QUESTION
Introduction of Sociology
* What does gender expression refer to? What purpose does it serve? Provide an example of gender expression.
* Distinguish between essentialist and constructivist arguments? How do each view gender? Why do sociologists rely on the latter?
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| Subject | Sociology | Pages | 2 | Style | APA |
|---|
Answer
Introduction of Sociology
Gender Expression and the Purpose it Serves
Gender expression refers to how an individual outwardly shows their gender identity through behavior and outward appearances that include dressing, hairstyles, body language, voice, makeup, and social expression regarding names and pronoun choices that attribute to masculinity or femininity. Through gender expression, an individual can be identified as male or female.
Gender expression is an essential aspect of self-identity that contributes to an individual's mental and emotional health. An individual who expresses him or herself has better health that gives them balance in his or her mental and emotional health.
Example of Gender Expression.
An individual through gender expression can either be masculine, feminine, or androgynous.
Difference between Essentialist and Constructivist Arguments
Essentialism argues on what it means to have an identity; thus, society and organizations surrounding society, such as social norms and social institutions like gender and sexuality, emerge from biology and the world's natural state.
Constructivism, on the other hand, denotes individuals asking how individuals arrive at particular identities; therefore, norms and institutions such as gender and marriage are created by society. Thus, such institutions have no meaning outside of social interactions with one another. Consequently, constructivism is denoted by definitions of social institutions and norms such as gender and marriage.
How Each Argument Views Gender
Essentialists consider that the biology of one as either male or female determines one’s gender. Out of essentialism, there are no other definitions that do not constitute an individual being male or female.
In comparison, constructivists believe that there is no inherent truth to gender and social expectations and performance only construct that gender.
Why sociologists rely on the latter
Sociologists prefer constructivism to essentialism because sociology is studying social life, change, and social causes; therefore, sociologists can understand human development in social situations by interacting with others through constructivism.