Thai 1 Bille Thai Professor Ditch English 1134, MAW 12306448 22 September 2015 x Views from the Society ‘Men and women who perform differently fom their own genders are judged upon and fy wits tha cuca of socket; fh weadon I the nocial condtroction of gender a winter ge society, children are introduced to certain roles that are usually linked to their biological sex “while they are growing up. For instance, one might expect alittle boy to play with toys such as tools and action figures while girls are expected to play with dolls and cooking accessories. ‘These “roles” that are created from society, separates both males and females to the extent where they have to be different from one another and eannot act outside of their own gender norms. In the articles, “Night to His Day” by Judith Lorber and “Becoming Members of Society” by Aaron Devor, the authors explain how society is built to place individuals into certain roles where one should act and behave accordingly to their own respective gender. Gender roles are influenced (|) throughout many sources ina child’s early years of growing up, and it all starts with parenting and the media. Both Lorber and Devor share similar ideas and arguments on how society is, shaped, and how society itself limits certain genders/sex (males and females) with specific roles ? gdh Te UONY ML / and behavior, such as masculinity and fem Gender and sex can be viewed to be similar in today's society, but in reality, they are not because one can identify themselves as the opposite gender from what their actual sex are. AS Lorber explains how sex and gender are not similar, she mentions that “a sex category becomes a gender status through naming, dress, and the use of other gender markers” (Lorber 20). The‘Thai 2 author shows that through all the characteristics that define a gender, itis uncommon for a specific sex to perform differently than their actual gender. Although many might think that gender and sex are similar, Lorber also indicates that as soon asa child “can talk, they start to refer to themselves as members of their gender... [and] sex doesn’t come into play again until puberty” (Lorber 20). The author clarifies how most children follow gender norms as they grow ‘up without noticing the actual differences between both sexes’ until they are older. Even though sex and gender are not similar, one can distinguish the differences between genders through characteristics. ‘Although it might seem that certain genders are similar, society views genders to be completely different from each other. Lorber clarifies how if men and women have the same responsibilities, “they are usually spatially segregated to maintain gender separation” (Lorber 26). Now why is gender supposed to be separated from one another? The way society structures its genders is men being on the top of the ladder and women being below due tothe qualities and traits society places on these genders. An example thatthe author shows is that similar tasks that both men and women do “are given different job titles, such as exccutjve secretary and administrative assistant” (Lorber 26). Because of social Seas fas el Soni perceived to be different from each other no matter what they are doing, even if they are undertaking the same responsibilities. Gender roles in today’s modem society has been gradually shifting into becoming more ‘acceptant towards individuals who act outside of their own gender norms. As Lorber explains ‘how gender roles have been changing throughout society, “today’s fathers are taking care of little children [and] girls and boy are wearing unisex clothing” (Lorber 21). Viewing these gender role Gender canbe defined through many characteristics that are given of from each //// individual, but through gender roles, masculinity and femininity is what mainly defines gender. ‘Through gender identity in society, one who performs with masculinity characteristics are used to identify a male, as for femininity characteristics, they are used to define a female. Devor / explains how “masculinity [is] usually characterized by dominance and aggression, and femininity by passivity and submission” (Devor 39). The author indicates that both atibutes (masculinity and femininity) that are used to define both genders have the opposite traits from one another. In addition, Devor differentiates between masculinity and femininity through traits that are used to define both males and females. For example, Devor mentions that ones that “appear to be feminine usually “keep their arms closer to their bodies [and] their legs closer together”, while ones that appear to be masculine usually “hold their arms and hands in positions away from their bodies, and who stand sit, or lie wth their legs apart” (Devor 41-42). Devor clearly states that females are more protective over their bodies while males have more freedom with their own bodies. One can easily distinguish the differences between masculinity and femininity through the traits that are given off from each gender. In a child’s early years of growing up, gender is slowly developing as parent’s influence them follow what their gender identity is. As Devor explains how children start to develop aThai 4 sense of what gender is, he states that “children begin to settle into a gender identity between the ages of eighteen months and two years” (Devor 35). He also mentions how “by the age of wiwo, children usually understand that they are members of a gender grouping and can correctly identify other members of their gender” (Devor 35). Through childhood, the people that surrounds the child are the ones that are influencing them into their respective gender identity, which are the parents. As a child grows older, they start to notice what gender group they belong to and how they are supposed perform specifically to their gender Another influential material that surrounds a child’s gender is the media, The media is a ‘powerful tool that communicates to all individuals throughout the world. Children as of today spend their time watching television and not even notice the gender identity that are shown. For example, advertisements that are trying to sell action figures usually have alittle boy playing withthe toy and not a girl. Same for girls, with cooking accessories and doll advertisement, they az only paying that he toys ae mean! for gis only. Gender sinned ins many was, but te mai ine th scl const pendency. 7/17 A14 Inall honesty, I myself, have experienced a small part of not following gender norms, Looking back from today, a trait that I have possessed that was slightly feminine was being very sensitive, Me being a delicate child, my feelings were easily hurt and was seen as a “cry baby” around the house. Although crying a lot is a common trait that every child possesses, growing up and being called a “little gir!” by my brother and occasionally my father, effected the way I grew ‘up as a child. I soon then understood that both my father and brother wanted me to grow up as a tough-hearted boy that his feelings would not be easily hurt from what others would say. 1 ‘eventually grew out of being sensitive because I knew that someday I would have to grow up and start acting more masculine.Thai $ Lorber and Devor argues and explains how society expects both males and females to perform to their appropriate gender through gender identity, roles, and behavior. Due to media ‘nd parenting, a child develops an understanding of what their own gender identity is and what ‘gender group they belong to. Because of social construction of gender, individuals that feel different from their own gender, cannot truly express their true selves because society would view them as the outcasts. That is why modern day society should be more open towards individuals that feel the need perform differently than what they are originally bom into. ort‘Thai 6 Works Cited Devor, Aaron, "Becoming Members of Society" By Rachel Groner and John F. O'Hara. Rpt of "The Social Meanings of Gender.” Composing Gender: A Bedford Spotlight Reader. St. Martin's: Bedford, 2013, Lorber, Judith, “"Night to His Day" By Rachel Groner and John F. O'Hara, Rpt. of "The Social Construction of Gender.” Composing Gender: A Bedford Spotlight Reader. St. Martin's Bedford, 2013.