Biological, psychological, and social constructions of gender identity

Gendered Society: Gender and Sociology

Biological Arguments Gender

Biological arguments supporting gender suggest that gender is a biological or inborn quality that people are born with. Many groups including homosexuals support the idea that people are born into a particular gender. The primary argument supporting biological theories is that men and woman are different anatomically or physically and therefore exhibit different traits or tendencies that comprise gender (Kimmel, 2000). Further, biological theorists argue that biology provides man the basic components or "materials" needed to create their identity based on physiological components in the body (Kimmel, 45).

Kimmel points out that biological theorists suggest that biology provides mankind the "blocks" or foundation they need to build create and form their identity through experiences (Kimmel, 46). According to biological theory sex is "preprogrammed" into man's biology thus inborn or biological differences exist in man's behavior and activity (Kimmel, 47).

Psychological Theories of Gender

Psychological theories suggest that gender differences result from psychological or mental differences rather than biological ones. Psychological theorists tend to suggest or argue that it is individual person's interpretations of life and one's concepts or interpretation of what makes someone masculine or feminine that creates gender differences (Kimmel, 2000).

Kimmel cites Freud as a leading psychological theorist suggesting that gender is something that people shape and form by "interacting" with their environment and with other people (Kimmel, 67). Psychological theorists would also argue that people undergo changes psychologically over time that can alter their associated gender identity.

Socially Constructed Gender Theories and Gender as a Social Institution

Kimmel supports the notion that gender is a social institution, or something that is socially constructed. He cites evidence from multiple researchers including Mead who noted differing cultures in New Guinea influenced tribal members interpretation of their role as masculine and feminine (Kimmel, 2000). Other theorists suggest that mankind can influence one another to behave in a gender specific manner based on socially constructed factors rather than biological or psychological imperatives. The socially constructed theory suggests that mankind is capable of creating their own gender identity and reality by identifying with certain cultural norms, values and beliefs (Kimmel, 2000).

Kimmel suggests that gender is not something that someone is born with but rather is a social institution that people create as a result of interaction, beliefs and values. Gender is an institution that people either widely accept as one way or another. Within any given society there are cultural norms that people identify with and that help shape their behaviors, values and beliefs. Gender differences thus can be easily created as an institution and can be representative of inequality when that inequality is supported or constructed by society at large (Kimmel, 2000). Kimmel suggests that inequalities are created as norms and arise within relationships, within families and even in the workplace or any other environment in which people work intimately (Kimmel, 2000).

Because gender is an institution according to Kimmel certain behaviors or actions are easily identified and labeled as appropriate or wrong (such as homosexuality) (Kimmel, 2000). If people adopt and follow social norms they will enjoy all the benefits associated with accepting the institution of gender correctly. When they do something incorrectly however people can expect to face resistance.

Six Degrees of Separation

In Six Degrees of Separation one easily identifies with the concept of gender as an institution or socially constructed variable. In this work the author helps show through the main character Paul how people can become trapped into behaving in a manner that goes against their natural identity based primarily on socially constructed institutions and pressures (Kleinfeld, 2002). The work also shows how gender is influenced by mankind's obsession with his status and role in society, and that this concern over how one will be accepted and interpreted by others can influence ones gender and identity (Kleinfeld, 2002).

The main character Paul chances his identity multiple times in the work and moves between varying identities based on the relationships he creates and the responses he receives from those he is interacting with (Napierkowski, 2005). Paul easily shows how members of society can contribute to ones sense of acceptance and how societal influences more often than not contribute to inequality and disparity (Napierkowski, 2005). In the film Paul's colleagues and associates play more of a role in his identity development than psychological or biological influences.

Gender in Six Degrees of Separation is described as something that people can do based on the manner in which they are socialized into society. Paul creates his own gender multiple times or 'does' gender in the manner he sees most fit to help promote his personal interests and well-being. Mankind has often done the same throughout history. Man according to Kimmel (2000) is a product of his or her experiences, interactions and relationships. The manner in which one interprets life events and engages in social interactions based on cultural and social norms and one's acceptance of these norms helps shape and creates ones identity.

This socializing process occurs during childhood and continues through ones adult life and an individual meets and interacts with different people and shapes his or her identity based on socially accepted norms, principles and one's interpretation of specific events and circumstances.