9.6: Gender

In the mid-1900s anthropologist Margaret Mead observed gender in three tribes uninfluenced by Westernized culture and tradition: Arapesh, Mundugamor, and Tchambuli. Her observations of gender behaviors in these tribes created a national discussion which lead many to reconsider the traditional and established sex=gender assumption. In these tribes she found the following:

• Arapesh: both men and women displayed what we typically call the feminine traits of sensitivity, cooperation, and low levels of aggression.
• Mundugamor: both men and women were insensitive, uncooperative, and very aggressive. These were typical masculine traits at the time.
• Tchambuli: women were aggressive, rational, and capable and were also socially dominant. Men were passive, assuming artistic and leisure roles.

In her observations, gender definitions were varied and unique among peoples less influenced by Westernized cultures. She reached the conclusion that tradition (culture) was the stronger social force over biology in determining one’s gendered behavioral output, as well as their interpretations and valuing of gender. Mead’s work and her public influence helped to establish the belief that biology is only a part of the sex and gender question. Therefore, Mead established that \(\text { sex} \neq \text {gender}\). She discovered gender and social constructs of gender were really very plastic. Not too shabby for a woman in the mid-1900s who began her research merely trying to explore and question traditional gender roles!