The Differences Between Sex And Gender - 1027 Words

A major question in social science is the difference between sex and gender. Contrary to popular belief, sex and gender are not the same. Sex is defined as biological differences that make someone a male or female. On the other hand, gender is a social arrangement that defines how to act according to sex categories (Conley 2013). According to the writer and sociology professor, Dalton Conley, gender is so deeply rooted in social construction that it may seem as a natural structure of humans’ lives. In addition, Judith Lorber, a former chair of the Sex and Gender Section of the American Sociological Association, states that gender ‘establishes patterns of expectation for individuals’ (Conley 2013). â€Å"Doing Gender,† according to Candace West and Don H. Zimmerman, is a production of our interactions and is something we are exposed to since birth (Watts 2002). The social construction of gender has created gender stratification, which refers to the distribut ion of socioeconomic resources and power on the basis of one’s gender (Risman 1998). For this study, I have taken two of my cousins to a Toy-R-Us store to see their reactions and note their gender socialization or lack of it. The word happiness could not describe the look on my two little cousins face when we walked into the Toys-R-US store. As we walked around the store aisles I asked my 6 year-old girl cousins to pick out a toy. As soon as her and an Elsa doll made eye contact she screamed â€Å"Elsa, I knew she had made herShow MoreRelatedDifferences Between Sex And Gender871 Words   |  4 PagesWith sex and gender being such a predominate factor in determining our position in society, it is difficult to hinder ourselves from distinguishing certain characteristics and attributes to be masculine (male) or feminine(female). Is is paramount to distinguish the differences between sex and gender. Sex is determined by our hormones and anatomy while gender is the social meani ngs, behaviors, and expectations attached to a given sex by society (Logg, Lecture Notes, Fall 2015). Generally speakingRead MoreGender Differences Between Gender And Sex1334 Words   |  6 Pagesmany people are constantly categorized to be confused about what their whole life and purpose is, because they cannot be placed in one of the two socially accepted gender categories- male or female. This idea or â€Å"disorder†(Medical Dictionary) is commonly known as being transgender. I do not think that there are only two categories for gender; I believe that there are people who are not considered to be only male or female, but both. Due to different religions, influences, social structures, and expectationsRead MoreDifference Between Sex and Gender1127 Words   |  5 Pagessociety, the in depth differences between sex and gender has grown to be one that is discussed extensively by psychologists and sociologists too. Sex in itself is a more scientific term that explains the in nate physical attributes of an individual. On the other hand gender carries a more social tone. Meaning, that it refers to the different clothing, activities, career choices, and positions people hold in society. This essay aims to highlight some of the key differential aspects between these two concepts;Read MoreDifference Between Sex and Gender1134 Words   |  5 Pagessociety, the in depth differences between sex and gender has grown to be one that is discussed extensively by psychologists and sociologists too. Sex in itself is a more scientific term that explains the innate physical attributes of an individual. On the other hand gender carries a more social tone. Meaning, that it refers to the different clothing, activities, career choices, and positions people hold in society. This essay aims to highlight some of the key differential aspects between these two concepts;Read MoreDifferences Between Sex And Gender Essay1151 Words   |  5 PagesThere are distinct differences bet ween Sex and Gender. Sex is divided up into two divisions, male or female, based upon their reproductive system. Gender is the notion set by society on what social behaviours are acceptable for males and females, for example the expectation that females are more caring or nurturing than men. Gender can be further divided into two subcategorise: identity and stereotype. Gender identity is the concept that your sex and gender do not have to be the same but can differentRead MoreGender Differences Between Sex And Gender911 Words   |  4 Pages Now in our generation there has been great controversy about what gender you are and what kind of love you believe in. One thing many people fail to realize is that your gender and your designated sex are two completely different things. Not only is there that divide between sex and gender but there is pre-determined rules that everyone is expected to follow that is connected to their specific gender. Because gender is an ever-changing thing for some there needs to be the support for those wishingRead MoreDifferences Between Sex And Gender1498 Words   |  6 Pagespeople tend to confuse between sex and gender thinking that they’re the same thing. Sex is the two main categories of male and female into which humans and most other living things are biologically divided in. Gender however, is the state of being male or female and typically used with reference to social and cultural differences rather than biological ones. Children in the same family have different experiences in their interactions with their mothers and fathers. Such differences may teach childrenRead MoreDifference Between Sex And Gender2324 Words   |  10 PagesDifference Between Sex and Gender and How They Can Define Us A topic that has been heavily discussed throughout this course is the difference between sex and gender. For past several centuries the word gender has been used particularly as a substitute for sex and vice versa. It has proven to be quite a useful term in the past, however, distinctions between the terms sex and gender, in instances where one word would be more proper to use than the other, have not been fully recognized. In most instancesRead MoreDifferences Between Sex And Gender2408 Words   |  10 PagesThis essay will navigate the differences between sex and gender through definition and discourse. First I will discuss sex with reference to biology, what it means to possess the parts of a man and of a woman. Within this context I will address intersex people and will examine transgenderism. I will then explore and identify gender through a discussion of Gender Identity Disorder (GID) associated with transgenderism touching briefly on the construction of gender roles. The pape r will criticallyRead MoreThe Difference Between Sex and Gender743 Words   |  3 PagesIn today s society sex and gender seem to have two separate connotative meanings. Sex is a more scientific term that explains physical traits and sexual preferences. Gender carries a more social tone. Meaning that it refers to the different clothing, activities, career choices, and positions people hold in society. A person s social status helps separate or classify the two sexes. brbrSex is the total sum of physical characteristics that distinguish males and females from each other. The most