10: Understanding Gender

Reading 1: Understanding Gender

Understanding the concept of gender can be quite confusing. After all, aren’t there just boy humans and girl humans? Unfortunately, the concept of gender is grossly misunderstood by most, which gives rise to discrimination; unrealistic demands imposed by stereotypes; and a loss of self for those who even slightly deviate from society’s “norm.” In this reading, you will learn about the three dimensions of gender: body, identity and expression. You will explore the differences between sex and gender. You will also gain insight into how rigid gender ideals can cloud a young person’s understanding of sexual orientation.

“When we confuse gender with sexual orientation, we are likely to make assumptions about a young person that have nothing to do with who they are. For example, when someone’s gender expression is inconsistent with others’ expectations, they are frequently assumed to be homosexual. The boy who loves to play princess is assumed to be gay, and the adolescent girl who buys clothes in the “boys” section and favors a short haircut may be assumed to be a lesbian. These are faulty conclusions. What someone wears is about gender expression; you cannot tell what their sexual orientation is by what they have on (for that matter, you can’t know what their gender identity is, either … unless they tell you).”

Key Terms: Dimensions of Gender (body, identity, expression), gender expression, agender, non-binary, cisgender, transgender, sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex

Reading 2: Kohlberg’s Theory of Gender Role Development

Kohlberg theorized that understanding gender differences is a developmental process. Kohlberg contends that young children recognize what appear to be gender-specific differences, but still believe that gender is not stable. Young children, according to Kohlberg, believe that if you change your clothes or cut your hair, then you can change your gender. As children mature, they come to an understanding that gender does not change as the result of a change in appearance, and this emergence of gender constancy begins to pave the way to a pronounced gender identity. If you are a girl, you will always be a girl. If you are a boy, you will always be a boy. This theory aids in our understanding of how children may come to conclusions about their own gender identity.

Key Terms: Gender Identity, Gender Stability, Gender Constancy

Key Scholar: Kohlberg

Reading 3: What Is Gender Socialization and Why Does It Matter?

Adolescence is that developmental period where Erikson asserts we ask “Who am I?” It is crucial time when we are exploring our vocational interests, our social interests, and our sexual interests. We are looking at the world through our lenses that have been colored by society for years. We evaluate our role in society based on our clouded perception and the messages that we have mindlessly introjected. If I am a girl, society tells me that I must be kind and loving; aspire to be a good wife and mother; love the color pink; and keep any and all bossy impulses suppressed. If I am a boy, first and foremost, society tells me that I must NEVER be like a girl; I must be strong and confident; I must care for my family at all costs; I must be assertive and if necessary, aggressive; and I must never reveal feelings of weakness. In this reading, you will explore the steep costs paid by stereotype-based socialization from a global perspective. If we can only see ourselves through the veil of norms, can we really see ourselves?

Reading 4: Is Gender Simply a Social Construct or a Biologically-Fueled Reality?

In this reading, you will read about the case study of David Reimer, born as a male, raised as a girl. When David was an infant his penis was burned off during a routine circumcision. The parents were overwhelmed with concern, as David would grow up without a penis. The parents happened upon the work of Dr. John Money, the doctor who coined the term gender role. Dr. John Money was a famous sexologist delving into the unchartered waters of gender identity, who provided the Reimers with hope. Money believed that gender was exclusively the product of nurture, thus convincing the Reimer’s to rear David as a girl. The Reimers renamed their son Brenda, and applied the extensive protocol dictated by society as to what constitutes being female. Money convinced these desperate parents that if Brenda dressed like a girl and played like a girl that she would feel like a girl. Sadly, this gross misunderstanding of the complexities of gender identity on behalf of Dr. Money, led to the ultimate demise of Mr.David Reimer. While tragic, this case study presents the fascinating question: Is gender biological or simply a social construct? This topic is heavily disputed in the academic arena, with some academicians, such as Debra Soh, asserting that biology determines gender. As a neuroscientist, she purports that prenatal exposure to testosterone is the determinant for what will pique a child’s curiosity. If prenatal testosterone levels are high, the child will gravitate towards mechanically interesting objects, such as object with wheels. If the prenatal testosterone levels are low, the child will gravitate towards more socially interesting activities, such as playing with dolls. Lise Elliot, professor of neuroscience at Rosalind Franklin University, contends that biology is important; however, she believes that the plastic nature of our brains allows for us to be molded by society. She does not dismiss the power of biology; rather she acknowledges the strong interaction between biology and society. While we do not know the extent to which society and biology interact, we do know that gender is far more complex than just male and female.

Key Scholars: John Money, Debra Soh, Lise Eliot

Reading 5: How Gender Expectations Shape Early Adolescence Across the World

In this reading, you will read about how gender expectations shape adolescence across the world. The Barbie and Ken stereotypes run across global lines. When vulnerability and sexuality become synonymous with femininity, women will invariably be coddled and objectified. When aggression and power become synonymous with masculinity, men will invariably be feared and vilified.

Key Terms: hegemonic masculinity

Video 1: Pink, Pink…and More Pink!

In this video you will explore the history of gender-specific clothing. This video serves as a fascinating summary of the work of Professor Jo Paoletti. Paoletti is a professor in American studies at the University of Maryland. She published a book entitled, Pink and Blue in 2012 that chronicled the history of how fashion polarized gender. Many assume that females have always worn pink dresses, while males have always worn pants and only blue. Interestingly, unisex fashions were the standard decades ago. Paoletti describes in her book that people believed that prematurely identifying with one’s gender served as the gateway to sexual depravity. Boys and girls both wore smocks, primarily for practicality. It is interesting to entertain the idea that capitalism may have played a key role in establishing modern-day gender norms.

Key Scholar: Jo Paoletti

Reflections:

1. Explain why you feel that we as a culture so often conflate the two concepts of sexuality and gender.
2. Reflect on the major influences from your past that shaped your conceptualizatuion of gender.
3. Is gender-role transcendence a feasible goal for society? Explain.
4. Discuss your thoughts about the new vernacular that helps to elucidate the nuances of gender, such as gender fluid, cisgender, etc.
5. What challenges do men and women face if we continue to allow ourselves to be governed by the dominant stereotypes that restrict personal growth?