Social Construction Theory And Gender Roles - 1179 Words

â€Å"Social construction theory, in contrast, argues that gender roles, behaviours, and differences are not the natural consequence of minor biological differences, but are instead the result of historical, economic, and cultural forces which have pushed women into social and economic roles and men into others. It sees biology as providing the raw materials, and sees social institutions, culture, history and individual agency as what shape those raw materials into human beings who also happen to be gendered as men, women, and other genders† ( Klement 3). In this day and age gender and sexuality are very sensitive topics. Gender differences and inequalities has been a thing that has been engraved in our minds since the dawn of time. In Nelly†¦show more content†¦When we do this, we take a difference and make it into inequality. It is as if we are telling people in society that if they are different from their neighbour than they are not valued as much as them. The third consequence is that the positive side is considered the ‘norm’-whatever that means- and the negative side is considered the ‘unnatural’. When you look at the word ‘human’ or ‘mankind’ the one word that relates them is man. This just goes to show that in our lives ‘man’ is viewed as the ‘norm’. Women’s sexuality has been defined based on masculine limits. (Klement 3) The fourth consequence is that the binary is a false contradiction. It erases all the grey areas we have in society. â€Å"It erases the existence of transgender, non-binary, 11 agender, bigender and genderqueer people who do not identify according to the strict binary of man-woman. It erase s the experiences of biracial and bicultural individuals. It leads to oppositional sexism.† (Klement 3) For many people, the gender they were assigned at birth, more or less ‘fits’ but for others they do not feel that way. They feel as if their minds and body do not coincide. And finally, the fifth consequence is that the binary is reductionist. It denies our humanity. The things that make us human is ability to express ourselves, to love and care for others, to make things and invent tools, etc. Biology is destiny. But reducing humans to our biology is reducing us to the stereotypes of the active competitive sperm andShow 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 MoreGenetic Theory, Social Role Theory And Social Construction Theory1188 Words   |  5 PagesA popular topic by social psychologists, but very different in nature, is the way that men and women differ in terms of mate selection. In a study done by Manning, Longmore, and Giordano (2007), 76% of seventh, ninth, and eleventh graders said that they would probably or definitely get married in the span of their lifetime. Furthermore, men and women prove that the stereotypes that are given to genders are, for the most part, true; men typically desire physical attractiveness and women typicallyRead MoreHow Queens I Want to Break Free Video Explores Queerness in Relation to Queer Theory1544 Words   |  7 Pagestheir own sense of identity, that being nationality, race, class, ethnicity, gender or sexuality. In this case, Queen uses music to illustrate the themes of gender and sexuality through their music video I Want to Break Free (1983). 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Sexism has always had negative consequences for women. It has caused some women to avoid pursuing successful careers typically described as â€Å"masculine†Ã¢â‚¬â€perhaps to avoid the social impression that they are less desirable as spousesRead MoreDistinction Between Sex And Gender1740 Words   |  7 Pages distinction between sex and gender be defined? In discussing whether the distinction between sex and gender can be defined I am going to use the early distinction between the two and how this has been socially constructed to identify if there is a distinction. Additionally, I am going to use a variety of feminist influences since the 1960’s, to draw upon the main issues when defining sex and gender. I will investigate the implications of defining sex and gender by looking at sexism. I hope thisRead MoreDebating Sex and Gender and After Identity1486 Words   |  6 PagesName: Professor: Course: Date: In Debating Sex and Gender and After Identity, Dr. Warnke presents various arguments that demonstrate how sex, gender, and race are all social constructs. Do you agree or disagree with her argument, and why? Concepts of sex, gender and race in English language have undergone uncountable naturalization and universalities, to a point that they are now considered to have always been present. There are numerous arguments that revolve around the three conceptsRead MoreEssay about Women and Men Are Made, Not Born987 Words   |  4 Pagesa woman over time, by means of complex social processes. Beauvoir’s statement suggests that gender roles and behaviour are not inherent and that social positioning should not be determined by sex. 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