Question

As the readings for this week remind us, your sex is determined biologically (even if within a continuum) while gender roles are socially established. So, when we hear someone tell a male “act like a man,” the assumption is that this person has male biological parts and therefore must adopt the male-appropriate gender role. Similarly when a woman is advised to “act like a lady.” Sooo… What does it mean to “act like a man” in our society? And like a “lady?” What if you’re man and don’t “act like a man?” Or a woman that does not act like a lady? How does “society” respond to those who do not fall neatly into the sex=gender role box? Discuss….

Answer 1

Sex of a person is determined by biology while gender is constructed by society. The gender role as a man or a woman differs culturally among different societies, classes, age as per what is considered as feminine or masculine by that culture. It is a kind of organizing principle of society taking care of the process of production, reproduction, consumption, and distribution.For example, according to gender, a boy is not supposed to cry as crying apparently is a weak act so perceived as feminine. In case of a girl, she is not supposed to be strong and aggressive.

In this way, society has constructed stereotypes and when people who do not fit neatly into these parameters are made to suffer. They are made to feel isolated, alone and inadequate.These genders stereotypes are harmful to any society as they inhibit people to fully express themselves and their emotions.