In This Course We Will Address A Number Of Topics Related To

In This Course We Will Address A Number Of Topics Related To Gender An

In this course we will address a number of topics related to gender and society. To analyze the impact of gender in society, we will first examine the way in which gender has affected our lives as individuals. For this assignment, you will describe your "gendered self," providing a description of gender in your everyday life, and then analyze the ways that you gender impacts your everyday life. Describe what it means to be your gender in society and for you as an individual. Also discuss the way in which you conform or deviate from societal expectations of masculinity or femininity.

How has gender as a social construct impacted your life choices? Provide a detailed description and analysis of at least one example of when gender has influenced you, interactions with others, decisions, etc. Incorporate related theories and/or course materials in your analysis. Also consider the following questions in your paper: How does your gender impact your everyday interactions with others? How is appearance and body image related to how you experience gender?

How are your performances of gender related to other social factors such as race, class, and sexuality? How are you rewarded or disadvantaged for the way you “do” gender every day?

Paper For Above instruction

Gender plays a fundamental role in shaping individual identities and social interactions within society. As a social construct, gender influences not only personal self-perception but also the expectations imposed by societal norms. Reflecting on my own gendered self, I find that my experiences and behaviors are heavily influenced by societal notions of masculinity and femininity, which in turn affect my daily interactions, decisions, and perceptions of self.

Understanding the Gendered Self

My gender identity aligns with societal expectations of femininity, which encompass traits such as nurturing, empathy, and appearance-oriented behaviors. From a young age, I internalized these norms through media representations, familial teachings, and peer interactions. These influences shaped my understanding of how I should comport myself in various social settings, including the importance placed on appearance and demeanor in affirming my gender identity.

Impact of Gender on Everyday Life

One prominent example of gender influencing my life occurred in professional environments where societal expectations for women to appear polished and nurturing are pronounced. I noticed that colleagues and supervisors often unconsciously associated professionalism with certain gendered appearance standards, such as wearing makeup or maintaining a particular dress style. These expectations sometimes limited my wardrobe choices and required additional effort to meet these standards, illustrating how gender performance is intertwined with societal rewards and pressures.

According to theories of gender performativity proposed by Judith Butler, gender is not an innate biological trait but a series of repeated acts that conform to societal norms (Butler, 1990). My behaviors, dress, and mannerisms are performances that align with societal expectations, which can lead to societal rewards such as social acceptance or professional opportunities but also to disadvantages like stereotypical judgments or reduced authenticity.

Conformance and Deviation from Societal Norms

I sometimes deviate from traditional femininity, such as by adopting more androgynous styles or discussing topics deemed less conventionally "feminine," which can lead to social sanctions or marginalization but also personal empowerment. This tension highlights how gender conformity often results in societal rewards, whereas deviation might invoke stigma or discrimination, aligning with Connell's theory of hegemonic masculinity and subordinate femininities (Connell, 1995).

Gender and Other Social Factors

Moreover, performance of gender intersects with other social identities. For example, aspects of my race and class influence how I am perceived when performing gender. As a member of a racial minority, I notice that stereotypes about femininity or masculinity are often racialized, affecting how others interpret my behaviors. Additionally, socio-economic status impacts access to certain resources that reinforce or challenge gender norms, such as clothing options or opportunities for appearance-enhancing procedures.

These intersections can either privilege or disadvantage me; for example, conventional beauty standards may favor certain racial or class privileges, rewarding conforming appearances while penalizing deviations for others. Intersectionality theory (Crenshaw, 1991) helps explain how overlapping identities compound societal rewards and disadvantages related to gender, race, and class.

Body Image and Appearance

My body image and appearance significantly influence my gender experience. Society often equates attractiveness with femininity, reinforcing a focus on physical presentation. When I meet or challenge these standards, I experience societal responses that reward or stigmatize me accordingly. Maintaining a certain appearance can be a source of privilege, conferring social acceptance, but also a burden, given the pressure to constantly conform or alter one's body to meet expectations.

Conclusion

In sum, gender as a social construct deeply impacts my everyday life through performances that are reinforced by societal expectations, influenced by intersections with race and class, and manifested in body image and appearance standards. Understanding these dynamics through theories of gender performativity, hegemonic masculinity, and intersectionality helps illuminate the pervasive ways gender shapes social interactions and personal identities. Recognizing these influences is crucial for fostering greater awareness and challenging restrictive gender norms to promote more equitable social environments.

References

• Butler, J. (1990). Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity. Routledge.
• Connell, R. W. (1995). Masculinities. University of California Press.
• Crenshaw, K. (1991). Mapping the Margins: Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and Violence Against Women of Color. Stanford Law Review, 43(6), 1241-1299.
• Fausto-Sterling, A. (2000). Sexing the Body: Gender Politics and the Construction of Sexuality. Basic Books.
• West, C., & Zimmerman, D. H. (1987). Doing Gender. Gender & Society, 1(2), 125–151.
• Lorber, J. (1994). Paradoxes of Gender. Yale University Press.
• Bem, S. L. (1995). Gender schema theory and its implications for child development. In J. H. Harvey (Ed.), Nebraska Symposium on Motivation (pp. 45–69). University of Nebraska Press.
• Courtenay, W. H. (2000). Constructions of masculinity and their influence on men's well-being: A theory of gender and health. Social Science & Medicine, 50(10), 1385-1401.
• Risman, B. J. (2004). Gender as a social structure. Gender & Society, 18(4), 429–450.
• Kraft, S. A. (2017). The Social Construction of Gender. Routledge.