Amongst the many popular misconceptions in today’s society, the in depth differences between sex and gender has grown to be one that is discussed extensively by psychologists and sociologists too. Sex in itself is a more scientific term that explains the innate physical attributes of an individual. On the other hand gender carries a more social tone.
Meaning, that it refers to the different clothing, activities, career choices, and positions people hold in society.This essay aims to highlight some of the key differential aspects between these two concepts; while the term sex has been well defined over the years, we learn how the topic of gender managed to rake up an in-depth study as well as gain its own significance in society. To begin with, sex is the word given to describe the obvious physical and biological characteristics that set the difference between males and females. These characteristics consist of voice, facial hair, body structure, genital organs etc.There are many bodily functions which also differentiate women from men; for example, the ability to menstruate or to bear children is solely possible by women only.
“Sex marks the distinction between women and men as a result of their biological, physical and genetic differences. ” -(Esplen, E. , Jolly, S. 2006) Gender is the word given to describe the socially constructed behaviours, roles and attributes which are set by society through the different channels which may consist of family, educational institutes and workplaces.These gender roles and gender stereotypes are given to males and females by society depending on their values and customs and social beliefs. (Mikkola, 2011) “Gender roles are set by convention and other social, economic, political and cultural forces” -(Esplen, E.
, Jolly, S. 2006). In short, sex distinguishes male from female and gender - masculinity from femininity. Since our main area of discussion is the emergence of gender as a prominent topic in the world, we have to begin categorizing the same here.Gender roles are sub-consciously set by society, right from the time of birth; baby girls are covered and dressed in pink whereas boys are done so in blue for example. Over the years these gender roles are strengthened by different channels, the most immediate channel being family.
From the toys that are bought for a boy (cars) to that bought for a girl (dolls), this all but reinforces the link of masculinity for males and femininity for females. The children are also expected to follow predefined ‘gender appropriate behaviour’ types.If the children do not behave according to their set behaviour forms, they may be scolded or punished. For example, if boys are playing high contact games amongst each other, this may be overlooked by parents and other adults. The same game would be frowned upon and prevented from happening if it were to be played between boys and girls; with the latter being associated with lighter contact games as otherwise they might end up getting hurt and crying. As an individual grows older he/she is also exposed to gender stereotypes that are enforced more strongly.
The socially determined notions and practices which outline what roles and activities are considered appropriate for women and men, is categorized under the term ‘ gender division of labor ‘ . The gender division of labor may seem natural, but it is in fact, socially constructed. In the past, females were usually expected to fall under the category of child-bearing and home-rearing whilst males were associated with doing tasks that are productive and more physically engaging.Since then, certain societies have retained this ideology in their cultures whereas in other cultures, this has been moved on from and women have become equally active and present in society as males. (Reeves & Baden, 2000) Furthermore, in more recent time research has come to prove and shed light to the fact that traits that belong to the male and female genders are linked biologically as well, in the form of chromosomes.
It is impossible to distinguish male and female embryos after conception apart from their chromosomes.It has been observed that the Y chromosomes in male embryos begin to encourage production of testosterone and other male sex hormones. These sex hormones cause the male embryo to develop male sexual organs instead of female sex organs. Along with that the androgens begin to cause the male brain to cultivate contrarily from the female.
It is this information that biopsychologists might use to explain the differences in adulthood between the way males and females act and think. For example, Dabbs et al (1995) found that violent offenders had higher testosterone levels than non-violent offenders and Coates et al (2008) found that financial traders with higher testosterone levels took greater risks. Women have higher levels of oxytocin than men and some researchers have linked this to increased sociability. Oxytocin seems to affect the formation of bonds and attachments between people. ” (Bussey, K.
, & Bandura, A. , 1999) Similarly, another type of approach is known as the cognitive developmental theory.This theory stresses that children develop stereotypic conceptions from their surroundings i. e. , they develop personalities and traits depending on what they see and hear. People begin to act in ways that are consistent to their self-conception which is considered gratifying.
For example a boy may have the following ideological mind set, "I am a boy, therefore I want to do boy things, therefore the opportunity to do boy things (and to gain approval for doing them) is rewarding" (Kohlberg, 1966, p. 9). To conclude, sex is the biological factor that differentiates females from males and gender on the other hand is defined by what society considers right and inculcates in males and females that encouraging masculinity or femininity. We can support the fact how gender has gained prominence in the world today through facts such as how gender division of labor in the past was the norm and how it is more of a misconception in certain cultures now.Gender does have a biological approach as well; scientists have researched extensively how the formation of chromosomes and furthermore different sex hormones has an effect on masculine and feminine behavioral characteristics.
Along with that, cognitive development which theorizes self-conceptualization to be gratifying and determinant for males and females is also another facet of gender development in the world today and simply justifies how gender has extended its presence amongst us.Reference List 1)Mikkola, M. (2011). Feminist perspectives on sex and gender. Retrieved from http://plato. stanford.
edu/archives/win2011/entries/feminism-gender/ 2)Reeves, H. , & Baden, S. (2000). Gender and development, concepts and definitions. 3) Bussey, K.
, & Bandura, A. (1999). Social cognitive theory of gender development and differentiation. Psychological Review, 106, 676-713. 4)Esplen, E.
, Jolly, S. (2006). GENDER and SEX A sample of definitions.
