Fundamentals of Sociology – Are sex and gender the same thing? Illustrate with examples
Beth Donovan
Word count: 1586
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Within this essay, I will be assessing the variations between sex and gender. Sex is defined as “either of the two main categories (male and female) into which humans and most other living things are divided on the basis of their reproductive functions”, (Oxford Dictionaries | English, 2018) while gender is defined in the same dictionary as being “either of the two sexes (male and female), especially when considered with reference to social and cultural differences rather than biological ones”. Sex and gender wage a war between themselves within society, creating a turmoil divided by opinion and exploitation, as our attitudes are influenced by the expectations of our culture. Consequently, this essay will outline and analyse the similarities and differences of sex and gender via the distinguishing of gender and sex during childhood, the presentation within media, using RuPaul’s Drag Race to illustrate, and finally the influence of traditional and social media to attain a conclusion that the understanding of sex and gender have varied with the influence of modern media.
An individual’s gender identity begins at birth. John Money, quoted in Please Select Your Gender (Gherovici, 2010) suggests that a child must have a “psychosocial” gender given before 18 months old to allow an identity to be formed that matches their anatomy. Erik Erikson defined psychosocial as something which looks at how social influences, outlines in Erikson’s eight stages, contribute to personalities throughout the entire lifespan, while also considering identity crises (Cherry, 2018). The notion of a psychosocial gender is only applied by the parents at the time of birth, and Siann (1994) suggests that differences to this are innate, which acts as an explanation as to how young children know if they disagree with their given gender. These examples can be seen in children as young as three (Brooks, 2018). Furthermore, gender identity is defined as the subjective state of which someone names their gender (Macionis and Plummer, 2011) thus emphasising that gender is of one’s own decision and that only sex can be bestowed upon an individual due to their biological nature. The nature/nurture debate places obvious gender roles onto the individual, usually of their biological gender (Siann, 1994). Clothing and toys are often a prominent marker of this and create stereotypical thoughts regarding the sex of the individual, a psychologically disposed idea. Studies involving children, such as BBC’s Gender specific toys: do you stereotype children? (BBC News, 2017) outline the dispositions of gender, seen as often being subconscious, despite some participants claiming to be “open minded”. It nurtures an individual to behave in a certain manner through the sensory environment they are exposed to. For example, ‘boys’ toys are more educative in spatial awareness and confidence, while ‘girls’ toys are softer, and encourage cliched feminine traits. The position of this study/educational video within the media, especially as it is dispersed by the BBC, stimulates thought in a wide range of audience, possibly giving parents the opportunity to find a better way to understand and play with their children. Nature, similarly, embeds the biological disposition of sex, simply the basis of reproductive features to encourage the application of stereotypes prior to any significance of variation and preference. Due to this is understood that by the time an individual has reached later childhood/adolescence, there is a firmly established concept of gender identity. (Kane, 1996)
Prior to the influence of modern media, gender and sexuality seemed to have been kept under wraps and binary, as a taboo subject. Men were men and women were women, and there was a stigma placed upon those who felt differently until the 1990’s in the United States particularly (Gherovici, 2010). It was generally accepted that the natural differences that men and women have held deep historic relations that permeate largely in mythology and were largely reflected within society (Siann, 1994). However, stigmatized connections may have begun to fall away with the introduction of media productions such as RuPaul’s Drag Race. The show aids in portraying men that cross fluently between their gender identity and their gender roles, encompassing performing as women while biologically, for the most part, they are of the male sex. Gender roles are the learning and performing of socially accepted behaviours of a given sex through media and society (Oxford Dictionaries | English, 2018), while gender identity is the individual’s perception that may not correspond with their birth sex. This modern application juxtaposes the traditional style presentation of gender roles in magazines such as Cosmopolitan and J17. From the early 2000’s, it is suggested that girls should be “evaluated” on their appearance, fulfilling requirements of “perfect skin and lustrous hair” (Gill, 2007). The show often depicts deviation from these ideals as they regularly film the men during the process of ‘becoming’ their female counterparts, emphasising the work that goes in to be presentable. The variations between the contestants’ styles promote their own identities and continue to push further from their binary roles. However, as the process of preparing is extensive, it emphasises the differences regarding expectations of how men and women should present themselves. Though the stereotypes are used- padding to accentuate curves and heavy makeup to carve out cheekbones, the message of being able to be whom you want to be is still clear and coherent. The emphasis is placed on the progression of acceptance with the fluidity of gender while also often portraying the malleability of it. Pearl, a contestant on the show in season seven, suggests that the creator of the show, RuPaul, has “changed lives” and “changed what gender non-conformity is” and has also been held as a role model, allowing individuals as young as 13 to feel safe in who they are (Lock, 2015). The realisation the ability to behave as more than one in a gender role, while having another identity is something that wasn’t in the media prior, thus opening minds of many who watch and encouraging acceptance while also aiding others in being open with who they are.
Similarly, media attention that the likes of Caitlyn Jenner attain further departs from the stigma and allows such a wide variety of people to engage with the influence of expression. It aids in educating masses due to the accessibility in Western culture. While patterns of practice within our society allow men’s dominance to continue, pursuing the notion of hegemonic masculinity (Connell, 2009) it is further accentuated by the influence of femininity and how the male gaze impacts the presentation of women in the media. Social media- such as Instagram and Facebook, make putting oneself ‘out there’ far easier. Yet, this is controlled by the perception of what men, as the superior sex (de Beauvoir 1949/2009) desire of the women as “second”. Connell emphasises this, stating that women are habitually found on magazine covers posed suggestively, particularly since male dominance is celebrated the need to show women in this manner foregrounds the power males hold. Due to this, research suggests that girls did not feel equal when it comes to their bodies and that they felt judged or sexually objectified. Physical attractiveness is proposed to be the most vital female trait, encouraging creators to play off this for exposure (Miller, 2018). But further research suggests that females are more likely to report positive self-esteem, (Valkenburg, Peter and Schouten, 2006) which illustrates just how damaging the media can be on self -image. Positive self-esteem can encourage persons to be themselves, improving acceptance of people as individual beings as Giddens (1991) suggests the self is made and is a continuous project, thus requiring a clear understanding of our personal biography. The spread of positivity within media and the exposure of the public to opinions and stories subject those coming forward with the confidence to tell their stories (e.g Caitlyn Jenner) to acceptance and positivity, but also to those who disagree and create negativity and hate. Therefore, the self can be most complete when behaving fully as to how its ‘owner’ desires, with the acceptance of others. The openness of the media and its accessibility, leads to further understanding of gender and sex- gender can be understood both online and through traditional media as altering one’s personality, how they look and how they portray themselves, while sex will always be understood in biological terms- change here requiring surgery and biological alterations, though the variations between the two have become more fluid in the projection of the variations between transgender, transsexual and transvestites. Thus, this blurs lines, so creating a diverse society.
Hence, in conclusion, it can be argued that with the production of media, both traditional and online, sex and gender have become more prominently diverse in understanding. It seems sex is to be continually understood as biological while gender is becoming more fluent, but the ability to accept what comes in between is really what ‘non-traditional’ media has pursued. It is more than simply social and cultural differences but personal preference, identity values and the influence of acceptance that is broadening the previously binary understandings. The importance of the self is being held at a much higher value in the present than it might have been prior to mainstream media. The portrayal is gaining acceptance through popular media stars and being shown to mass audiences. Furthermore, the use of RuPaul’s Drag Race, as an illustration, shows the reduction in stigma, as in prior years such a show may not have been aired due to backlash. But also, it signifies the strength and recognition gained through participating in shows like such and viewing them.
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