All About Gender!

October 20, 2010

We were discussing gender development, stereotypes and expectations in edpsych today. We started off by being asked to pair up and decide on one man and one woman who embody masculinity and femininity. Tessa and I decided on Gerard Butler and Marilyn Monroe. Then, as a class we were discussing a few celebrities who defy the gender expectations as being an overly masculine woman, or an overly feminine man. Some that the class came up with include; Michael Jackson, Adam Lambert, David Bowie, and Prince. It’s interesting that the class came up with a lot of feminine men but not a single masculine woman. I wonder if that’s because it’s more acceptable for women to be masculine than for men to be feminine? I think society tends to pick on men for being feminine or gay, and they don’t ostracize masculine women as much. Don’t get me wrong, I do think that masculine women are looked down upon compared to what the “perfect” woman is supposed to be; I just don’t think it’s to quite an extreme as men. Perhaps that’s because of the media? Women in the media are generally portrayed as strong, confident, indestructible women. This might reiterate the fact in a woman’s brain that she can do anything and that she doesn’t have to be at the mercy of a man; constantly being told what to do. On the other hand, men in the media are generally portrayed as the typical “perfect” man. They’re always right and are rarely portrayed as being weak. When they are being portrayed as weak, it is usually looked down upon. Now, there are instances when women are shown as being weak, as are men, and it’s acceptable. However, it isn’t very common. 

There are three theories that we discussed in class today that illustrate why we are “feminine” or “masculine”: Social Learning Theory, Cognitive Development Theory, and Gender Schema Theory. The Social Learning Theory, according to the textbook, emphasizes that children’s gender development occurs through observation and imitation of gender behaviour, as well as through reinforcement and punishment of gender behaviour. The Cognitive Development Theory states that children’s gender typing occurs after they have developed a concept of gender. Lastly, Gender Schema Theory says that an individual’s attention and behaviour are guided by an internal motivation to conform to gender-based socio-cultural standards and stereotypes. As you see, there are many circumstances that influence how a child will act in a classroom. There are differences in classroom behaviour between genders; boys are more likely to be rowdy, and girls are more likely to wait their turn to speak. There are many stereotypes that say that girls are not as good at math and science as boys are. There has been extensive research to disprove this stereotype, and though it may be true to a certain extent, it is mainly as a result of teacher gender inequalities. Teachers are urged to treat both boys and girls equally in all subjects, no matter the social stereotype, but sadly this is not always the case. Hence, boys are better at math and science and girls are better at language-based classes.

Within my own family, there is a general mix of what we’re good at between my siblings and I. If I were to compare it to Gardener’s Multiple Intelligences, I would be verbal, interpersonal, musical, and bodily kinaesthetic. Throughout high school I was always better at English and Drama and other creative courses rather than Math(I took Math 30 Pure three times, I passes the first time but I wanted a better grade, which I didn’t succeed in doing). My brother, who is in the Technical Theatre and Entertainment Production course here at the college, is better at spatial, mathematical, and intrapersonal. He was always really great at Math and Science courses in high school. My younger sister is a strange mix between my brother and I; which could be because she had us as tutors. She’s pretty much a genius though; she does really well in everything except for Social, and I think that’s mainly because it bores her. I think she would be verbal, mathematical, and bodily kinaesthetic mainly. My mom’s also a pretty strange case; she did really well in English through high school and college, except she’s an accountant. Explain that one! My dad’s a cookie-cutter mathematical, spatial, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. He would never help me with English homework but if I needed help with Math he’d be the first to offer. He went to school to be an engineer but now he manages an oilfield company, so either way he uses all of those skills.

As you see, even within my own family, there are no clear-cut differences between female and male. I think that researchers should use my family as an example to disprove these gender stereotypes!