Midterm

Sex and gender are two terms that in society are commonly used as interchangeable words with in society. However, so far in this women’s studies class the differences between the two were made clear. Gender can be defined as “the way society organizes understandings of sexual differences.” (pg 1) The text also states that gender involves the way that society creates, patterns, and rewards our understanding of femininity and masculinity. Sex deals with more the biological factors, male or female.
Gender is one of the factors that shape’s a person’s identity. Gender is not static and is a constantly changing idea. Interactions within society help shape each individuals idea of gender. There is no correct interpretation of what gender is it is open to each individual’s ideas.
One of the major things that the idea of gender odes in society is provides ideas of norms that each person should adhere to. These societal norms are not necessarily correct, they are just social standards. These norms dictate how boys act and how girls act. The ideas of typically began to be defined at a young age. One example that the text uses is the idea of the tomboy and sissies. It is acceptable for girls to be considered tomboys but boys can not be considered sissies. Certain actions are considered acceptable for males and females. These ideas mold behaviors.
To many people gender is a concept that is commonly confused. Three frameworks that help gender be understood are social construction, Kate Bornstein idea of the gender pyramid and Anne Fausto-Sterling’s idea that two genders are not enough.
First is the idea of social construction. Judith Lorber states the first step in gender construction is labeling depending on the genitalia that you are given at birth. Babies are then typically dressed accordingly. As you get older you are then treated differently depending on your gender. During your teenage years you know what is expected from you because of you gender and you began to fill those roles. Gender also constructs ideas of what certain role are supposed to entail. Mothers and fathers have two totally different parenting roles. When this “norm” is broken people are looked at differently. For instance in today’s society it is very odd for a man to be the “stay home dad” but it is completely acceptable for the women to stay home while the man goes out into the work force. Gender creates norms that member within society function by and these norms are learned at a young age.
The second framework that makes sense of gender is Kate Bornstein idea of a gender pyramid. Bornstein says that in society we need to separate gender and sex. She says that you do not have to identify as either male or female but you can be a mixture of both. She puts the ideas of gender into a pyramid like structure. The majority of people should be able to fit into one of these categories.
Another similar framework is that of Anne Fausto-Sterling, and the idea that two genders are not enough to classify every individual. One of her major points in that some people do not have a correct “sex”. Biologically they do not fit into either category of male of female. Her question is then were do they go? This is the basic idea for why there should be more than two genders.
One other are that gender plays an important role is in science and technology. Gender from the beginning has been shaped by science and technology. From the beginnings of science gender was present. As Nelly Oudshoor points out in her article in the beginning stages of anatomy there was a one sex model. Later on the female was thought of as simply the lack of male genitals. Today every part of the human body (except the eyes) can be identified as either male or female.
In comparison certain ideas about gender also shape science and technology. For example today on the internet people have the freedom to not have to identify with a specific gender and they can also have to ability to become the opposite gender.
Today technology and science are two very important aspects in our society. Women’s studies scholars see the importance of distinguishing the roles of gender in these areas to help better define them.
Gender is a concept that will always be evident within society. However as stated earlier it is one that can be changed over time. As the idea of gender changes certain thing will become more socially acceptable. Making certain aspects more socially acceptable will further help lead to equality among the genders and less definition of roles based on being male or female.