Gender Biologically Determined - 2151 Words

â€Å"Is Gender Biologically Determined?†- Drawing upon ethnographic examples from 2-3 societies. Gender being ‘biologically determined’ means that whether gender is inherited or passed down by genetics. If a person is a man or woman, (which is usually called ‘The Sex’), that is biologically determined because they inherit the chromosomes to be born a man, or to be born as a woman. In the early 1970’s sex was described by â€Å"biology as: anatomy, hormones, and physiology† (West and Zimmerman 1987). Apart from gender being a biological factor, there are other things which are not biologically determined; â€Å"Gender was an achieved status, which was constructed through psychological, cultural and social means† (West and Zimmerman1987). Hence the†¦show more content†¦The law stated that the ‘family farm’ should be passed on from father to son, since women were considered weak and have no access and knowledge of property and agriculture. Women only came into this, only by marriage. Hence, the male leads the fami ly into it, he allocates what job has to be done, and he participates in forums decisions, and doing so he becomes publically recognised. Since women are adaptable and flexible, their tasks are confined to household chores, and these tasks are unpaid and not recognised as productive output from them. On the other hand, men’s identities were tied to their ownership of the farms, their occupation and the productive outcome which give them status and economic income. â€Å"Real work was equated with physical tasks and women’s self image is based on the absence of such qualities† (Brandth 2002). In recent days, with the improvement of farming technologies, the female work, such as milking cows, and so on are now being done by these improvised machines, making women less efficient and thus making farming a whole masculine activity (Brandth 2002). Hence with this example it is clearly pointed out that the social construct differentiates and distinguishes men and women . Apart from gender being differentiated by a social construct, there areShow MoreRelatedGender Biologically Determined2144 Words   |  9 Pagesâ€Å"Is Gender Biologically Determined?†- Drawing upon ethnographic examples from 2-3 societies. Gender being ‘biologically determined’ means that whether gender is inherited or passed down by genetics. If a person is a man or woman, (which is usually called ‘The Sex’), that is biologically determined because they inherit the chromosomes to be born a man, or to be born as a woman. In the early 1970’s sex was described by â€Å"biology as: anatomy, hormones, and physiology† (West and Zimmerman 1987). ApartRead MoreIs Gender Socially Constructed or Biologically Determined? Essay1931 Words   |  8 Pagesdifferences, the question whether gender-specific labels stems from these biological differences or are gender constructed remains a polarised nature versus nurture debate. Whether it is through the process of socialisation or genetic make-up, â€Å"gender identity† is given from a person’s birth, determining how a person culturally interacts and the expectations society places on them. Along with a â€Å"gender identity† comes a whole set of â€Å"norms†, â€Å"values† and so-called â€Å"gender characteristics†, which are supposedRead MoreThe Current Day And Age Essay1266 Words   |  6 PagesIn the current day and age, gender can be a very controversial topic. Back in the early 1950’s, there were very clearly defined gender roles for males and females. It is no longer as simple as it once was to define gender. 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Gender identity is primarily biological regardless of a person’s physicalRead MoreSex, Gender, And Gender915 Words   |  4 Pagesquestion is asked because, sex is biologically determined, from the second we come out of the womb, by our chromosomes, genitalia, reproductive organs, and hormones. People often group sex and gender together as if they are the same thing, but really they are two separate categories. Gender is a category that splits bodies into a binary system of women and men. Ultimately the two terms intertwine because, one’s biologica lly determined sex is assigned a gender role to play. The main difference betweenRead MoreGender Roles And The United Arab Emirates1496 Words   |  6 Pageswork life. In showing the idea that gender roles are socially constructed rather than biologically determined, the similarities and differences between the United States’ and the United Arab Emirates’ gender specific job stereotypes, pay differences between males and females, and maternity leave are easily pronounced. Gender specific job stereotypes have been around ever since women have begun to participate in the workforce. In the United States, the gender role was if women decide to work theyRead MoreIs Homosexuality Biologically Based Pro / Con Essay1441 Words   |  6 PagesIs Homosexuality Biologically Based Pro/Con Introduction Society has always been able to cope with having two opinions about a situation. For example as we continue to debate over the issue of homosexuality, many sub-debates have come forward from this topic. For instance, debates of marriage, gay rights within the spectrum of laws and regulations all construct an ensuing point of debates amongst people (Slife, 2013, p. 160). In fact, the more powerful debate about homosexuality is the claim thatRead MoreGender Identity : An Unfamiliar And Confusing Concept956 Words   |  4 PagesGender identity is an unfamiliar and confusing concept to many people. Until recently, Americans have been taught and conditioned to believe that one’s anatomy and genetics are what determines one’s gender. Acting or dressing like the other gender was considered disgusting and taboo, and people who claimed to be transgender were thought of as severely mentally ill. Some would even confuse gender identity with sexual orientation; like believing that all transgender people are gay. However, now that