The statement of Simone de Beauvoir Women and Men are made, not born - Essay Example

The statement of Simone de Beauvoir; “Women and Men are made, not born” “Women and Men are made, not born” The statement of Simone de Beauvoir; “Women and Men are made, not born”, proposes that an individual generally acquires the identity of a woman or a man over a period of time. This identity comes through several complex social processes. The statement of Simone De Beauvoir suggests that the roles and behaviours of gender are not inherent. Moreover, this social positioning aspect should not be decided depending upon sex. This study will begin by providing a distinction between the gender and sex (Newsome, 2007, p.7). Moreover, the essay will discuss two different arguments which will help to explore the gender difference’s origin. These two arguments are biological determinist position and social construction theory. These are based on the statements of Simone de Beauvoir. Gender addresses the socially constructed categories of feminine and masculine. Several behaviours and attributes of gender are assigned to the categories. On the other hand, sex can be determined as the universal distinction between a woman and man. It is based on several physical and biological differences. These differences are generally characterized by both external and internal sex organs, genetics and hormones. It is very much difficult to explain how gender and sex are related to each other. Moreover, it is difficult to argue that there is no connection between sex and gender. If it is stated that there is no relation between gender and sex then it is reasonable to presuppose that the notions gender and sex of individuals are social constructs. It can be assumed considering a theory recognized as social construction thesis. On the other hand, if there is a positive relationship between gender and sex, then it is logical to make an assumption that it is the sex of an individual that determines his or her gender. The social constructionists have contended that the differences in gender derive from the cultural and social processes. These are not grounded in the nature of the biology. The social constructionists have also argued that cultural and social processes create various gender discourses that can differ across space and time. The gender discourses generally allocate different responsibilities and behaviours. However, the essay will highlight how the men and women are made, not born. The study will introduce different cultural views on both women and men. Firstly, the study will begin with several research works on different cultures and the ways of life of those cultures. This will create huge interest in the mind of the readers as it is interesting to know that how the thought process and views of people of different countries differ from each other. In western countries, the distinction between the cultural gender and biological sex has become important part of manifestation in the field of social science, politics and education. Feminist thinking is very much responsible for this distinction. Considering the gender perspective it has become clear that both the roles of male and female gender are affected by the ideas of concentrate society under concentrate space and time (Witting, 1993, p.103). Social structure analysis and gender aware observations have shown several problematic issues. The stereotype conditions of gender relations are constructed on the basis of cultural patterns, conventional perceptions and several social ideologies. These are piling up the concept of true masculinity and femininity. The statement of Beauvoir implies that an individual can be trained or taught to be a man or woman. Gender is a particular socialisation process that makes an individual believes that she or he is female or male. On the other hand sex is associated with several biological features. It can be identified from the time of his or her birth (Appelrouth and Edles, 2010, p.347). It makes an individual either a woman or man. As gender is the socialisation process, therefore, this process starts right from the time of birth. Gender has proven to be more stronger and superior comparing to the sex. When a man is feeble, soft and weak can be known as a man in a society. Similar to this, when a woman takes up critical challenges and acts strong and tough can be recognized as a man in a society. For an example, the first female Prime Minister of Great Britain is Margaret Thatcher. In an addition, it can be stated that the gender of an individual can be defined by her or his performances, characteristics and attitudes. For an example, in countries like Afghanistan, the husband and father in family makes woman. Marriage of a woman is completely chosen by their families. In Afghanistan, women should be covered completely by a black long veil. Moreover, the women in Afghanistan are fully accompanied by men at the time of leaving their house. Afghanistan is a male dominating country. Men in that country are recognized as socialized individuals and have power and authority over the rights and lives of women. Women always follow the views of their father and husband. It is a clear example of hegemonic masculinity. These facts have proved that the above aspects automatically give hegemonic authority and power to the men. On the other hand, in some social communities in Africa, when a baby boy is born he is referred to as human but a baby girl referred to as an animal. The girl child has not the basic right to achieve formal education. The girl child is left to take care of her house and gain knowledge from her mother how to keep her future husband and home happy. Australia is a free country. Each and every Australian has the right to become what they wish to become or the right to do what they tend to do. The term women and men are obviously made, not born. It is up to both women and men to make decisions in their life and achieve what they want to achieve in their life. Everybody should have their own views and rights as everyone is unique and has the effective value in society. School is one of the most important social institutions. Schools and individuals within it are the key parts of whole society (Kravdal and Rindfuss, 2008, p.25). Therefore, it is the schools to teach several unknown facts. This transformation process of society will help to bring diversifications. It is most important think for a society to diversify the thought proves of several individuals. Women and men both are equally strongest assets of a human society. It is the prime responsibility of the society to bring equality. Otherwise it may hamper the balance of human resource. Gender of an individual cannot be explored if he or she cannot enjoy his or her basic right. In terms of sex, it can be argued that, a women or a man can born, not made. But considering the gender factor, it can be stated that a women or a man can made not born through the social performance, attitude and behaviour of a woman or a man. The teachers in a school can make them understand about several attributes of gender. It is their duty to do so. According to the theory of Charles Darwin, primitive genes only can decide the sex of an individual. In countries like Afghanistan and several communities in Africa, the schools have to take the initiative to make the society understand (Michaud and Nossal, 2002, p.222). It is evident that in several European countries women are dominating the society through the effective performances, leadership quality and positive attitudes. Feminine or masculine gender is the particular gender identification of an individual that can be achieved. Achieving basic rights is not unethical In order to make everybody understand about this basic aspect, the school programs and textbooks need to be revised accordingly. Firstly the school have to earn several basic things. Firstly, the schools have to understand that biological sex can be determined by principles and nature of the individuals. It can be identified before the baby has taken birth. In the moment of child’s birth the gender of a baby starts to shape. Certain differences according to the biological predispositions can exist, but they cannot justify the idea or concept about natural existence of a male or a female. Moreover, they cannot justify the unequal status of both men and women (McCann and Kim, 2003, p.249). The gender specific socialization process of boys and girls has several important levels. Most importantly, this process is taking place constantly. It is the key resistance to these attempts at the conscious control of the process. However, the teachers of a school should provide cooperative identification and orientation while establishing the offers. It will be effective for the society to understand the difference between the gender and sex. This gender specific socialization process has the power to decide the reproduction and reinforcement of gender stereotypes. Moreover, it can reveal the meaning of girls and boys. Moreover, this socialization process can open up or establish new spaces for both boys and girls in order to shape the forms of masculinity and femininity. References Appelrouth, S., and Edles, L., 2010. Sociological Theory in the Contemporary Era. New York: Pine Forge Press. Kravdal, O., and Rindfuss, R., 2008. Changing Relationship between Education and Fertility. American Sociological Review, 14(2), p.25. McCann, C., and Kim, S., 2003. Feminist Theory Reader. London: Routledge. Michaud, N., and Nossal, K., 2002. Diplomatic Departures. Toronto: UBC Press. Newsome, B., 2007. Made, Not Born. Westport: Greenwood Publishing. Witting, M., 1993. One is not born a Woman. The Lesbian and Gay Studies Reader, 10(6), p.103. Read More