Is Gender a Social Construct? in 7 Minutes

Summary

In this video, Thought Monkey delves into the nature vs. nurture debate surrounding gender, exploring both the biological and sociocultural perspectives. The script discusses the historical understanding of gender, its fluidity, and the influence of hormones and societal norms on behavior. It also touches on the experiences of transgender individuals and the case of David Reimer, emphasizing the complexity of gender identity. The video concludes by questioning the need for multiple gender classifications and suggests finding common ground between biological and social factors.

Takeaways

• 🤔 The debate on whether gender is a social construct or a biological fact involves both nature and nurture perspectives.
• 🗣️ Feminists often argue that societal conditioning, such as expectations and stereotypes, shapes gender roles more than biology.
• 🏋️‍♂️ The script points out that societal pressures, like men lifting weights and consuming protein, contribute to physical differences between genders.
• 🧬 Biological differences, such as the effects of testosterone and estrogen, are highlighted as key factors in gender identity and behavior.
• 🌐 Cultural differences in gender norms are used as evidence that gender roles are not universal but are socially constructed.
• 💬 Language is seen as a tool that shapes our understanding of gender, with phrases reinforcing traditional gender roles.
• 🧠 The script discusses the idea that exposure to certain hormones during development can influence behavior and gender identity.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The case of David Reimer illustrates the complexity of gender identity, showing that social pressures do not always align with an individual's felt gender.
• 🤝 The video suggests that acknowledging both biological and social influences on gender can lead to a more nuanced and inclusive understanding.
• 🍽️ The presenter humorously concludes by suggesting that focusing on the practical aspects of life, rather than gender labels, might be more beneficial.

Q & A

What is the main argument presented in the script regarding the strength difference between men and women?

The script argues that while societal conditioning, such as men lifting weights and consuming protein, contributes to strength differences, there are also inherent biological differences between men and women that should be acknowledged.

How does the script define the term 'gender'?

Gender is defined as a term used to differentiate between biological sex and the psychological, social, cultural, and behavioral characteristics associated with being female or male.

What is the nature vs. nurture debate as it pertains to gender?

The nature vs. nurture debate in the context of gender asks whether it is our environment (nurture) or our biology (nature) that primarily shapes our gender identity and behavior.

What are some examples of cultural differences in gender norms mentioned in the script?

The script mentions subcultures in India that identify three genders and beliefs in Chile where certain tasks are associated with channeling another gender.

How do the authors Candace West and Don Zimmerman view gender according to the script?

West and Zimmerman view gender as 'an emergent feature of social situations' that serves as an outcome of, rationale for, and means of legitimating social arrangements and divisions.

What is the argument that language forms our reality in relation to gender?

The argument is that terms like 'man' and 'woman' are limited in describing the full spectrum of human experiences and that phrases like 'be a man' or 'boys don't cry' pressure individuals into conforming to traditional gender roles.

What is the script's stance on the influence of hormones on gender behavior?

The script suggests that exposure to testosterone and estrogen can lead to inherent behavioral differences, citing studies that show distinct behaviors in male and female babies when presented with different stimuli.

How does the script address the experiences of transgender individuals in relation to the nature vs. nurture debate?

The script includes the perspective of transgender individuals who feel a biological connection to a gender opposite of their sex, suggesting that their experiences challenge the idea that gender is solely a social construct.

What is the David Reimer case and how does it relate to the discussion on gender identity?

David Reimer was a boy whose circumcision went wrong and was raised as a girl named Brenda. Despite social pressures, Brenda identified as male and changed back to David, illustrating the complexity of gender identity beyond social conditioning.

What is the script's conclusion on the differences between men and women?

The script concludes that there are both biological and socially constructed differences between men and women, suggesting that acknowledging these differences can lead to a more harmonious understanding of gender.

What is the script's suggestion for simplifying the conversation around gender?

The script humorously suggests simplifying the conversation by using a single term like 'ale' for all genders, but ultimately encourages accepting the complexity of gender and focusing on more important matters.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 Exploring the Nature vs. Nurture Debate on Gender

The script begins with a personal anecdote about the narrator's childhood debates with his sister, a feminist, about the biological differences between men and women. It delves into the broader discussion of whether gender is a social construct or a product of biology. The narrator introduces the debate by highlighting the different perspectives: feminists often emphasize societal conditioning, while naturists focus on biological differences. The video aims to explore both sides to reach a balanced conclusion. Historically, gender has been used to distinguish between biological sex and the psychological, social, and cultural traits associated with being male or female. Recent social science suggests that gender identity is not fixed and can change over time, leading to the recognition of various gender identities beyond the binary. The debate is framed within the classic nature vs. nurture dichotomy, questioning whether environment or biology shapes our identities. The paragraph concludes by listing arguments that support the social construct theory of gender, such as cultural variations in gender norms and the influence of language on shaping our understanding of gender.

05:03

🧠 The Impact of Biology on Gender Identity

The second paragraph continues the exploration of gender by presenting arguments that support the biological basis of gender. It discusses how exposure to hormones like testosterone and estrogen can influence behavior, citing studies that show differences in the behavior of male and female infants. The paragraph also touches on the experiences of transgender individuals who feel a disconnect between their assigned sex and their internal sense of gender, suggesting that gender identity may have a biological component. The case of David Reimer, who was raised as a girl after a botched circumcision and later identified as male, is used to illustrate the complexity of gender identity and the potential limitations of social conditioning. The narrator argues that while society and environment play roles in shaping behavior, biological differences between the sexes are significant and should be acknowledged. The paragraph concludes with a call for a nuanced understanding of gender that recognizes both biological and social influences, and a humorous suggestion to simplify gender classifications, ending on a light note about the importance of focusing on more pressing matters in life.

Keywords

💡Feminist

A feminist is someone who supports equal rights and opportunities for women. In the script, the sister is described as an avid feminist, suggesting she is actively engaged in advocating for gender equality. The discussion of societal pressures and biological differences is framed through her perspective, highlighting the video's exploration of gender roles and identities.

💡Socially Conditioned

The term 'socially conditioned' refers to behaviors or characteristics that are learned or adopted due to societal influences rather than inherent traits. The script uses this concept to argue that societal expectations can influence physical strength, suggesting that men are not inherently stronger than women but are perceived as such due to cultural norms and practices.

💡Biological Sex

Biological sex refers to the classification of living beings, including humans, into two sexes—male and female—based on their reproductive organs and functions. The script distinguishes between biological sex and gender, emphasizing that while sex is determined by biology, gender encompasses a broader set of characteristics that can be influenced by both nature and nurture.

💡Gender Identity

Gender identity is a person's internal sense of being male, female, or something else. The script discusses how some social scientists view gender identity as fluid and not fixed, challenging the traditional binary understanding of gender. This concept is central to the video's exploration of the nature versus nurture debate in gender formation.

💡Cis-gender

Cis-gender refers to individuals whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth. The script mentions cis-gender as one of the many classifications that have emerged to describe different gender identities, reflecting the video's aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the spectrum of gender identities.

💡Transgender

Transgender is a term used to describe individuals whose gender identity does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth. The script includes transgender as part of the broader discussion on gender diversity, highlighting the video's commitment to exploring a range of perspectives on gender identity.

💡Gender Fluid

Gender fluid refers to a gender identity that may change over time or vary in different contexts. The script's mention of gender fluidity contributes to the video's portrayal of gender as a spectrum with multiple possibilities, rather than a rigid binary.

💡Nature vs. Nurture

The nature versus nurture debate is a long-standing discussion in various fields about whether certain aspects of behavior are a product of either inherited (nature) or acquired (nurture) influences. The script uses this debate to frame the arguments for and against the social construction of gender, suggesting that both biological and environmental factors play a role in shaping gender identity.

💡Testosterone and Estrogen

Testosterone and estrogen are sex hormones that play a significant role in the development of secondary sexual characteristics. The script references these hormones to argue that biological factors can influence behavior, with the suggestion that exposure to different levels of these hormones can lead to different behavioral outcomes based on sex.

💡Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia is a genetic disorder in which the adrenal glands do not function properly, potentially leading to an excess of male hormones in females. The script uses CAH as an example of how biological factors can lead to variations in gender identity, even when societal pressures might suggest otherwise.

💡Sexual Selection

Sexual selection is a concept in evolutionary biology that explains how certain traits evolve because they increase an organism's chances of attracting a mate. The script alludes to sexual selection to explain why there might be fewer sexual partners for women due to the historical consequences of choosing the wrong mate, illustrating how evolutionary pressures can influence gendered behaviors.

Highlights

The debate over whether gender differences are socially constructed or biologically innate is a complex one.

Gender is differentiated from biological sex, referring to the psychological, social, cultural, and behavioral characteristics associated with being female or male.

Some social scientists argue that gender identity is not fixed and can vary over time, influenced by social constructs.

The existence of multiple gender classifications in different cultures challenges the idea of a binary gender system.

Academics Candace West and Don Zimmerman view gender as an emergent feature of social situations, legitimating societal divisions.

Language plays a significant role in shaping our understanding of gender, with phrases like 'be a man' or 'boys don't cry' influencing behavior.

Biological factors such as exposure to testosterone and estrogen are argued to inherently influence behavior and interests.

Studies show that male and female babies exhibit different behaviors in response to stimuli, suggesting innate differences.

The case of individuals with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia illustrates how biological factors can influence gender identity.

Transgender individuals' experiences challenge the social construct theory, as some feel a gender identity opposite to their assigned sex at birth.

The story of David Reimer, who was raised as a girl after a botched circumcision, demonstrates the complexity of gender identity.

Societies often follow biological differences, such as the number of sexual partners, due to evolutionary pressures.

Hormonal differences between males and females are believed to affect brain function and behavior.

The idea of simplifying gender classifications is proposed as an alternative to the increasing number of gender terms.

The video concludes with a call for acknowledging both biological and social factors in gender identity and moving beyond the debate.

Transcripts

When I was a kid I used to try and get my sister – an avid feminist at the time - to

react to comments like “In general men are stronger than women.”

It would usually work and my short lived laugh turned into an hour long argument.

She always said that men are just socially conditioned to be stronger than women.

And while I never argued against the fact that society pressures certain groups of people

into doing certain things, for example men lifting weights, eating mouths full of whey

protein, and injecting themselves with male hormones – making them stronger, I also

would argue that the biology between men and women is different, just look at our bodies

for one – as much as I would love to have a set of fun bags on my chest to play with

– it just would never happen without the injection of female hormones or plastic surgery.

You see one of the problems with the question of whether or not gender is socially constructed

is that the people who answer it most passionately generally overlook the arguments on the opposing

sides.

Feminists tend to disregard many biological factors, while naturists tend to overlook

sociocultural factors.

Hello everyone.

Thought Monkey here.

Today we are going to explore both sides of the argument and try to come to some kind

of conclusion for all to embrace.

First some history and background.

Gender is a term that was created as a way to differentiate between biological sex – whether

or not you have an Italian Salami or a hooha – versus the psychological, social, cultural

and behavioral characteristics associated with being female or male.

In recent years many social scientists have begun to believe that gender identity is not

a stable and fixed trait.

They argue that it is socially constructed and can vary over time.

Some have even argued that there are more than two genders and have created additional

classifications by using terms such as cis-gender, transgender, gender queer, non-binary, gender

fluid, agender, etc.

Anyways, the two competing ideas about whether gender is a social construct come from the

familiar nature vs. nurture debate.

In other words, is it our environment that makes us who we are or our biology?

Those who say gender is a social construct often argue the following:

1.

There are differences in gender norms in different cultures.

For example there are subcultures in India that identify three genders.

And in Chile some believe you must channel another gender to accomplish certain tasks.

The list goes on.

According to the academics Candace West and Don Zimmerman gender is “an emergent feature

of social situations: both as an outcome of and a rationale for various social arrangements,

and as a means of legitimating one of the most fundamental divisions of society" (West

& Zimmerman, 1977, p. 126).

By the way I looked up Candace West on Rate My Professor and she only got a 2.1 out of

5.

Would you eat at a restaurant that got such a low Yelp score?

I don’t think so.

Old Donny didn’t do much better.

2.

Language forms our reality.

The words man and woman are simply words to describe certain phenomena, but don’t describe

every option or experience of all people in our culture.

Phrases like “be a man” or “boys don’t cry” are used to pressure boys into conforming

to traditional masculine gender roles while “run like a girl” and other women-centered

phrases pressure girls into behaving in a way that is considered traditionally feminine.

Others say that gender is a feature of nature, not nurture.

They say: 1.

Being exposed to testosterone and estrogen will make the way we behave inherently different.

For example, there are studies that show male babies and female babies behave differently

given different stimulus.

Male babies tend to stare longer at mechanic objects while female babies tend to stare

longer at faces which may explain why women and men tend to find themselves in different

career paths –men often gravitate toward science and engineering while women toward

health care and education.

3.

The reason some women and men identify as a gender opposite of their sex is because

sometimes nature has hiccups.

For example some female fetuses are exposed to large quantities of male hormones and develop

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia – a fancy term for a disease that may alter the sex

organs of people.

Also, there are members of the trans-community that believe gender is biological.

Some transwomen have stated that while they were brought into this world as men, from

the get go they felt biologically that they were women, and thus behaved as a woman.

Their argument is that if gender was socially constructed, then as a boy who felt like a

girl they would have been socially pressured into feeling like boys.

However, despite being socially pressured into feeling like boys these transgender women

have always felt like women despite their sex being male.

4.

A boy named David Reimar whose circumcision went horribly wrong, was given sex reassignment

surgery as a 22 month year old and was raised as a girl named Brenda.

Brenda was given girl toys, but always seemed to gravitate toward more traditionally boy

toys.

Eventually as a teenager she expressed her suicidal thoughts to her parents, and her

father told her what had happened.

Despite the female hormones and socialized pressures to be a girl, Brenda identified

as a male and changed her name back to David when she was 14.

Years later David started treatment to reverse the reassignment given to him as a 22 month

year old and married a woman.

Unfortunately years later after battling with a failed marriage and depression, at 38 years

old he killed himself.

This shows that despite the social pressures of David’s parents and doctors to identify

as a girl – he still felt like a boy.

5.

Men and women are inherently equal, but differ in biology.

The environment and society play a part in how we behave – like how boys are given

blue and girls pink as babies – but most research shows that biology is the reason

there are major differences in how each gender behaves.

Because of this, society follows biology, not the other way around.

Women have less sexual partners because there have been more severe consequences for choosing

the wrong mate – birth and then at least 15 years of care taking.

Society then stigmatizes women who don’t follow a biological norm, because our brains

are wired for 100,000 years ago, not for a society that has technology that allows us

to practice safe sex where choosing the wrong mate, no longer bares the consequence of a

life followed by years of care taking.

6.

If there are differences in how each sex looks, there must be differences in how we behave.

Males tend to have more muscle mass than women, probably due to the amount of testosterone

that they have.

The hormones in a man’s body must have an effect on their brains, and how they think,

thus how they act.

Similarly the amount of estrogen in a woman’s body must have an effect on a woman’s brains,

how they think, and thus act.

Of course there are exceptions – some women are going to have more muscle mass than some

men and some men will act more as a care taker than some women.

So what’s the solution to such divergent ways of thinking?

Should we categorize every difference of every individual in different genders?

I think most people would disagree.

Why would it help to have to learn more terms?

Language has historically simplified itself, not the other way around.

So instead of breaking male and female up into seven or more classifications, why not

just simplify it even more?

Instead of being male and female – let’s just be “ale.”

Oh wait that’s already a word.

Whatever, can’t we all just get a long?

Agree to disagree?

Agree there are some differences that are biological, and some that are socially constructed

and get on with life?

After all there are more important things to deal with like finding a good affordable

restaurant nearby when a friend is in town visiting.

Thank you for listening!

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