Social Construction of Gender

Feminist/Gender Theory

The Social Construction of Gender Theory

• Men and women are actively involved in constructing their own gendered identities.
• We adopt different masculinity and femininity practices depending on our situations and beliefs.
• Our understandings of gender are dynamic- changing over time with maturity, experience, and reflection.
• We are active in constructing our own gender identities- but we are limited to the options and influences of those around us.

The ideology of gender determines...

• What is expected of us
• What is allowed of us
• What is valued in us

The manifestation of gender difference can be found in the construction of...

• Roles (what women and men do)
• Relations (how women and men relate to each other)
• Identity (how women and men perceive themselves)

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