Assignment 3: Gender Identity We Are Socialized At Ev 860555

Assignment 3: Gender Identity We are Socialized At Every Stage In Life

Assignment 3: Gender Identity We are socialized at every stage in life to conform to our gender identity. Societal reinforcement of tendencies of gender identity is relentless. For example, in hospitals, little girls are wrapped in pink and little boys in blue. This difference in colors influences how we learn and how we internalize our role in our society. Girls tend to grow up to play feminine roles and boys tend to grow up to play masculine roles.

This differentiation of gender identity has implications in social stratification. The videos given below will provide you with a better understanding of the differentiation of sexual identity from an earlier generation. Search for and watch an episode of at least one of the following shows. You may find these videos using a variety of search methods including visiting your local library, using Netflix or your local video store, or searching on YouTube. If you have difficulty locating an episode of one of the following shows, contact your instructor for assistance in finding an alternative.

I Love Lucy | All in the Family | The Mickey Mouse Club | The Honeymooners | Leave it to Beaver | Father Knows Best | Gilligan’s Island | The Brady Bunch | I Dream of Jeannie

As you watch the video, ask yourself the following questions: To what extent have things changed and to what extent have they remained the same in regards to gender roles, expectations, division, and identity from the time this show was originally popular and today? How conscious and sensitive are the characters regarding gender prejudice, power inequality, and subordination? Did they take inequality of the sexes for granted?

Based on your readings and understanding that you have gathered after watching the above-noted video, write a short biographical description of your life if you were to wake up tomorrow morning in the time period of the video you watched and find you have a different gender identity.

Write a description of how you lived your life a day after your hypothetical change in gender as you answer the following questions: Discuss how you would react on finding out that your sex is opposite. Would you feel a sense of relief, indifference, or elation? Why? Discuss three ways your attitude towards the opposite sex was enlightened or would change as a result of what you learned from this project. If you would not change your attitude, why?

Write down the ideas and attitudes you have taken for granted as a member of your actual gender. Consider how your roles at home and in the office would change if you were a member of the opposite gender. Relate the ideas of sexism and racism to the videos. How do you think sexism and racism have changed since the 1950s? Use the following file naming convention: LastnameFirstInitial_M1_A3.doc. For example, if your name is John Smith, your document will be named SmithJ_M1_A3.doc. By Wednesday, August 27, 2014, deliver your assignment to the M1: Assignment 3 Dropbox.

Paper For Above instruction

The exploration of gender identity and societal socialization reveals how deeply ingrained gender roles are in cultural and institutional frameworks. From childhood, societal cues such as color coding and gender-specific toys reinforce ideas about what it means to be male or female. These cues influence individual perceptions and internalizations of gender roles, often perpetuating stereotypes and social stratification. Analyzing the portrayal of gender roles in historical television shows allows us to observe the continuity and shifts in societal expectations.

When examining episodes from shows like "I Love Lucy" or "Leave it to Beaver," it becomes evident that gender stereotypes were more rigid in the 1950s. Women were frequently depicted as homemakers, homemaking, caregiving, and submissive, while men held roles of authority and power in the family and society. Today, although progress has been made, remnants of these stereotypes persist, influencing perceptions about gender capacities and appropriate behavior. Consciousness around gender prejudice has increased, with more characters and storylines highlighting issues of inequality, but some portrayals continue to reinforce traditional roles.

Imagining waking up in a different era and as a different gender exposes how gender socialization shapes individual identity and social interactions. If I discovered my sex was opposite, feelings might range from surprise to curiosity. Relief or elation could stem from the opportunity to experience life from a different perspective or to challenge societal constraints. Conversely, feelings of apprehension might arise from concerns about social acceptance or new roles.

Such a hypothetical scenario encourages reflection about the assumptions and attitudes taken for granted in one's current gender. For example, as a woman, societal expectations often emphasize nurturing and domestic responsibilities, while as a man, expectations may lean toward dominance and independence. Attitudes toward the opposite sex—whether respectful, empathetic, or prejudiced—are often shaped by societal norms reinforced through media, family, and education. Exposure to media portrayals reveals how stereotypes—such as women being less competent in leadership or men being unemotional—are perpetuated.

Changes in attitudes toward gender and race have occurred since the 1950s, partly due to legal reforms, activism, and evolving cultural norms. For example, legislation like the Civil Rights Act and the Women's Rights Movement challenged institutionalized discrimination, fostering more inclusive attitudes. Nonetheless, stereotypes and inequalities still persist in various forms, evident in ongoing debates over gender pay gaps, representation, and systemic bias.

Analyzing these dynamics demonstrates that although significant progress has been made, societal change is ongoing. Media portrayals must continue to evolve in ways that challenge stereotypes and promote equality. Educational and policy initiatives play critical roles in this process, fostering a culture of awareness and respect for diversity in gender and race.

References

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• West, C., & Zimmerman, D. H. (1987). Doing gender. Gender & Society, 1(2), 125-151.
• Baker, L. R. (2014). Race and gender in contemporary society. Routledge.
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• Rubin, G. (1975). The traffic in women: notes on the “political economy” of sex. In Rayna R. Reiter (Ed.), Toward an Anthropology of Women (pp. 157-210). Monthly Review Press.
• hooks, bell. (2000). Feminism is for everybody: Passionate politics. South End Press.
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