Gender Inequality Essay Example for Free

Gender Inequality EssayFemininity and masculinity atomic number 18 socially constructed pr shapeices that reinforce gender inequality. Among the most popular variations of the social constructionist theories is the gender role theory as an early form of social constructionism (Gergen, 1985). The focus on place and hierarchy reveals inspiration stemming from a Marxist framework, utilized for instance by materialist feminism, and Foucaults writings on discourse.Sex is the biological going aways between male and womanly contradicting with gender which is the culturally and socially constructed differences between female and males based on meanings, beliefs and practices that a group associates with feminity or masculinity. Emerging from the criticism of Objectivity, Social Constructionism challenges concepts of knowledge cat forward by Positivism, which states that the reality and empirically-proved truths ar independent of the mind.For example, Harvard psychologist Steven P inker writes that some categories really ar social constructions they exist only because people tacitly agree to act as if they exist. In fact, there are few scientific studies that currently support a biological basis for substantial differences between the way wo workforce and custody think. Rather, research indicates there is more than variation among wo manpower or men on cognitive, emotional and psychological variables than between the two groups (Fausto-Sterling, 1992). Despite this however, the idea persists that women and men are vastly different in their thinking.Hegemonic femininity, also referred to as emphasized femininity by some theorists, is a concept that was developed in tandem with hegemonic masculinity to acknowledge the asymmetrical position of masculinities and femininities in a patriarchal gender order (Connell Messerschmidt, 2005). This theory purports that males possess physical strength, the ability to use interpersonal delirium in the face of conflict , and authority magical spell females are physically vulnerable, unable to use violence effectively, and compliant (Schippers, 2007).In order for men to maintain favourable position and social dominance over women, the constructs of masculinity then must remain unavailable to women. To achieve this, any feminine characteristic that does not fall in line with hegemonic femininity then must be defined as deviant and stigmatized (Schippers, 200). Women themselves digest been made to submit to this stump hence leaving men to make decisions for them. Sociologists have criticized this as a misconception of meaning of gender to imply sex. Gender s not a personal trait it is an emergent get of social situations two as an outcome of and a rationale for various social arrangements, and as a means of legitimating one of the most fundamental divisions of society. (West Zimmerman, 1977). The fancy of womanhood or femininity is accomplished through an alert process of creating gender th rough interacting with others in a particular social context. The perception of sexual practice by others is an extension of others perceptions of ones gender.Gender is never fully acquired it has to be constantly performed and reenacted in social interactions hence gender is an accomplishment, (Alsop, Fitzsimmons Lennon, 2002). It is frequently difficult to sort out how much of a measured difference between the sexes can be attributed to ones biological composition and how much of the difference may be attributed to learned behavior. How do we know if the behavior is truly sex-based? In other words, is there something on the X or Y chromosome that predisposes men and women to be better in doing certain activities ?Or, could it be that people tend to be better at things they have practiced more and for which theyve received constructive reinforcement over the years? If there are no proves of chromosomal relationships or any biological connections between feminity or masculinity and activities performed. Fathers of evolution studies same(p) Charles Dawin proved that the act of being able to perform certain activities is based on learned practice and not man or woman distinction. This stereotype has greatly led to gender disparity and the world is trying to fight the monster created by our fore fathers misconceptions.National news accounts of hazing and important evidence headspring toward gender differences in hazing activities. In general, a common conclusion drawn is that hazing among men is more likely to be violent in nature and hazing among women is more likely to be psychological in nature. For example, The Courier-Journal of Louisville, Kentucky (Woolhouse, 2000) quoted Gary Powell, a Maryland attorney who has represented fraternities and sororities charged with hazing as saying females tend to be less physically violent than those involving males. Such perspectives align with and also reinforce predominant understandings of differences between wo men and men. Analyzing the phenomenon of hazing through the lens of gender theory provides some helpful insights on both similarities and differences in hazing behaviors between female and male groups. Gender theory contends that versions of masculinity and femininity are largely learned through a process of socialising rather than essential to ones biological sex, (Jennifer Coates, 1996).Nevertheless, particular versions of femininity and masculinity rise to ascendancy during particular social periods. Bem (1993) points out that even while the predominant versions of masculinity and femininity may shift periodically, they generally operate as two poles of a gender binary where the masculine is positioned as active and the feminine as passive. In other words, that which is culturally defined as masculine oppositionally defines feminine.Active/passive, strong/fragile, aggressive/submissive, independent/dependent, and invincible/vulnerable are further examples of gender binaries that depict masculinity and femininity as polar opposites of a vast gender divide. While this particular construction is rooted in perceptions of ideal womanhood for white women specifically, it is relevant to all women because it remains a powerful and pervasive image or standard against which all women are oft compared. Over the past few decades many writers have documented the differential treatment of boys and girls and the probable implications.Feminist scholars have long paved the way for find outing how girls have been placed at a disadvantage as a consequence of gender stereotyping ( Pipher,1995). Studies in educational settings have documented gender bias, most frequently unintentional teachers who simply give boys more quality attention that is likely to promote cognitive development and substantive learning. According to the Sadkers(1994) research, even though girls and boys are sitting in the same classrooms day after day, on average, boys are receiving a better quality e ducation than the girls.Studies have also documented how children themselves practice of law each others behavior according to stereotypes (Thorne, 1997). For instance, if a young boy plays with a doll in the presence of older boys, it is likely that he will be teased and will quickly learn that having a doll is outside the bounds of acceptable masculine behavior. Sexual objectification is one of the bruise results of the gender fallacy. Most societies have taken women to be sex objects.Issues of rape are more rampant in women women are perceived to be physically and emotionally weak hence being subjected to intimidation by men. I want to be clear here that I do not consider these vulnerabilities to be innate to girls/women or boys/men, but rather a consequence of complex and powerful social forces that contribute to sustaining unequal power relations as a consequence of sexism, racism, homophobia, poverty and other systems of disadvantage that render certain groups of individuals vulnerable in particular ways.Conclusion Theories that imply that gendered behavior is totally or mostly due to social conventions and culture fall into the Nature versus nurture debate. Much empirical research has been done on to what extent gendered behavior stems from biological factorsAttending to the cultural construction of gender, homophobia, and the influences of race and social class is key to promoting more complex understandings and developing effective solutions to the problem of gender disparity.Interventions in all arenas lead to take gender theory into account in order to design educational and policy initiatives that will work, (Jeremy Earp 2001). Making masculinity visible is the first measure to understanding how it operates in the culture and how definitions of manhood have been linked, often unconsciously, with dominance and control.