Theories of gender identity formation suggest gender is socially constructed in children. Butler proposed that gender is inescapable and that subjectification is required to participate in human culture (as cited in Wells, 2009, p. 51). While gender performativity focuses on a socially constructed outward portrayal of gender, gender reproduction theory focuses on how social norms reproduce inequalities between men and women in society, and gender socialization theory focuses on societal influences upon gender. In this paper, I compare the central concepts of gender performativity theory with gender reproduction and gender socialization theories. I also suggest that gender socialization theory is the most compelling for gender identity formation.
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Gender reproduction’s central concept is habitus where groups in society have certain values and expectations that are learned through gender experience. These experiences reinforce gender based opportunities and constraints. In the article, Differences in Children’s Construction of Gender Across Culture by Aydt and Corsaro (2003), there is evidence that gender can be reproduced through children’s play and their peer relations. The article argued that play styles are different for boys and girls because of their gender. Aydt and Corsaro (2003) found that boys’ play was comprised of aggressive and physical actions where girls’ play was comprised of verbal negotiations and domesticity (p.1309). Given this example, we can see that gender reproduction, boys and girls acting in their socially constructed gender roles, is similar to gender performativity “boying” and …show more content…
49). Contrary to this view, Butler supported West and Zimmerman’s (1987) idea that “gender is not merely something that happens in the nooks and crannies of interaction” (as cited in Wells, 2009, p. 51). Gender performativity and gender socialization are both about gender roles. Males and females have different social roles in society and in the way they perform themselves. Women value appearance and usually have a role of domesticity while males value efficaciousness and usually have a role of domination. These two theories are similar in the way that people socialize themselves to fit into a society where gender roles are important. However, unlike gender performativity, gender socialization is something that people learn through
Gender reproduction’s central concept is habitus where groups in society have certain values and expectations that are learned through gender experience. These experiences reinforce gender based opportunities and constraints. In the article, Differences in Children’s Construction of Gender Across Culture by Aydt and Corsaro (2003), there is evidence that gender can be reproduced through children’s play and their peer relations. The article argued that play styles are different for boys and girls because of their gender. Aydt and Corsaro (2003) found that boys’ play was comprised of aggressive and physical actions where girls’ play was comprised of verbal negotiations and domesticity (p.1309). Given this example, we can see that gender reproduction, boys and girls acting in their socially constructed gender roles, is similar to gender performativity “boying” and …show more content…
49). Contrary to this view, Butler supported West and Zimmerman’s (1987) idea that “gender is not merely something that happens in the nooks and crannies of interaction” (as cited in Wells, 2009, p. 51). Gender performativity and gender socialization are both about gender roles. Males and females have different social roles in society and in the way they perform themselves. Women value appearance and usually have a role of domesticity while males value efficaciousness and usually have a role of domination. These two theories are similar in the way that people socialize themselves to fit into a society where gender roles are important. However, unlike gender performativity, gender socialization is something that people learn through