Gender Identity and Social Construction - 868 Words

Gender Identity and Social Construction Gender identity is a highly controversial subject. The notion that ones gender is a significant determination of personality traits, behavioral characteristics, social tendencies, romantic engagements and self-perception is a critical one. However, it is also subject to debate because of the imperatives created by the social construct of gender. This often clashes with what are, in reality, more nuanced and individualized connections to gender. This is particularly highlighted by the interview which has informed the research here. Specifically, the interview subject is a male of the homosexual orientation who would endure difficulty as a child fully understanding the meaning of his gender identity. As the discussion shows here, this is a common emotional disorder for individuals contending with some sexual confusion but should also not be conflated with homosexuality itself. According to Pheil Pheil (2005), gender identity disorders are those which stem not from the sociological pressures of conforming to certain gender traits but, instead from an internal sense or incorrect gender assignment. As Pheil Pheil indicate, this cross-gender identification must not merely be a desire for any perceived cultural advantages of being the other sex. There must also be evidence of persistent discomfort about ones assigned sex or a sense of inappropriateness in the gender role of that sex (Pheil Pheil. 1) Our interview subject wouldShow MoreRelatedSocial Construction Theory : The Product Of Society And History851 Words   |  4 PagesFall Term Essay 1 Social construction theory explains human behaviour and identities as the product of society and history (Vance 29). This theory is the opposite of biological determinism and essentialism which suggest that genetic, physiological, and biological traits determine human behaviour (Vance 29). As mentioned in lecture (Klement), identities are unique to every person; they are the values, norms, values, and images in society that are combined, constructed, or created. Societal pressuresRead MoreA Metaphor For The Closet Is Wearing A Mask Essay1493 Words   |  6 Pagesconceals true identity, hides feelings and expressions to others and sometimes self. The mask is worn with the intent of fostering acceptance and approval. The mask can be worn for performance, to be something you are not, or for protection. To unmask is to make a decision to be real, to accept self and risk personal security. The mask of normative sex and gender identity conceals the true person to the world, to unmask is to make a decision to reveal chosen sexual and gender identity to self and othersRead MoreGender Identity As An Axis Of Social Order1611 Words   |  7 PagesGender is considered an axis of social order. Its categorisation into masculinity and femininity is social constructed and maintained in everyday life (Clark and Page, 2005; Mackie, 1994). Gender identity is our innermost understanding of our self as ‘male’ or ‘female’. Most people develop a gender identity that matched their biological sex (their body). Gender identity can be affected by, and is different from one society to another, depending on the way the members of society evaluate the roleRead MoreThe Body, Gender, And Sexuality964 Words   |  4 PagesAllise Sellers Unit 2 Reading Response The body, gender, and sexuality are intertwined concepts that have been simplified to a point that attempts to explain each of these characteristic constructs purely through biology. However, ignoring the social implications in various cultures takes away from the complex analysis these foundational human descriptors actually deserve. In the writings of R.W. Connell, Suzanne Kessler, S.E. Smith, Lisa Wade, Riki Wilchins, and Patricia Hill Collins, these authorsRead MoreThe Topic Of Sexuality1144 Words   |  5 Pagestopic of sexuality (para)- Horrocks (1997) points out in his book that sexuality encircles multiple aspects of human existence. Sexuality is then, not a uniform or simple phenomenon and is influenced by the interaction of psychological, biological, social, cultural factors and many more. Horrocks (1997), suggests that to try and understand or explain a definitive conclusion about sexuality seems impossible as sexuality has different meanings to so many groups of people. Introduce the perspectivesRead MoreIn â€Å"Two Boys Kissing, † David Levithan Shares The Stories1228 Words   |  5 Pagesteenagers who are all gay, and the experiences they have while coming to terms with it. Even though three of the main characters have different stories and are at different stages their everyday experiences are influenced by gender as a process, the social construction of gender, and oppression. These three concepts shape and influence the stories shared in this book, but the main theme stands true and that is to be proud of who you are as a person and an individual no matter who that may be. RyanRead MoreIdentity and Gender1627 Words   |  7 PagesThe word identity has become the most discussed idea in our society. It is described mostly, to be a word that stands for who we are. Therefore, because of who we are, identity has come to be a word that we use to claim and understand people’s actions in our society. So in this paper I will be analysing how social practices surrounding identity relates to gender in social, personal levels, through the work of three authors; by Ian Hacking on â€Å"kind making†, Margaret Somers on â€Å"Narrative constructionRead MoreAnalysis Of Alison Lester s 2009-2010 Book Series1312 Words   |  6 PagesLester’s 2007-2008 book series, Bonnie and Sam, it is the aim to investigate if representations continue to construct and naturalise ‘traditionally acceptable models of gender’ in contemporary Australian children’s literature. Research background: Since the 1970s, there has been a significant increasing in academic interest surrounding gender in children’s literature. Peter Hunt (2009) argues literature has gained academic focus as society comes to recognise how it can shape it â€Å"in fundamental and long-lastingRead MoreCritique. This Critique Seeks To Provide Contextualisation1355 Words   |  6 Pagesto provide contextualisation for investigations into gendered representations in children’s literature, and the mechanisms that underpin their construction and reproduction. The key aim is to explore possible shifts within gender representation in children’s literature. Hamilton et al. (2006) argue that although there have been changes, over time, to gender representations, improvements have been mitigated by both the underrepresentation of female characters and a continued tendency to cast girlsRead More‚Äà ºGender‚Äà ¹ and the Importance of ‚Äà ºthe Social Constructio n of Gender.‚Äà ¹835 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"Gender† and the Importance of â€Å"The Social Construction of Gender.† Gender is an individual s natural sense of themselves existing as a male or female, which may hold opposing views from their biological sex. I believe sex and gender are two terms used interchangeably. Sex implies the biological characteristics among females and males. Whereas gender implies the social qualities connected with being a female or male. As Lorber states, â€Å"I am arguing that bodies differ physiologically, but they