Course Discussion

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Re: Gender Differences in the Construction of the Self

From: Leah Knauf
Date: 16 Nov 1999
Time: 20:40:30
Remote Name: 137.142.37.13

Comments

In my opinion, I think that the gender characteristics of men and women are both biologically and socially constructed. I know that men and women have different levels of estrogen and testosterone which some people say explains why men tend to be more aggressive and women more passive. The truth is that men and women have both of these hormones in their bodies, but different amounts. That is why I don't really believe that the way we behave is dependent on our biological factors. I think it mainly has to do with the way we are socialized and the way we were brought up by our parents who expect us to conform to our roles of either a male or a female. Our gender roles are so socialized that we are afraid to not follow the gender roles that society says we must. If we don't, we are stigmatized and shunned because our society expects us to act a certain way if we are a boy or girl so most people think it is easiest to follow the rules of what society says they must act and dress like according to their gender.