(De)Constructing Sex & GenderPresented by Marc SettembrinoIntro to Sociology, Spring 2009

COPYRIGHT MARC SETTEMBRINO 2009

Discussion GoalsUnderstand Social Constructionist

theories of genderCompare Constructionist and

Functionalist theories of genderDiscuss “Doing Gender”Discuss Surveillance Apply social constructionist

theories to real world examples

What makes a man/woman?Masculine

◦ Strong◦ Athletic◦ Logical

Feminine◦ Emotional◦ Caring◦ Creative

Other examples?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gsqh5R3Moc

Social Construction of Gender

Gender is a social accomplishment that is both produced by the individual and agreed upon by the participation of others in social interaction.

(Kessler & McKenna 1978)

Comparing Gender Theories

Essential(Essentialist)◦ Differences

between genders are natural or biological

◦ These differences serve certain functions that keep society functioning

Social Construction (Constructionist)◦ Gender is a social

accomplishment◦ Gender is the product of

the cultural and historical period

◦ Gender is NOT natural, however due to overwhelming conformity to a societies gender rules, it may appear that certain characteristics are “normal”

West & Zimmerman – Doing Gender

“Doing gender is undertaken by women and men whose competence as members of society is hostage to is production.”

“Doing gender involves a complex of socially guided perceptual, interactional, and micropolitical activities that cast particular pursuits as expressions of masculine and feminine ‘natures’.”

Sex Sex Category Gender Sex is a determination made

through the application of socially agreed upon biological criteria for classifying persons as male or female.

Placement in a sex category is achieved through the application of the sex criteria. In everyday life sex category is sustained by socially required identificatory displays.

West & Zimmerman – Doing Gender

Sex Sex Category Gender Gender is the activity of

managing situated conduct in light of normative conceptions of attitudes and activities appropriate for ones sex category.

West & Zimmerman – Doing Gender

Woman or Man?

Surveillance Michael Foucault, French social

theoristThe Panopticon – 18th Century

Prison design by Jeremy Bentham. The panopticon allowed prison guards to watch all inmates at once from a central location. Inmates unaware of whether or not they were being watched would begin to police themselves.

Surveillance (cont)We are held accountable not only

to society but to ourselvesThrough the perceived constant

surveillance by those around us we begin to internalize the norms and values of our society

Examples?

Juggling GenderJennifer Miller is a circus

performer who doesn’t meet conventional gender expectations.

As you watch the film think about the gender “norms” that Jennifer is breaking.

Juggling Gender DiscussionHow does Jennifer do gender?

◦Does she conform to our expectation of a female bodied person?

How is gender done to Jennifer?◦How do others interact with her?

Other observations/comments?

Wrap upThe muddiest point?Questions/Comments?Key Concepts will be on

blackboardJuggling Gender is available at

the libraryA Copy of “Doing Gender” is on

Blackboard

Homework

Must be completed by March 5 at

8:00am!Take a few minutes to think about

what West & Zimmerman mean by "doing gender" and connect their meaning to your own life. Use West & Zimmerman's concept of doing gender to answer the following questions.

Homework Questions

1. Provide at least two examples of how you do your gender. How do these examples match West & Zimmerman’s concept?

2. Provide at least two examples of how gender is done to you. How do these examples match West & Zimmerman’s concept?

Homework GradingEach question is worth 5 points

◦2 pts for having two examples◦The remaining 3pts will be determined

by your ability to link concepts discussed in class to your examples.

Note: there are no "right" or "wrong" answers, however successful responses will make use of the sociological imagination, sociological terminology, and definitions outlined in class lectures and the textbook.