereby categories are formed, inhibited, changed, and destroyed. By socio-historical, Judith (1998) meant that race was created and given meaning by society due to the many historical events that happened over time. The society classifies people as white, black, Asian or any other minority group (Ruth, 1993). Therefore, the way are seen and how we see other people affects different aspects of our lives. These elements can include the type of friends we have, the kind of job we have, and the amount of money we make. They may also include the type of school we attend and many other things that make us...
Words: 676 - Pages: 3
...term of “gender” was widely used in the academic literature and public discussion to differentiate the gender identity and biological sex. By definition, the term “biological sex”represents the true meaning of an individual sex status. Gender, on the other hand, has multiple interpretations between men, women and what comes in beetween through social development and “nurture” of cultural adoption. Money and Erhardt (1972) suggest that biological gender is what a person perceives or assumes to expose and reveal that “he” or “she” has the sexual status of being male or female. Gender is more than that. It has more complexity that represents way of thinking, ideas, styles, patterns, habits, and many other aspects beyond biological sex status. One notion argues that gender in an essence is natural, stable and something given by God, which means that gender cannot be changed. Most scholars would perceive such theory as Gender Classification by Nature. Other argue that gender is a result of modification and influence of the shape of social institution that constructs and develops its profile on an individual. Thus, gender is based on social-view perception instead of being given and determined biologically. Gender also is recongnised as being derived from Nurture (Nurture Theory). This essays attempts to discuss the application of the above mentioned theories and ideas related to the writer’s social environment and cultural background in Indonesia, where gender is considered...
Words: 1770 - Pages: 8
...it Right, has stimulated discussion on the interactions between gender and education, how they should be understood, and what can be done to foster academic success levels for male students that are as high as those currently being achieved by female students. While performance equity among male and female students should be achieved and maintained, many claims regarding causes and remedies of the systematic performance differences are not supported by research and focus solely on outcomes for male students rather than outcomes for all students, an issue which is analysed by Diny Slamet in their article, The Gender Balance....
Words: 590 - Pages: 3
...foremost feminist Ann Oakley distinguishes between sex and gender where she says, ‘‘sex’ is a biological term: ‘gender’ a psychological and cultural one. Common sense suggest that they are merely two ways of looking at the same division and that someone who belongs to, say, the female sex will automatically belong to the corresponding (feminine) gender. In reality this is not so. To be a man or a woman, boy or a girl, is as much a function of dress, gesture, occupation, social network and personality, as it is of possessing a particular set of genitals.’ (Oakley, 1972:158). Sex as Oakley said refers to the biological difference of being a male or female which can be usually fixed, while gender is the cultural differences between men and women in the society and it can change over time. In societies women and men are expected to behave in ways which are usually expected of them. The differences with sex and gender yet, the perception have different connections. This means despite the fact that sex is biological and gender is social, social definitions are often given to biological attributes, and indeed, most social connotations arise from biological attribute. For example, the reference to women as the weaker sex has a biological base their possession of less physical strength relative to men. Analysing the statement made by Marchbank and Letherby (2007) which says, ‘Sex is deemed to be natural whereas gender is seen as the social expression of natural, biological differences.’ There...
Words: 1761 - Pages: 8
...SOW 5629 Lecture 1 Constructing Differences The readings in this text explore how the categories of race, class, gender, and sexuality are socially constructed and transformed into systems of inequality. I. Introduction Your author states that the categories that we use to describe ourselves and those around us are the product of social rather than biological factors. Relative to race, it is unlikely that anyone is “racially pure.” But we have to recognize the social factors, because these are the bases for social interaction in our daily lives. These social factors make them culturally significant in our daily interactions. Question: Just because we are culturally different, does that make difference itself into a negative? No, it is not differences that are necessarily negative. In fact, cultural differences make us more interesting to one another. So differences in and of themselves, do not make us unequal. **It is the meanings and values applied to these differences that make them harmful. So when we apply meanings and values to these differences, we are essentially creating structures of social stratification – a system by which society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy, and how social stratification results in systems of inequality. In this hierarchy, those at the top of it, are deemed to have positive attributes, and are the keepers of the culture and society. Therefore, they are viewed as being more moral, and intelligent...
Words: 2204 - Pages: 9
..."Killings" by Andre Dubus: The Social Construction of Masculinity. When we think of a man we usually think of a strong, hardworking, protective person. A provider for his family and loved ones. Society has set this image in our heads since the beginning of time. Men worked the farms and provided food for his family, while the wives took care of the children and the house. We know that men do get emotional, and they tend to keep it all internal and not show their weakness because it isn't part of the masculine image. Men aren't supposed to cry or be depressed, they're supposed to be tough and strong. This is the image we have come to know as masculinity. However Matt Fowler is somewhat of both Masculine and non masculine. He is described as a protective father, and a caring husband who provided for his family. He plays his parts that he is supposed to and fills his roles within his family. However on the inside he is dealing with emotions from his sons death that make him seem like a mess, and takes responsibility for ending his families grief. I believe that Matt Fowlers character both supports and negates the social construction of masculinity. So as a male I understand the emotions we go through, and brought up by my father I automatically accepted the gender role of a man. I understand Matt's need to keep his emotions to himself. As a man you don't want to let your emotions show because it makes you look weak. "he neglected his own objections…so that as he spoke to her...
Words: 1696 - Pages: 7
...Gender Identity The origins of gender, like the origins of human nature, are sometimes said to lie in biological determination, sometimes in social construction. Feminist theory began with criticising biological determinism and its portrayal of women, and inevitably emphasised the social construction of gender. However, seeing gender or human nature as wholly or mainly socially constructed seems to deny the biological processes which comprise our physical experiences of ourselves, and it is this omission which has recently led some writers (both feminist and antifeminist) to lay stress on the significance of biology in human behaviour and its development. These two opposing views of the origin of behaviour are still dominant, despite various attempts to emphasise how biology and social context might interact to produce, say, gender differences: this continued dominance of the nature/nurture duality has considerable political relevance to feminism, and has contributed to the rise of the New Right ideology concerning, for example, the natural role of women and the family. Gender-role development is one of the most important areas of human development. In fact, the sex of a newborn sets the agenda for a whole array of developmental experiences that will influence the person throughout his or her life. The often controversial study of the development of gender is a topic that is inherently interesting to parents, students, researchers, and scholars for several reasons. First...
Words: 346 - Pages: 2
...Killerman discusses gender identity, gender expression and biological sex. How do these concepts differ and in what ways do these concepts intersect? According to Killerman, gender identity, gender expression, and biological sex are the primary components that make up one’s gender. Gender identity is one’s perception and experience with gender. Gender expression is one’s ways of showcasing gender identity through physical means, such as clothing, appearance, and behavior. Biological sex is one’s bodily characteristics that usually distinguish male from female. These concepts are unique in the way that one...
Words: 589 - Pages: 3
...Alyssa Boyer SOC 144S 5/1/2012 When pondering about way that I would describe myself, I would usually come up with physical attributes and personality traits to portray who I am. While thinking deeper into my true identity, I see more broad aspects as well as social constructions that have made me who I am today. Due to social construction and the culture that I have been brought up in, I would describe myself physically and share the things that I do in my life. I was raised in a place where everyone around me was similar and if they were of a different color, gender or sexual preference I shouldn’t and wouldn’t look at the differences in them. When taking a step back and looking at the differences between other’s identities and my own, I see that I am a Caucasian female. I am an upper-middle class American but I come from French and German decent. I come from different decent, however myself and my family will always identify with American because ourselves and our grandparents were all born here in the United States. I am heterosexual and I have identified as a female athlete most of my child and adolescent life. I was raised going to Catholic Church so I identify as somewhat religious and attend a highly respected university so I am identifiable as student as well. These words that I use to describe myself show the differences between my upbringing and other cultures. I grew up in a pretty well-off family and in a nice area of a small town. As I grew up, the only...
Words: 1980 - Pages: 8
...Studies (IJMS) Vol.6, No.1, January 2013 pp: 77-97 Glass Ceiling and Women Career Advancement: Evidence from Nigerian Construction Industry Obamiro John Kolade1*, Obasan Kehinde2 1. Department of Business Studies,Covenant University, Ota,Ogun State, Nigeria 2. Department of Business Administration,Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye Ogun State, Nigeria (Received: 9 December 2011; Revised: 19 February 2012; Accepted: 26 February 2012) Abstract Despite the fact that women possess the required knowledge, skills, competencies, training and experiences to perform effectively and efficiently in construction industry, they experience entry and career advancement barriers. This research examines the effects of glass ceiling syndrome on women career advancement in construction industry. Data were obtained through structured questionnaire distributed to workers of selected construction companies. The findings reveal that some of the barriers mentioned in the literature against women career advancement in construction are prevalent in Nigeria, except the existence of equality in respect of male and female in terms of employment and career development opportunity. Also, low women participation in Nigerian construction industry begins in choosing course, education and continues throughout recruitment process. The aim is to encourage women's participation in construction industry and employers to tackle the industry‟s environmental issues by introducing flexible work hour, reducing workload...
Words: 6143 - Pages: 25
...He is a Sister: The Monstrous (De)Construction of the Sex/Gender Binary in Iain Banks’ The Wasp Factory Vikki Winkler English 498: Honours Thesis Advisor: Dr. Jodey Castricano March 31, 2008 If it is appropriate to define “ideology” as that which constitutes social, cultural, and political order, then perhaps it can be said that as a genre, the Gothic paradoxically both challenges and reinforces the stability of these seemingly “fixed” structures and, similarly, that it both disturbs and reifies what one deems “normal” or “natural” in western industrial society. In this way, the Gothic functions as both a noun and a verb, and can be equated to Queer Theory in that it “queers” heteronormative “truth” claims. The Gothic may appear to stabilize the “natural” order because most novels, and now films, end with the eradication of any “monsters” that have posed a threat to society. However, it is the appearance of the “monster” in the first place that gives one pause. One could argue that the Gothic serves as the repository of all that is repudiated in society as “abnormal,” and, in effect, becomes the binary opposite of what western society deems intelligible and legitimate. In general, binaries function as ideological absolutes and exist in pairs that are contingent on one another for their meaning. However, one half of the pair is usually privileged as the original, “true,” and desirable portion of the pair, and the other half takes the position of “other,”...
Words: 1995 - Pages: 8
...imperfections. It oppresses people and causes them to think only in the ways it approves of. Society causes generalizations to become into a reality. In Night to His Day: The Social Construction of Gender, Respected Scholar, Judith Lorber discusses the importance society places on the issue of gender. She talks about how society contributes to assigning gender. Society sets guidelines from what we should expect from women. People are not objects with roles and should not be chosen by another gender or by society. Respected author Alan Johnson believes in the same thing but concentrates on the idea of personal identity and fulfillment in regards to race and gender roles in his book, Privilege, Power & Difference. The advertising world is one of the reasons why women base their role on what they want to be in life and how they are portrayed in society. The commercials like the DiGiorno Pizza and Burger King “It Will Blow Your Mind Away” show how women in society are viewed in an entirely different perspective by the advertising world. Women should not be considered in a passive role, and should possess the ability to go out and take charge of their lives, otherwise society will continue to believe are only good for certain trivial functions. In the DiGiorno commercial, both genders are stereotyped into traditional gender roles as the men are seen relaxing outside while viewing sports and the woman is seen heading in her home with two large grocery bags. The men decide to order a pizza...
Words: 1829 - Pages: 8
...anatomical sex, gender, and sexual desire” (2003: 1). In other words, Queer Theory attempts to illustrate that these things do not always align in predetermined and/or normative ways, and it is perhaps misguided to assume that they should. Corber and Valocchi refer to this notion in their suggestion that Queer Theory focuses on forms of sexuality which fall ‘outside’ of the typical binaries (2003:1). Queer writer Annemarie Jagose states the Queer Theory works to destabilise the belief in ‘natural’ sexuality by exposing the incoherencies that occur within the varying relationships of sex, gender, and sexuality (1996: 3). By having an analytical framework which includes numerous modes of sex/gender/sexuality combinations, such as cross-dressing, sadomasochism, and androgyny, Queer Theory acts in critical relation to the hegemonic social norms through which traditional sexual identities are governed and accepted (Weed and Schor, 1997: vii). Theorist David Halperin (1997) suggests that numerous varying degrees of difference and interpretation exist within any given from of sexuality - for example, there exist both feminine male homosexuals and masculine male homosexuals, and so on. Related to this is one Queer Theory’s central claims, which wishes to state that femininity/masculinity have no necessarily explicit link to biologically sexed females/males. Corber and Valocchi suggest that the belief that this link is anything other than arbitrary serves to legitimate social patriarchy...
Words: 2109 - Pages: 9
