Question

To say that gender is "constructed" is to say that:

A) most cultures have few expectations about behavior as it relates to gender.
B) masculine and feminine have different meanings (and associated behaviors) in different cultures.
C) gender differences are actually superficial, given other concerns of people's lifeways.
D) in American society, people are free to decide on assuming any gender characteristics they wish.
E) societies have consciously developed ideas of two or more genders in planning their way of life.

Answer 1

To say that gender is constructed means that gender identities and roles are socially created rather than biologically determined. Gender is a performance based on societal norms, and gender identity is an internal perception that can vary across cultures. Cultural expectations of masculinity and femininity are not universal, and some societies allow for flexibility in gender expression.

Step-by-step explanation:

To say that gender is "constructed" refers to the idea that gender identities, roles, and expectations are created and defined by society, rather than being determined solely by biological differences. Cultural anthropologists and gender scholars, like Judith Butler and Simone de Beauvoir, suggest that gender is a system that is learned and performed according to the norms, values, and behaviors designated by one's culture. It is important to distinguish gender from sex, which is based on biology, as the formation of gender identity is seen as a social process with considerable variation across cultures and over time.

Gender Binarism and the Social Construction of Gender

Many cultures operate under a gender binary, a system that recognizes only two genders, defining them as opposites. However, cultural expectations of masculinity and femininity can differ greatly, illustrating that the dichotomy is not universal. The social construction of gender is supported by the idealized categories of "male" and "female" and is structured by social institutions that shape how individuals are taught to enact their assigned gender. In this view, individuals learn to "perform" their gender, often conforming to a set of idealized norms that may not reflect their true selves entirely.

Femininity, Masculinity, and Gender Roles

In examining the societal concepts of femininity and masculinity, it's clear that these are tied to traditional gender roles, each laden with expected norms, practices, and values. Gender identity is an internal perception of one's gender, which may or may not align with the roles traditionally associated with one's biological sex. In some societies, like the United States, there is flexibility in how individuals express their gender roles, which allows for a mix of traditionally masculine and feminine behaviors.