Gender - It Is Something That We Do - Essay Example

Gender: It Is Something That We Do Gender: It Is Something That We Do Gender is a controversial topic that divides theorists’ opinion. Some people describe gender as an inborn trait engraved in genetic encoding while others express it as a product of personal experiences that allow one to act based on socially expected gender behavior (Brickell, 2005). The first group explores the biological aspect though it is yet to provide substantial evidence that support claims. The second opinion bases its arguments on science and arts. The process involves developmental process of an individual, effect of the environment an individual, conformity to societal description of gender and societal changes that have witnessed the gradual changes of gender roles (Blechner, 2009). It is necessary to discuss the second opinion stating that gender is a product of human actions, beliefs and practices. Mark Blechner gender theory Blechner argues that gender is a conception within a community that only recognizes genders as male and female. The ideas of trans-sexuality and homosexuality are unwelcome in the community because of its fallacious state (Blechner, 1995). Blechner’s argument contributes to the process of psychoanalysis that seeks to dispute earlier psychopathology beliefs that certain behaviors are pervasive and deadly errors of nature. Certain phenomena change over time due to increased awareness and attitude change of the society (Blechner, 1995). For example, I remember stories from my aunts and other relatives concerning the 20th century. During this time, homosexuals had no legal rights to engage in sexual activities. Consequently, the authorities constantly arrested them. However, homosexual is currently legal between consenting parties in several states such as Massachusetts (Blechner, 2009). I also learned from my relatives that women were not expected to portray ambitious or political interests because these were manly traits. Today, countless political and entrepreneurial women contribute to the advancement of humankind. Another example is interracial marriages in United States that has now created a large population of interracial society. A few decades ago, the same was illegal in 30 states of United States (Blechner, 2009). The examples above indicate the static nature of human beliefs and behavior. People accept practices that existed before them and aspects that a specific community advocates (Blechner, 1995). It is important to acknowledge that a person acquires gender from his or her environment. I remember a specific occasion when a mother scolded her young daughter when she became dirty by saying “why are you are so dirty? Are you a boy? Stop acting like one and act like a girl.” The girl involuntarily accepts that boys or men are allowed to be dirty or have certain privileges. Consequently, the girl refrains from getting dirty, which is a responsibility imposed on her that gets into her subconscious mind. Conformity to expected gender behavior generates two distinct opposites with specific societal roles stipulated for each gender. According to Healey (2003), circumcised men could not enter the kitchen or prepare a meal in several African communities before colonization. This was the duty of female gender. During initiation process (circumcision), young boys were taught traits and behaviors that make them masculine. The reasoning is outdated in Africa indicating that changes in cultural believes, literacy levels and open mindedness exposes people to new ways of thinking that eventually transforms entire generations and gender practices. Fallacy is a common mistake that fails to integrate the broader perception of phenomena (Psychology Dictionary, 2001). Fallacies in the gender issues include opposing same-sex marriages. Blechner explains such an attitude using von Domarus principle, which states that an individual perceives two distinct, but related things as two identical items (Dowden, 2006). Von Damarus principle explains a disorder identified as schizophrenia. In schizophrenia, the patient makes irrational conclusions by comparing and equating simple facts in relative absence of constructive conscious reasoning. A schizophrenic person is an ill person according to current researches. Blechner proves that even healthy individuals portray von Damarus principle, especially when under considerable emotional pressure. Married individuals who are psychologically stable may fear when same-sex marriages become legal. I have friends, who unconsciously reason that if a homosexual marries, it makes him homosexual too because he is married. However, if homosexuals cannot marry, then he cannot be a homosexual because he is married and the homosexual is not. This is fear of being categorized together with the homosexual. According to Blechner, this type of reasoning is highly likely. In as much as the conscious mind directs most of reactions and behavior, the subconscious mind controls some behavior aspect (Kirkpatricks, 2009). The pattern that triggers this ideology is interwoven within the subconscious mind that learns, stores patterns, concerns and repressed emotions over time. The subconscious mind is an entity that absorbs the gender shaping lessons taught to an individual from early stages when the society starts making the children aware of the gender differences between the two sexes (Blechner, 1995). Three possible outcomes result from gender shaping. The first possibility is that some individuals will effectively adapt the societal view of gender importance because they have the basic instinct to follow rules. The second possibility is that some individuals may suppress their unconscious instincts and behave according to how the society wants them to live. However, individuals in this category live disturbed mentally, emotionally and psychologically. They have donned genders that do not fit them. The third possibility is that some individuals will out-rightly defy the popular believe and engage into sexual or intimate relations with partners of the same sex. The second possibility illustrates how much gender concept is misplaced and shaped by the society. In some societies, boys had to perform recessive fellario on older men as a ritual practice whereas in western countries people cringe at the idea of legalizing same-sex marriages (Blechner, 2009). Judith Butler Judith Butler, a professor at University of California seconds the opinion that gender is a doing thing other than an inborn definitive trait. According to Butler (1999), feminism made a major mistake in attempting to establish women as a group of individuals with same interests and characteristics. As such, individuals in society have been subject to unwarranted regulation and presentation by gender roles and relations. For example, I have friends, who have undergone surgery to reshape or implant genitals in order to change sexes (Butler, 1999).The activity has led to a condition known as Shemale. The informal name describes the male category of transsexuals that have transformed psychologically into females, but have not undergone surgery. Based on this example, the man or woman gender ideology does not explain other phenomena, especially, when the characteristics of an individual does not fit either as a man or a woman’s qualities. Butler notes that developers of feminism assumed that feminine and masculine genders would strengthen through culture as an inevitable reality to every person. They thought that feminine gender would shape itself through time and culture. They also believed it would remain the only other gender and with specific basic characteristics and interests. Similarly, male gender would grow and diversify while respecting the feminine gender. According to Butler (1999), male and female genders emerged because of regular practices that over time became conventional for either males or females. She further explains that the term gender exists because certain people behaved in a specific way, giving rise to a gender aspect of understanding life. I have female friends, who say that they feel less of a woman, while others say they feel more of a woman. Some of my male friends also claim they feel less of a man or more of a man. People say such things following an incidence where they performed excellently, underperformed or failed to perform. The circumstances led to emotional and logic confusions (Kirkpatricks, 2009). This indicates the true nature of gender, which is an accomplishment that gives one identity. Gender is construed along cultural and environmental stimulus. Unlike Butler’s view, biological theorists argue that female or male genders lead to femininity and masculinity. The ensuing traits influence the desire of an individual towards another who should be the opposite gender. Butler describes gender and sexual desires towards any gender as free-floating, implying that there is no connection between the two. Desires and gender are only mere possibilities in real-time suspension and will be real only after completion of a certain activity or behavior. Conclusion Gender is a controversial topic that can be traced to the late 20th and early 21st century. Initially gender and sex were inseparable terms. Biologists believed genetic forces influence not only the sex of an individual but also his or her gender. Biologists still try to find evidence to prove existing connection between sex and gender. However, another group of theorists argues that gender is a term describing commonality of behavior and interest. Mark Blechner supports this view, but argues that traditional gender system forced people to conform to socially acceptable behavior. Judith Butler also supports the ideology and argues in another dimension that gender is a fluid-like state term that transforms with time and space. Consequently, trans-sexuality and homosexuality are emerging genders. List of References Blechner, M. J., 1995. The shaping of psychoanalytic theory and practice by cultural and personal biases about sexuality. 1 ed. New York: Routledge. Blechner, M. J., 2009. Gender and Sexuality. [Online] Available at: http://www.markblechner.com/articles.php [Accessed 21 February 2014]. Blechner, M. J., 2009. Sex Changes. [Online] Available at: http://www.markblechner.com/sex_changes/chapters.php [Accessed 21 February 2014]. Blechner, M. J., 2009. Sex Changes: Transformations in Society and Psychoanalysis. 2 ed. London: Taylor & Francis. Brickell, C., 2005. Masculinities, Performativity, and Subversion: A Sociological Reappraisal. Men and Masculinities, 8(1), p. 43. Butler, J., 1999. Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity. 1 ed. New York: Routledge. Diprosa, R., 1994. The Bodies of Women: Ethics, Embodiment and Sexual Difference. 2 ed. London: Routledge. Dowden, B., 2006. Internet Encyclopedia of Phylosophy. [Online] Available at: http://www.iep.utm.edu/fallacy/#UndistributedMiddle [Accessed 21 February 2014]. Healey, J. F., 2003. Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Class: the Sociology of Group Conflict and Change. 1 ed. New York: Taylor & Francis. Kirkpatricks, J., 2009. The Von Domarus Principle and the Nature of the Subconscious Mind. [Online] Available at: http://jerrykirkpatrick.blogspot.com/2009/01/von-domarus-principle-and-nature-of.html [Accessed 21 February 2014]. Psychology Dictionary, 2001. Psychology Dictionary. [Online] Available at: http://psychologydictionary.org/von-domarus-principle/ [Accessed 21 February 2014]. Read More