Post by jjhllkr on Apr 20, 2016 16:24:25 GMT
Page 239 discusses the cultural construction of gender. What would you say is the overall cultural construction of gender in America? Does your personal perspective of gender align or counteract the cultural "norm" in America? Explain.
Cultural construction of gender is the emphasis that different cultures have on male and females, masculinity and femininity. The world construction tends to brings to mind the act of building. Many different cultures build up what it means to be a male or female and they explain the significance of each role and how they differ. The thought that gender is culturally structures is very commonly misunderstood. Many scholars believe that anthropologist think that genetic differences between males and females is completely irrelevant. A few anthropologists believe this, mainly those who believe that theoretical orientation is more humanistic than scientific. The majority however believe that biological differences between males and females are relevant to two aspects in all of culture, ideas and behaviors. When we construct social reality male and female differences are minimized in some cultures and yet they are maximized in others. In everyday life our values tend to fall on patriarchy which crudely describes some groups and the “sexual equality” of others. In many different groups behavioral patterns very commonly differentiate between female and male activities and roles, whereas others allow both sexes to participate in similar activities. This fascination however does not imply that we deny biological realities. In other words there are no cultures that are natural with respect of conception of their gender. This makes it very difficult to determine the impact of many different biological factors and how it affects our culture. In our area I believe that our personal perspectives of gender align to the norm in America. We view the people around us as equals regardless of the gender.
WC: 304
Cultural construction of gender is the emphasis that different cultures have on male and females, masculinity and femininity. The world construction tends to brings to mind the act of building. Many different cultures build up what it means to be a male or female and they explain the significance of each role and how they differ. The thought that gender is culturally structures is very commonly misunderstood. Many scholars believe that anthropologist think that genetic differences between males and females is completely irrelevant. A few anthropologists believe this, mainly those who believe that theoretical orientation is more humanistic than scientific. The majority however believe that biological differences between males and females are relevant to two aspects in all of culture, ideas and behaviors. When we construct social reality male and female differences are minimized in some cultures and yet they are maximized in others. In everyday life our values tend to fall on patriarchy which crudely describes some groups and the “sexual equality” of others. In many different groups behavioral patterns very commonly differentiate between female and male activities and roles, whereas others allow both sexes to participate in similar activities. This fascination however does not imply that we deny biological realities. In other words there are no cultures that are natural with respect of conception of their gender. This makes it very difficult to determine the impact of many different biological factors and how it affects our culture. In our area I believe that our personal perspectives of gender align to the norm in America. We view the people around us as equals regardless of the gender.
WC: 304