Gender Definition Essay Research Paper When studying

Gender Definition Essay, Research Paper

When studying "gender," the first task is to clearly define what it is

not. Gender simply can not be defined by one’s anatomy. In other words, gender

is not categorized as male or female. Stating this fact is of the utmost

importance, because most people would define gender in such a way. In fact, some

dictionaries actually define gender as "See sex." So now that I have

withdrawn that determinant, I must conclude that gender is something which is

determined socially. Unfortunately, the concept is far too broad to have one

clear definition. It can be studied in so many different ways, and it is because

of this that there are a multitude of theories about it. Learning about

differing theories stimulates one’s own beliefs about gender and its usefulness.

Every sociology litterateur is aware of the socialization theory. Socialization

and the study of gender are often linked. In terms of gender, the socialization

theory suggests that children are taught to behave a certain way according to

their sex. Boys are taught to be masculine and girls to be feminine. For

example, parents will often buy boys trucks or army toys and for girls, they

will buy dolls and playhouse sort-of toys. Boys are played with in a rough

manner and are taught to "tough it out" when they get hurt. Girls are

taught to be more passive and expressive of their feelings. Also, children learn

by observing their parents and the roles that they play. Girls love pretending

to be the "mommy." Chores are also divided. Those chores that are more

"masculine" are for the boys such as taking out the trash and raking

leaves. Girls help in the kitchen and with cleaning. The socialization theory is

accepted by many, but it does not account for everything. This theory is

limiting in that it doesnot allow one to study gender in a macro sense. This

theory cannot explain why or how gender came about. It also doesn’t provide an

answer for how gender inequality began or how it can be minimized. Many

theorists take the socialization theory and expand on it. One of the most unique

theories on gender comes from Judith Lorber, a professor of sociology. Lorber’s

book, "Paradoxes of Gender," introduces her idea of gender being a

social institution. Lorber views gender inequality from this perspective. It is

difficult to explain all aspects of Lorber’s theory without sounding repetitive,

because so much is interrelated. She critiques all of the popular beliefs about

gender. Gender is not the assumptions or beliefs about males and females; it is

not the roles that males and females play; it is not male and female status; it

is certainly not anatomy, and it is not strictly socialization. "Gender is

a social structure that has its origins in the development of human culture, not

in biology or procreation. ┘ As is true of other institutions, gender’s

history can be traced, its structure examined, and its changing effects

researched." (Lorber, p.1) LLorber does not view gender at the individual

level, but rather as a social construction that establishes norms for

individuals which are built into the major societal organizations. The

development of gender inequality is the main focus of Lorber’s discussion of

gender. According to Lorber, roles are gendered. Either sex can participate in

opposite gendered roles. The problem is that males are expected to be masculine

and women to be feminine. Those jobs that are more feminine have lower statuses,

thus lower pay. So we now begin to see where inequality comes into play. An

interesting point that Lorber makes about this is that women are to blame for

this as well as men. When a woman chooses to go into a female-dominated field,

she is perpetuating inequality by contributing to masculinism. However, when a

female works in a male-dominated field, she must become a social man. For

example, in the work force, CEOs are supposed to possess masculine traits. A

female CEO must be aggressive, dominant, and non-sympathetic. So when females

become social men, they are looked down upon. Most of these women are thought to

be too aggressive and unappealing. They have failed at being a

"woman." The same goes for men in female-dominated jobs, although for

men, there isn’t much of a problem simply because there aren’t very many men who

take feminine jobs due to their lower statuses. Naturally, female-dominated jobs

are seen as feminine. If a man were to take a female-dominated job, he would be

expected to act as a social woman. The fact that a person must behave according

to the gender of his/her job demonstrates the idea of gender being

institutionalized. The process is known as gender differentiation. So why don’t

more women get into male-dominated jobs. Lorber explains that women aren’t

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