Is Gender-Specific Role a Result of Socialization or Nature - Research Paper Example

? Is Gender-Specific Role a Result of Socialization, Nature or Both? Socialization is one of the most fundamental concepts that occur soon after our birth and continues throughout our lives. It teaches us to become a part of a group and to belong to it, as well as how to adjust to the changes within that group. Given the importance of socialization in gender roles it is vital to understand the concept of gender socialization. There are several different theories on gender socialization, each of which has its own perspective of how gender socialization occurs. Gender socialization is a process within which we become aware of the “gender norms” applicable to our culture, and develop an internal “gender identity” as a male or female. These gender norms define what acceptable masculine and feminine behaviors are in a given culture. Likewise the way in which a person becomes a part of society in the form of a male or female is the gender identity. It defines who we really are and becomes an integral part of our inner selves (Ryle, 2011). We may say that the process of gender socialization begins right at the time of our birth, when parents name their kids and we are assigned either a boy or a girl attribute. Then as a child grows he/she begins to understand the distinct specifics of both genders through, for example the surrounding events, interactions, education and entertainment. Family conditions and norms also shape up the gender role. This may include different treatments for siblings of other genders, like a boy may be allowed to go out more often than his sister, and perhaps the sister being scolded less harshly than her brother. The surrounding environment also play a great role, for example the color room, either blue or pink, may define the gender roles for children at an early stage. Then there is a wide variety of gender-specific toys and there preference for kids, like Barbie dolls versus Power Rangers. Gender-specific role is also emphasized in boys and girls through their gatherings and there topic of conversations. Boys often meet and play in larger groups as compared to girls’ preference for small groups and they often exchange information that is completely different. Through these differences we gradually collect information throughout our lives that define distinct gender roles. Hence interaction through the process of gender-socialization is important in defining the gender-specific roles. The above discussion is a brief reflection on what most of the social constructionists believe. They believe that the gender-specific roles are indeed learned through society and experience. They believe that certain behaviors such as ferocity and aggressiveness are more characteristic of masculine than feminine gender, so boys often prefer to go with toys like cars, guns that fire fake bullets, robots and action figures etc. Conversely feminine gender is more characteristic of beauty, spontaneity, emotionality and like emotions hence they prefer toys like Barbie dolls, kitchen sets etc. However, Deborah Blum argues that the biology does play an important role in defining gender roles and establishing gender role identities. This is discussed in the following part of the paper. It has been experimentally shown that even very little kids respond different to the gender-specific toys. While this might be a great hint that some of the gender differences are biological and in-born, we cannot deny that socialization plays a major role in distinguishing gender roles after the birth. So it is rarely just one thing that accounts for the cumulative effect. We may view it as an interaction of genes with the environment. So to think that gender is entirely dependent on socialization may be misleading because some of the differences are natural and in-born (Ridley, 2004). How Toys Promote Traditional Gender Roles There are rich and obvious sex differences in children toys and these are same across majority of cultures. Girls are heightened to play with dolls and kitchen sets whilst boys are more biased towards the wheeled toys and fake weapons. These toys often facilitate the activity differences of male and female and are geared to reinforcing the respective gender behavior within the children. This is then supplemented with socialization by parents and elders, and the rejection of opposite-sex activities by both genders. There is evidence for biological factors as well but it is controversial whether the biological characteristics have a significant impact on kids’ choices. Supporting grounds for biological dependence includes for example, girls who are exposed to high androgen level may select masculine toys to play with. In humans boys usually play with rough and tough toys, whereas girls have a greater interest in infants. In a scientific research, sex-stereotyped toys were used with male and female monkeys. Female monkeys were more tempted to play with feminine toys whereas male monkeys chose to play with those that are masculine type. (Hassett et al, 2008) This may be seen in young children when they visit a toy store with their parents. Boys are often attracted by the blue colored aisles that offer masculine toys like cars and action figures like Iron-Man. It is apparent that without even conscious encouragement boys are tempted to masculine toys. Likewise girls like to be surrounded by a pink colored theme in the toy store. These aisles feature toys like the doll dress-up clothes, tea-sets and Barbie dolls etc. So there is an obvious difference in the two lines of toys. But the real question is what it really has to do with gender roles and differences? One way to explain this is that the toys who are focused on and marketed towards the boys are usually more technology-oriented, so that they can encourage their interest in science and technology. For instance, video games and action figures like Iron Man. Toys and games that, on the other hand, are marketed towards the girls are most representative of stories, scenarios and cases. For instance, tea set, Barbie dolls and dressing up clothes. The role of gender-neutral toys such as puzzles and Lego building blocks must be noted here, as some psychological studies have shown a connection between the choice of toys and the increased spatial abilities and perhaps intelligence associated with mathematics & science. In a study by Dyanne Tracy, these toys were divided specifically into two-dimensional toys (such as puzzles and stickers), and three-dimensional toys (such as Lego and Toy Tinker). The result showed that those children who played with three-dimensional toys scored higher in mathematics and science subjects than those who played with two-dimensional or some other toys (Tracy, 1987). To conclude, we may say that the formation of gender identity and gender-specific roles is a result of nature which includes in-born characteristics and attributes, as well as gender socialization, which is the process that continues from birth onwards. Works Cited Hassett, Janice M., Erin R. Siebert, and Kim Wallen. "Hormones and Behavior." Hormones and Behavior. 54.3: 359-364. 2008. Web. 3 Nov. 2012. . Maasik, Sonia, and Jack Solomon. Signs of Life in the USA: Readings on Popular Culture for Writers. 7th ed. Bedford/St. Martin's, 678. 2011. Print. Ridley, Matt. Nature Via Nurture . Harperperennial, 2004. Print. Ryle, Robin R. Questioning Gender: A Sociological Exploration. Sage Publications, Inc, 2011. Print. Tracy, D. M. Toys, spatial ability, and science and mathematics achievement: Are they related? Sex Roles: 17, 115-138. 1987. Print. Read More