Application Paper 1: Using Sociological Concepts To Understa ✓ Solved

Application paper 1: Using sociological concepts to understand our lives

Using the variety of concepts learned from weeks 1-7, reflect on the role gender identity has played in your upbringing; in shaping your personal habits, preferences, and choices; and in your professional outcomes and experiences (e.g., in college or in the workplace). For each concept, explain what it is and how it has influenced your life, providing supporting examples. Begin with an introduction that clearly states how gender has impacted your life, followed by a body discussing specific concepts and their applications, and conclude with a reflection on future plans and how gender may influence your upcoming decisions and experiences.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Gender identity is a fundamental aspect of human social life, shaping individual behaviors, perceptions, and opportunities from an early age. My own upbringing was deeply influenced by gendered expectations and norms, which molded my personal habits, preferences, and choices, as well as my professional trajectories. Through the lens of various sociological concepts, I can trace how gender has played a significant role in my life, sometimes constraining and other times empowering me.

Socialization and Doing Gender

Socialization refers to the process through which individuals learn and internalize the norms, values, behaviors, and roles associated with their society's expectations. From childhood, I was socialized into prescribed gender roles by family, school, and media. For instance, my parents emphasized traditional gender roles, encouraging me to adopt behaviors deemed appropriate for girls, such as nurturing, appearance, and obedience. This early socialization influenced my personal habits—prioritizing appearance and politeness—and decisions, such as choosing activities aligned with societal expectations.

Doing gender involves performing behaviors that align with socially constructed gender norms. As I navigated different social settings, I consciously or subconsciously performed gender through mannerisms, speech, and interaction styles. In college, I noticed I tended to accentuate femininity through my attire and communication, which was reaffirmed by peer interactions and societal expectations. These performances reinforced societal norms but also limited certain expressions that did not conform to conventional gender codes.

Hegemonic Masculinity and Emphasized Femininity

Hegemonic masculinity refers to the dominant form of masculinity that is culturally exalted and often linked to power, dominance, and heterosexuality. Although I am female, I observed how hegemonic masculinity influenced my environment, especially in academic and professional settings. For example, male colleagues often exhibited traits associated with hegemonic masculinity—assertiveness, competitiveness—and received certain privileges or respect. Conversely, I learned that emphasized femininity—compliant and nurturing behavior—was often expected of women to gain social acceptance, which impacted my interactions and self-presentation.

Gender Hierarchies and Patriarchal Bargains

The concept of gender hierarchy reflects the structured ranking of genders, privileging males over females. Growing up, I experienced this hierarchy both implicitly and explicitly. Opportunities in education and leadership were often more accessible to males, which influenced my career aspirations. Patriarchal bargains involve women strategically accepting subordinate roles or behaviors to avoid conflict or gain certain privileges. As I entered the workforce, I found myself negotiating these bargains by conforming to gendered expectations while seeking to advance professionally, often balancing traditional femininity with assertiveness.

Gender Policing and Toxic Masculinity

Gender policing involves social sanctions for deviations from gender norms. I witnessed this in peer interactions, where non-conforming behaviors, such as expressing vulnerability or interest in traditionally masculine activities, were sometimes met with ridicule. This influenced me to conform to mainstream expectations, suppressing certain aspects of my identity to avoid social repercussions. Similarly, toxic masculinity—traits like aggression and emotional suppression—permeated environments I was part of, shaping both my perceptions and reactions to gendered behaviors.

Transgender and Gender Fluidity

While I identify as cisgender, awareness of transgender and gender fluidity concepts broadened my understanding of diverse gender identities. Recognizing that gender is not strictly binary challenged me to reconsider rigid normative frameworks. It also made me more accepting of my own non-conforming moments and more empathetic toward others whose gender identities do not align with societal expectations.

Gender and Personal Choices

In my personal life, gendered social expectations influenced relationship choices and self-expression. For example, I noticed that conforming to feminine norms made social interactions smoother but also limited authentic self-expression. Professionally, I navigated environments where assertiveness was valued—yet I found balancing assertiveness with femininity crucial for success, illustrating the compensatory masculinity strategy often adopted by women to gain respect in male-dominated fields.

Future Considerations and Resistance

Looking ahead, I anticipate that gender will continue to influence my choices, especially as I consider graduate studies and career advancement. I plan to challenge restrictive gender norms by advocating for gender equity, embracing diverse expressions, and fostering inclusive environments. Understanding sociological concepts like hybrid masculinities and feminist resistance equips me to resist stereotypes and push for societal change, ensuring future opportunities are not limited by gendered expectations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, gender has been a pervasive force shaping my upbringing, habits, and professional life. While socialization and performing gender roles have provided certain advantages, they have also imposed restrictions that I aim to overcome. Moving forward, I aspire to live authentically, challenge stereotypes, and contribute to a more equitable society where gender no longer constrains individual potential.

References

• Acker, J. (1990). Hierarchies, jobs, bodies: A theory of gendered organizations. Gender & Society, 4(2), 139-158.
• Connell, R. W. (2005). Masculinities (2nd ed.). University of California Press.
• Judith Butler. (1990). Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity. Routledge.
• Lorber, J. (1994). Paradoxes of gender. Yale University Press.
• McIntosh, P. (1988). White privilege and male privilege: A personal account of coming to see correspondences in my life and society. Wellesley College Center for Research on Women.
• West, C., & Zimmerman, D. H. (1987). Doing gender. Gender & Society, 1(2), 125-151.
• Connell, R. W., & Messerschmidt, J. W. (2005). Hegemonic masculinity: Rethinking the concept. Gender & Society, 19(6), 829-859.
• Schilt, K., & Westbrook, L. (2009). Doing gender, doing heteronormativity: ‘Gender normals,’ transgender people, and the social maintenance of heterosexuality. Gender & Society, 23(4), 440-464.
• Butler, J. (2004). Undoing Gender. Routledge.
• Pascoe, C. J. (2007). Dudes: Masculinity and Peer Culture among Adolescents. University of California Press.