To what extent do you agree that gender is a social activity and not an innate quality, something we “do” rather than something we “are”? Explain.

We agree that gender is indeed something we “do” rather than something we “are”. From the article, gender refers to the psychological, social and cultural differences between males and females. The extent of femininity and masculinity in a person is largely dependent on the environment and culture he or she has been living in. These factors are largely responsible in influencing a person’s femininity and masculinity. For instance, if a girl grows up in a family full of boys, she will indubitably be affected and influenced by boys in her family. Hence, the girl might tend to show more masculine than feminine characteristics, like an interest in cars. Though expectations such as the aggression of males and gentleness of females may differ between cultures, the fact that there is a typical, stereotyped behaviour of men and women (as defined by their sex, i.e. physical differences) is evident in cultures all around the world. For example, when Jan Morris was a man, he was treated with ‘respectful seriousness’. However, after his sex change, Jan Morris was treated with ‘grave concern’. From James Morris’, a ‘manly’ woman who went for a sex change, experiences, people treat one another differently, simply based on the sex of the person.

Gender identity forms from the day a person is born; it is already in him or her. Parents treat their children differently depending on their sex. From the article, boys are given war toys and girls are given dolls. Girls, unlike boys, were treated much more affectionately as parents smiled to them more often. By conforming to this stereotype, this anchors the roots of one's gender identity. In many societies, the males are the sole breadwinner of a family while the females take on the role as housewives. This Chinese custom is practised for centuries throughout generations, emphasising that the males are more able than the females. So far, all the Singapore ministers are males, proving once again that males are more capable than females. Hence, the gender identity is created by the actions of mankind. Fortunately, such differences are beginning to vanish from the society as the new generation are increasingly influenced by the western cultures which promotes equality between the opposite sexes.

Inez, Bryan, Charlene and Isis
09S03K