Running head: GENDER DIFFERENCES 1
Sex and Gender Reading
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GENDER DIFFERENCES 2
Sex and Gender Reading
Reflecting on the readings connected to the subject of sex and gender, I discovered
myself thinking and analyzing various incidents from my past as well as my present. In addition,
I also gained the sense of how the definite aspects dictate who I essential to be and undertake in
the future. Based on the reading, here are three arguable ideas about sex and gender. First the
difference between gender and sex, development of gender stereotypes creation as well as the
gender identity.
Distinction between Sex and Gender
Sex and gender are two terms that are useful in providing general understanding of many
of the aspects of social life. The difference between the two terms can be considered as the main
cause of many erroneous perceptions in society. In the sense of sex, a male is a person of the
male sex and a female is a person of the female sex or of having male or female reproductive
organs. On the other hand, gender is the uttermost division into male and female in view of the
activities and impassioned the society can allow for a man or a woman. Looking back on my
childhood, I vividly recall how growing up as a female child I was especially bound by strict
gender roles. For example, boys were expected to play football, show how strong they are, and
be involved in anything that had something to do with sports. Besides, girls were led to play with
dolls with an emphasis on being involved in playing with other children in what can be regarded
as group activities like art. The experiences of my early learning determined my self-concept
formation and social roles that I gave to myself and perceived myself to possess.
In understanding the difference, one can gain a more profound sense of every mentioned
influence in terms of the sexual and gender perspectives. It has been found out that most of the
attributes and behaviors that are expected of a specific gender are in fact not genetic, but learned.
The awareness has changed my outlook to be tolerant, more so on the notion of gender, which I
now understand as more flexible than previously thought. As for the future plans, I would like to
break the stereotypical norms by standing up for the society where the people would not be
bound by gender roles. It means settings appropriate environment for females and males in
learning institutions, organizations and society, where people can discover their abilities without
prejudice of the opposite gender.
Development of Gender Roles and Stereotypes
The readings also touched on the aspect of how the gender roles is formed and its
influence on the population. Sex roles are two distinct separations of the society where each
gender is supposed to act, think, and even possess a certain personality. The roles are supported
by family socialization, education, media, and peer group socialization. Indeed, remembering the
school years, I can point to a number of situations where boys and girls were directed to do
things that aligned with the stereotyped gender expectations. Boys were encouraged to be more
aggressive and dominant in manner, whereas girls were encouraged to be more submissive and
emotional. For instance, in class activities boy children were more likely to be assigned
leadership responsibility, girl children were encouraged to duties that related to clerkship. The
reinforcements played a part in developing the idea that some characteristics and behaviors were
somehow imbedded in gender.
Learning the development of all the gender roles and stereotype was so enlightening. It
has helped me understand extent to which such norms have become rooted in our society and
how they impact on behaviors and opportunities. In the future, I am going to step up the efforts
to eliminate the stereotypes by advocating equal behaviors. Furthermore, I will embrace
enlightening others on the opportunities that should be open to various skills and interests
GENDER DIFFERENCES 3
regardless of one’s gender. For example in the workplace, I will campaign for promotion and
recruitment of women into managerial positions besides defending their rights to undergo
training to become technicians. In dealing with people, I will ensure that I actively work against
gender bias that may come to define my actions towards the opposite gender from the deep-
rooted correlative prejudices.
Concept of Gender Identity
Sexual orientation, including an understanding of gender, the latter being a concept that
identifies a person as male, female, or something else, is another topic found in the readings.
Sexual orientation is a feeling, a person's self-identification that can or cannot correspond to his
or her sex. The topic particularly hit me close to the heart because I witnessed friends and other
people I know who went through the hardships of their gender identity in communities that were
not accepting of non-binary individuals. Looking back in time, i know that one of my high
school friends later on identified as a trans-sexual. Now, during the school years, the friend did
feel uncomfortable to be pressured into the more stereotypically male roles and expectations.
Unfortunately, due to the ignorance of a social environment, they only realized who they were
and were able to celebrate it many years later. Seeing them grow has changed me in so many
ways regarding gender and, mostly, accepting everyone for who they are.
The approaches and attitudes emphasized primary necessities to identify and to accept the
gender-diverse people. It pointed out how the culture and successful environments are necessary
for the health and happiness of minorities whose gender does not meet cultural expectations. It
has energized my sensitivity to those people who do not conform to the traditional roles of male
or female. It has also highlighted the need of coming up with environments in which people can
be extrovert and non-judged based on their differences. In all my future endeavors, I will
promote policies and practices that respect and incorporate gender diversity.
Conclusion
The knowledge obtained during the reading of the texts has changed my outlook on my
previous life experiences and my strategies for the future. In analyzing the differences between
sex and gender, the emergence of genders, and gender identity, is helpful in shaping gender
stereotype. Furthermore, I shall ensure that I encourage policies of office equal respect of women
and gender diversity. It includes encouraging policies that enhance the well-being of gendered
people, contending with the cultural acknowledgment of gender, and fighting prejudices in career
and personal life. It is my desire to make the world a more tolerant place for anyone to assume a
gender identity they choose to embrace, and be able to unleash true potential.
