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(De)Constructing Sex & GenderPresented by Marc SettembrinoIntro to Sociology, Spring 2009
COPYRIGHT MARC SETTEMBRINO 2009
Discussion GoalsUnderstand Social Constructionist
theories of genderCompare Constructionist and
Functionalist theories of genderDiscuss “Doing Gender”Discuss Surveillance Apply social constructionist
theories to real world examples
What makes a man/woman?Masculine
◦ Strong◦ Athletic◦ Logical
Feminine◦ Emotional◦ Caring◦ Creative
Other examples?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gsqh5R3Moc
Social Construction of Gender
Gender is a social accomplishment that is both produced by the individual and agreed upon by the participation of others in social interaction.
(Kessler & McKenna 1978)
Comparing Gender Theories
Essential(Essentialist)◦ Differences
between genders are natural or biological
◦ These differences serve certain functions that keep society functioning
Social Construction (Constructionist)◦ Gender is a social
accomplishment◦ Gender is the product of
the cultural and historical period
◦ Gender is NOT natural, however due to overwhelming conformity to a societies gender rules, it may appear that certain characteristics are “normal”
West & Zimmerman – Doing Gender
“Doing gender is undertaken by women and men whose competence as members of society is hostage to is production.”
“Doing gender involves a complex of socially guided perceptual, interactional, and micropolitical activities that cast particular pursuits as expressions of masculine and feminine ‘natures’.”
Sex Sex Category Gender Sex is a determination made
through the application of socially agreed upon biological criteria for classifying persons as male or female.
Placement in a sex category is achieved through the application of the sex criteria. In everyday life sex category is sustained by socially required identificatory displays.
West & Zimmerman – Doing Gender
Sex Sex Category Gender Gender is the activity of
managing situated conduct in light of normative conceptions of attitudes and activities appropriate for ones sex category.
West & Zimmerman – Doing Gender
Woman or Man?
Surveillance Michael Foucault, French social
theoristThe Panopticon – 18th Century
Prison design by Jeremy Bentham. The panopticon allowed prison guards to watch all inmates at once from a central location. Inmates unaware of whether or not they were being watched would begin to police themselves.
Surveillance (cont)We are held accountable not only
to society but to ourselvesThrough the perceived constant
surveillance by those around us we begin to internalize the norms and values of our society
Examples?
Juggling GenderJennifer Miller is a circus
performer who doesn’t meet conventional gender expectations.
As you watch the film think about the gender “norms” that Jennifer is breaking.
Juggling Gender DiscussionHow does Jennifer do gender?
◦Does she conform to our expectation of a female bodied person?
How is gender done to Jennifer?◦How do others interact with her?
Other observations/comments?
Wrap upThe muddiest point?Questions/Comments?Key Concepts will be on
blackboardJuggling Gender is available at
the libraryA Copy of “Doing Gender” is on
Blackboard
Homework
Must be completed by March 5 at
8:00am!Take a few minutes to think about
what West & Zimmerman mean by "doing gender" and connect their meaning to your own life. Use West & Zimmerman's concept of doing gender to answer the following questions.
Homework Questions
1. Provide at least two examples of how you do your gender. How do these examples match West & Zimmerman’s concept?
2. Provide at least two examples of how gender is done to you. How do these examples match West & Zimmerman’s concept?
Homework GradingEach question is worth 5 points
◦2 pts for having two examples◦The remaining 3pts will be determined
by your ability to link concepts discussed in class to your examples.
Note: there are no "right" or "wrong" answers, however successful responses will make use of the sociological imagination, sociological terminology, and definitions outlined in class lectures and the textbook.