Gender is a role, not a biological sex, and it is cultural

Gender is a role, not a biological sex, and it is cultural




Running head: Gender is a role, not a biological sex, and it is cultural







Gender is a role, not a biological sex, and it is cultural
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15 May 2011







Outline
I. Introduction.
Definition of gender identity
II. Main body.
1.Gender as a role and as cultural
2.Gender development theories
3. Gender as cultural
III. Conclusion























Gender is a role, not a biological sex, and it is cultural
Introduction
Definition of gender identity
Gender identity differs from person's sexual orientation or biological sex, it is rather a social role which an individual links himself/herself to. In normal circumstances, the gender identity of an individual i.e. man or woman usually resembles their biological sex, which is male or female. However, this is not the case in several occasions where an individual’s gender identity contrasts the biological sex. In such circumstances, these individuals are referred to as androgynous or transsexual. This therefore indicates that biological sex is determined by phenotype, chromosomes and genes while, on the other hand, the gender role is determined by the society, surroundings and culture (Crowe, Hill, Hollingum, MacFachern, Russel, 2010, p. 302).
Gender as a role
The debates that are attributed to social development of gender are mainly divided into two. The first category is regarded as broadly materialistic, which is associated with structural features that are incorporated in the social world and those that differentiate male and female in distinct pathways. The second category is rather discursive and is attributed to emphasizing the meanings associated with the essence of being a male or female in the society one lives in. This therefore indicates that in order to attain any gender formation the two categories are of essence....

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