Social Construction of Space and Gender - Essay Example

Social Construction of Space and Gender Introduction The society has developed specific beliefs, notions and attitudes in regard to space, the body and gender. It is argued that space protects the body. For instance, individuals consider specific areas to be their personal space. These are marked as territories, into which not anybody can intrude. However, there are some spaces, such as public beaches, in which the personal space of individuals is limited (McLaren 16). The issue of gender plays a leading role in determining the notions of individuals about personal and public spaces (Scott 123). Within the paper, the socially constructed arrangements which make men to be viewed differently from their female counterparts are analyzed. Additionally, the social construction of space in relation to gender is explored. The interdependence of bodies and space is also assessed. The thesis of this paper is based on the hypothesis that space is linked to specific gender identities. Therefore the paper aims to demonstrate that the perceptions, body techniques and gazes of individuals have resulted in the development of gender specific construction of space. Public Space and Gender Beaches are examples of public spaces, which often symbolize the western culture and society. This is attributed to the high level of social expression which characterizes these places. Even though the beaches are public spaces, the body language and techniques of individuals within these spaces are altered. This is due to the innate need to preserve personal space and the socially constructed values on gender. In general, the beach is a public space within which the body finds greater freedom to break the social norms and polices. It is on the basis of these illustrations that this public space is ideal in investigating how individuals construct space and gender (Knowlton 120). Researchers have conducted empirical studies on the manner in which the two gender identities display their bodies within beaches and other public space. From these studies, the display of bodies is less limited. Nonetheless, every gaze on the body within the beach is highly monitored. This is due to the fact that they are specific notions, which allow people to preserve private space even in public places (Gallop 10). For instance, a topless woman at a beach would take offense if someone stares at her for a long duration within a beach. This is regardless of the fact that she is within a public space. The construction of the female gender in both private and public spaces often leads to some sort of excitement (Colomina and Jennifer 36). For instance, the bodily expression of the female gender within a public beach, such as sunbathing, is often considered to be erotic content. Because of the consciousness of personal space even within a public place, a woman who comes to a beach is more likely to inspect her surroundings before any form of bodily expression is exhibited (Chinkin and Mary 168). Space and gender are important factors in human perception, which are used in decision making before the expression of specific bodily techniques or behaviors (Scott 129). A woman at the beach will determine if there would be any concerns and problems before she can expose her body. Individuals within a public beach engage in specific bodily expressions and techniques, which is not likely to express the gazing culture, which characterize these public spaces (Knowlton 124). Even within public spaces, individuals often mark their privacy zone (McLaren 19). The respect for personal space causes individuals within public spaces to become conscious of their bodily techniques (Chinkin and Mary 172). The type of body an individual has also affects the manner of bodily expression. Individuals with perceived firm and fit bodies are more likely to express themselves more freely within a public beach. The consciousness of women about their body and the perceptions of others within a public place may cause expression of specific body techniques, which are aimed at promoting privacy (Gallop 13). Normally, a gaze towards an individual’s private zone within a public beach is not expressive or fixed. This is due to the fact that social construction of space and gender develops specific attitudes and behaviors, which aim at preserving the privacy of others (Price 14). Because of the social construction of gender and space, people within public places, such as the beach, are aware of the individuals that they can comfortably sit with or remove their clothes without changing bodily position. There are intimate spheres within beaches, which are often occupied by couples and it is considered an offense to stare or approach these spaces (Chinkin and Mary 169). This is attributed to the fact that personal space is constructed in line with the social norms which relate to the two gender identities (Colomina and Jennifer 38). Perceptions on Space and Gender The conscious and unconscious understanding of gender and space is attributed to the perceptions that people develop on these issues (Scott 134). There are specific notions and perceptions on what is considered to be “correct” seeing and gazing into an individual’s private space. This is due to the reality that there is no absolute space, which is preserved by an individual, especially in public places (Gallop 11). People develop specific body techniques through which they can access the personal space of others without raising eyebrows (Price 33). In line with this illustration, it is evident that there are apparent perceptions which relate to the construction of gender and space. Social cultural and religious beliefs and values play a role in the manner in which people perceive gender and space (McLaren 35). A conservative culture or beliefs are likely to offer more space. The recommended proximity between people of different gender identities varies from one culture to another (Colomina and Jennifer 15). For instance, the western cultures consider close proximity between genders in bodily expressions, such as kissing and hugging, to be normal. In this sense, the perceptions of the western culture on gender and space are different from other cultures. In the eastern cultures, personal space is often respected. Therefore bodily expressions, such as kissing may be considered absurd in public places. Nonetheless, the intimate space between couples within the confines of their homes may not be demarcated by boundaries. Gender and Space Arrangements The gender difference as it regards to space is constructed within culturally motivate perceptions (Scott 133). For example, space has traditionally been associated with the female gender and the female body (Knowlton 130). Even though the need for private space affects both gender identities, it has been associated with the needs to preserve the privacy of female bodies. This gendered approach to the construction of space has been opposed significantly by feminists (Gallop 20). The arrangements space and gender depict an association of space, heart, body and belly with women, while on the other hand men are associated with mind, activity and time (Price 29). This illustrates that the body of a man is viewed in line with his head only. The notion of activity and movement that is constructed in perception of men makes them to be viewed differently from their female counterparts regardless of the fact that the two gender identities are interdependent (Colomina and Jennifer 43). On the basis of these arrangements, women are perceived as being passive. The cultural association between the female body and space is attributed to the negative perceptions on the objectification of the female body, which characterize the modern media (McLaren 22). The arrangement of these perceptions have resulted in a situation where men are considered to gaze towards the private space of women, while the women are regarded as the objects that are often gazed at, but not the other way round (Scott 128). These gendered arrangements have however not put into consideration that women can adopt the gazing regardless of its association to men. Additionally, the gendered and space arrangements do not take into consideration of the emerging gender identities, such as heterosexual matrix and the dual gender (Colomina and Jennifer 41). The gender and space arrangements have allocated specific attributes, such as beauty to the female body. As a result, men are seen as the group that tends to gaze at the private space of women in order to appreciate the beauty that is embodied in their bodies (Colomina and Jennifer 36). It is apparent that the arrangement of gender and space are attributed to the categorization of men as the desiring group, while women are considered to be the desired. It is however notable that these arrangements are fading within the contemporary society. For instance, men are being represented more frequently within women’s magazines. Women are therefore engaging in the evaluation, analysis and description of the male body. The perceptions of the gender and space are therefore likely to change in the future (Gallop 18). Fading of the gender and space arrangements and perceptions will result in gender convergence. This means that the power which was associated with the male gaze and intrusion of the female space would also be possessed by women (Price 31). The feminist movements are examples of attempts that are geared towards the change of societal perceptions on the two gender identities. These movements advocate for equality and convergence of male and female roles within the society. The shifting of the socially constructed arrangements on gender and space is also related to increased social awareness and access to equal education and social opportunities. The position of power, space and gender is would therefore yield the same results for both women and men (Scott 127). The new perceptions are attributed to the changes in cultural values, which have emanated from the diverse and globalized society. It is however notable that there are some societies which are more conservative than others and therefore the changes in perceptions and notions on gender and space may not take place uniformly (McLaren 32). Conclusion In line with the above essay, it is evident that the social construction of the society, cultural values and notions are attributed to the different arrangements on space and gender. The body is often protected by a defined space. This is the reason why people tend to define a private zone even within a public place. The social construction of gender and space is held within both the subconscious and conscious levels of cognition or thought. The need for private space becomes conscious when specific body behaviors need to be expressed in public. With the feminist campaigns and debates, equal access to social and economic opportunities and cultural integration, the perceptions, body techniques and power that are associated with gender and space would converge. Works Cited Chinkin, Christine, and Mary, Kaldor. "Gender and New Wars." Journal of International Affairs 67.1 (2013): 167-187. Colomina, Beatriz, and Jennifer, Bloomer. Sexuality & Space. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 1992. Print. Gallop, Jane. Anecdotal Theory. Durham: Duke University Press, 2002. Print. Knowlton, Paul. "The Social Construction of Space and Gender." European Journal of Womens Studies 13.2 (2006): 119-133 McLaren, Margaret A. Feminism, Foucault, and Embodied Subjectivity. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press, 2002. Print Price, Janet. Feminist Theory and the Body: A Reader. Edinburgh: Edinburgh Univ. Press, 2008. Print. Scott, Susie. "Reclothing the Emperor: The Swimming Pool as a Negotiated Order." Symbolic Interaction 32.2 (2009): 123-145 Read More