Untitled Quiz

Cultural Categories and Social Constructionism

• Cultural categories are not fixed, their boundaries are fluid. They are shaped by society, history, and institutions.
• Social Constructionism recognizes that seemingly fixed characteristics like gender, race, and age are human-made concepts shaped by culture and history.
• This challenges essentialism – the idea that these characteristics are innate and biological.
• Gender is socially constructed and associated with characteristics of men and women, influencing how these categories are perceived.

Social Construction of Reality

• Human beings create their own understanding of reality through communication and interaction.
• This shapes how we interpret the world and engage with others.
• The construction of reality is a historical process involving the categorization of experiences and treating them as real phenomena.
• Different cultures lead to different understandings of social phenomena.
• Gender is not inherently true, it is shaped by societal expectations and norms.

Fashion and Gender

• During the Renaissance, the ideal female body was voluptuous with small breasts, large tummy, and hips.
• In 1600s Europe, men wore bold colors, high heels, wigs, and makeup. Blue was associated with femininity.

The Social Impact on Biology

• Social reality can influence biology.
• The height difference between men and women has been shrinking in the last 100 years due to changes in nutrition.
• These changes in nutrition were brought about by shifting cultural beliefs.

Height Judgement and Stereotypes

• People's judgments about height are influenced by stereotypes about men being taller than women. This stereotype comes from everyday interactions.
• In studies, participants were more likely to judge adult men as taller than women and seventh-grade females taller than seventh-grade males.

Gender Controversies

• There have been controversies about gender and its role in athletics.
• In 2019, two athletes in the Chinese Women’s 4x400 Relay faced questioning about their gender.
• The Chinese Athletic Association confirmed they were women despite public doubts.
• There was also controversy surrounding two female boxers who failed a gender eligibility test, as they had male chromosomes.
• The International Boxing Association (IBA) has been under fire for decisions on gender eligibility, leading to the IOC stripping their governing status.

Social Construction of Gender

• Gender is a social construct.
• Simone de Beauvoir argued that one does not simply "become" a woman, but rather is a "creature" produced by society.
• This highlights the role of culture and society in shaping gender identity.

Social Expectations of Gender Identity

• Societal expectations play a significant role in how we understand gender identity.
• These expectations are reinforced by cultural beliefs, norms, and practices.
• Socialization processes contribute to shaping our perceptions of gender and its role in society.