SOCIO: Social Construction of Gender

Question 1

Define biological sex

Answer 1

the sex of an individual being determined on the basis of biological differences (e.g. external genitalia)

Question 2

Define gender *

Answer 2

• used to distinguish between the biological fact of ‘sex’ and the social and cultural characteristics associated with being male or female
• the difference between biological sex and gender is complicated by individuals that:
• are not easily categorised by their ext. biological genitalia
• and by those who feel their anatomical body is out of line with their subjective sense of being male or female

gender is an aspect of all social situations and is itself a social construct that has changed over time

Question 3

How is gender identity imposed and reinforced? *

Answer 3

• reinforced from birth - naming, clothing, other gender markers e.g. blue things for boys
• once a child’s gender is socially ascribed, they are treated differently to children ascribed to other gender
• child responds to this imposition by feeling and behaving differently e.g. in the way they refer to themself
• parenting is gendered - different expectations for mum + dad
• some work roles traditionally reflect imposed gender differences

→ some people may have to suppress similarities/exaggerate differences to fit these exclusive identities
→ long term health effects arise from this e.g. boys are told they are more active than girls, so they are (self-fulfilling prophecy)

Question 4

What is transcendence? (+ example) *

Answer 4

transcendence is the ways in which socially constructed gender identities can result in a negation or distortion of biology

• society’s ideas of gender identity can lead people to supress bodily similarities or exaggerate bodily differences
• e.g. culturally, girls are told they are physically weaker than boys, even though during early development they might actually be stronger/taller
• so girls are not encouraged to do as much strenuous exercise as boys (so exaggeration of normal biology)
• which has a long term effect on the health of both groups

so social constructions of ‘masculinity’ + ‘femininity’ becomes a self fulfilling prophecy
- small differences between the 2 become absolute differences as a result
- e.g. the physique of women and men change over time to support the validity of these gendered images and practices

Question 5

Describe the gendering of physical activity (PA) *

Answer 5

girls aged 3-11 experienced less enjoyment from PA + less confident than boys their age
- due to an exposure to narrow gender norms around boys vs girls activities + a failure to adapt the sports
- which in turn shapes adult PA habits
- produces life long effects → women have a longer life expectancy but higher morbidity (chronic illness)

Question 6

Describe the gendering of coronary heart disease *

Answer 6

study looked at whether masculinity is detrimental to men’s health → higher ‘femininity’ scores in men had a lower risk of CHD death
- conclusion of study: social constructions of gender influence the risk of ill health, therefore, the social construction of gender plays a role in health

Question 7

example SBA

Explain what is meant by the social construction of gender (and give examples?)