Thesis on "Society - Gender Theory Theoretical Approaches"

Thesis 4 pages (1121 words) Sources: 2 Style: APA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Society - Gender Theory

THEORETICAL APPROACHES TO GENDER

Human behavior is influenced tremendously by different elements of biology and culture. Even the most fundamental attributes of the individual, such as gender-specific expression is undoubtedly a combination of evolutionary biology, as evidenced by parallels between human behavior and that of numerous other higher animal species that reproduce sexually. Similarly, there is a powerful interpersonal basis for most aspects of human behavior, shaped by early life experiences (Gerrig & Zimbardo, 2005).

Undoubtedly, the original basis for gender differentiation is biological, but within the human species, culture and social learning is the primary determinant of most outwardly observable gender-based social behavior. Society establishes and defines common expectations associated with gender and cultural practices, beliefs, and customs account for the tremendous variation apparent among different human societies and different ethnic groups (Henslin, 2002; Macionis, 2003).

The Cultural Influences on Gender-Based Behavioral Expression:

In the late 1980s, social theorists West and Zimmer introduced the concept of doing gender, to describe the degree to which individuals express their gender in exactly the manner prescribed by their prevailing social environment. Rather than necessarily discounting the influence of biological and evolutionary factors, the concept of "doing gender" simply refers to the fact that social learning is responsible for shaping human behavior within the much more general direction established by biological gender assignment (Henslin, 2002; Macionis, 2003). Therefore, when adult males express chauvinistic attitudes and repress their emotions and adult females experience shame in connection with their sexual urges, those represent just a few of many examples where the individual is merely acting out social roles shaped by cultural learning (Efthim, Kenny, & Mahalik, 2001).

Human intelligence is responsible for the much richer variety of cultural differences in different human societies than apparent in different societies of other animal species, and the extensive differences in cultural expectations, beliefs, and practices within human cultures includes the very definition of behaviors and attitudes that become characteristic of the two genders. In that regard, concepts of masculinity and femininity differ substantially among different ethnic cultures, as do beliefs and values that define acceptable behavior for members of each gender (Abreu, Goodyear, Campos, et al., 2000). In American society, evidence of the profound influence of social culture on behavior in general and on gender expression in particular is obvious when comparing characteristically male and characteristically female behavior inherent in the prevailing beliefs and expectations within ethnic cultures.

Anecdotal Examples:

One of the most prominent examples of socially influenced gender-specific behavior concerns the response of the individual to emotions. Generally, males are socialized from very early on to distance themselves from their emotions and to redirect their emotional energies outward and channel them into tangible release mechanisms, such as sports, superficial camaraderie, or productive work. Conversely, females are socialized to experience their emotions more fully and they are encouraged to express them directly. As a result, males often overcompensate for emotional issues as a means of avoiding dealing with them (Gerrig & Zimbardo, 2005).

Another example of socially influenced gender-specific behavior is the fact that generally, males are socialized to externalize any feelings of guilt, shame, or inadequacy, whereas females are socialized to internalize those sensations (Bruch, 2002; Efthim, Kenny, & Mahalik, 2001). As a result, guilt, shame, and fears of inadequacy in males tends to be expressed most often only indirectly, such as… READ MORE

How to Reference "Society - Gender Theory Theoretical Approaches" Thesis in a Bibliography

Related Thesis Papers:

Gendered Criminology Theory Term Paper

Gendered Criminology Theory

The authors of this article interrogates the various traditional and more contemporary approaches to the issue of gender differences in crime and particularly with regard to the… read more

Term Paper 4 pages (1218 words) Sources: 1 Style: APA Topic: Crime / Police / Criminal Justice

---

Theoretical Perspectives Term Paper

Theoretical Perspectives

Structural Functionalism

Structural functionalism is a theory or sociological perspective that sees society as essentially functionally integrated. As will be discussed in this paper, conflict theory contrasts with… read more

Term Paper 5 pages (1832 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Sociology / Society

---

Theoretical Orientation Term Paper

Theory

Theoretical Orientation

Theoretical Orientation and Adult Education

The importance of theoretical orientation in adult education is an aspect that is intimately linked to philosophical questions that relate to the… read more

Term Paper 2 pages (870 words) Sources: 3 Topic: Education / Teaching / Learning

---

Theoretical Approach Critic on a Chosen Media Object Term Paper

Media Critical Analysis

Hamlet

Hamlet: The struggle of being and the power of passion

Hamlet: The struggle of being and the power of passion

Media critical analysis

The Struggle of… read more

Term Paper 11 pages (4649 words) Sources: 5 Style: Chicago Topic: Philosophy / Logic / Reason

---

Gender Differences and Their Explanations Essay

Gender Differences and Their Explanations

The question of gender difference is one that has been the focus of much debate, confusion and conjecture in our modern societies. The issue of… read more

Essay 6 pages (1919 words) Sources: 1 Style: APA Topic: Sexuality / Gender

---

View 100+ more related papers  >>