WS100 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Speedstep, Reductionism, Determinism
21 Nov 2016
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Chapter 2: the social construction of gender: summary and themes. Although biological causes of gender differences are commonly believed, culture is more significant in shaping who we become as women and men. Biology sets very broad limits for human behaviour and is a poor predictor of what people become. Cases of those born as biologically intersexed can be used to show the significance of social factors in shaping gender identity. Carefully observing gender differences can also cross such categories, even though (cid:373)e(cid:374) a(cid:374)d (cid:449)o(cid:373)e(cid:374) are (cid:272)ulturall(cid:455) des(cid:272)ri(cid:271)ed as (cid:862)opposite se(cid:454)es. (cid:863) Gender is a social construction, meaning that gender is created through social learning and the structure of social institutions. Many social scientists distinguish the concepts of sex and gender. Sex refers to o(cid:374)e"s (cid:271)iologi(cid:272)al ide(cid:374)tit(cid:455) as male/female; gender refers to the social and cultural patterns associated with being men and women. Social institutions also guide how gender is constructed in society, with significant variation across diverse cultures.
