Gender identity is a conception of self as either being masculine or feminine. In the society, gender is constructed basing on a person’s physiology, behavior, and the general outward expression of personality (Carter 4). In fact, gender has been adopted as a means of distinguishing between socialized aspects of masculinity and femininity. From early childhood, a person gender is simply defined by their biological differences. However, as children grow the people around associate or assign them an identity depending on whether the child is a boy or girl. Many decisions such as career choices are influenced by how the society views gender. Therefore, depending on whether one is male or female, the profession chosen will be influenced by the
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Due to how the society perceives men and women, certain roles have been allocated entirely on a specific gender. For many years, a number of professions have been identified as masculine. As a result women who try to enter into the field are met with hostility and find theyare alone or left out. The environment discourages them from prospering in what they want in life and they become depressed or may even abandon the profession altogether. Association of careers as either masculine of feminine becomes rooted in the minds of children subconsciously affecting their career …show more content…
Greer argues that boys are fed the myth that boys should be strong and resolute, capable of defending women and children (67). Men were expected to hunt to provide for their families.The responsibility of teaching masculinity also lies upon men. Greer explains that this is the reason why young men are always in competition to prove who is better than the other (66). Therefore, traditions have always shaped men to develop masculine features. It is possible that women would develop masculine features if brought up in the same way as men. From this argument, identity in the society is largely shaped by how society treats us. Therefore, gender does determine the role people play but it is the society that assigns an individual gender roles based on their sex. The people we grow up around send non-verbal messages about gender roles. Children who have grown up being taught by women end up associating teaching as a woman’s career.Since gender roles are mostly determined by the society, an individual identity has already been defined within the set standards. The result is the child grows having limited options on the career and profession they will take in future.
Due to how the society perceives men and women, certain roles have been allocated entirely on a specific gender. For many years, a number of professions have been identified as masculine. As a result women who try to enter into the field are met with hostility and find theyare alone or left out. The environment discourages them from prospering in what they want in life and they become depressed or may even abandon the profession altogether. Association of careers as either masculine of feminine becomes rooted in the minds of children subconsciously affecting their career …show more content…
Greer argues that boys are fed the myth that boys should be strong and resolute, capable of defending women and children (67). Men were expected to hunt to provide for their families.The responsibility of teaching masculinity also lies upon men. Greer explains that this is the reason why young men are always in competition to prove who is better than the other (66). Therefore, traditions have always shaped men to develop masculine features. It is possible that women would develop masculine features if brought up in the same way as men. From this argument, identity in the society is largely shaped by how society treats us. Therefore, gender does determine the role people play but it is the society that assigns an individual gender roles based on their sex. The people we grow up around send non-verbal messages about gender roles. Children who have grown up being taught by women end up associating teaching as a woman’s career.Since gender roles are mostly determined by the society, an individual identity has already been defined within the set standards. The result is the child grows having limited options on the career and profession they will take in future.