Is masculinity or femininity biological or just socially constructed?

Question

In the west masculinity/ femininity are considered just social constructs with no biological basis. That is to say that anyone can be masculine or femininie just by doing certain things or not doing certain things. Masculinity/ femininity according to this point of view lie outside of us --- in the acts that we do.

The east considers masculinity/ femininity to be inherent/ biological. So, a masculine person will remain masculine and a feminine person will remain feminine, irrespective of the acts.

Which viewpoint do you think is true, and why?

Answer 1

Both. There are definite differences in the construction of the bodies & brains of men & women. This is basic biological fact. But socially? Most often, men are socialized to be "masculine" while women are socialized to be "feminine". Does that mean that a boy will not like the color pink or a girl will not want to play with toy dinosaurs? No. Or that a man will not like flowers or that a woman will not want to wear pants? Of course not. And the opposite is true, too- a girl who plays with dump trucks may grow up to be a skirt-wearing housewife, while a boy who plays with dolls may grow up to be a football player. So, the most basic layouts of masculinity and femininity are "hardwired" in us, but the "software" may be influenced by society.

Answer 2

The concepts of *masculinity* and *femininity* are dying out in our culture and giving way to a society that values non gender-specific traits ... and this is a good thing. Masculinity and femininity are irrelevant and certainly not an expectation any more - though in the final analysis if one is naturally feminine or masculine there is nothing wrong with that either - it's just that most people are basically in between the two polar opposites and to enforce or encourage a person from birth to behave a certain way is bound to cause unhappiness.

Answer 3

I don't know where you get the idea that those of us in the west consider a persons sexuallity to be nuture and not nature.
I have never ever thought that. Infact.....to me it is nature aka biological. Very definatly biological.

I gave birth to my first son, the neighbor had a baby girl about the same time. As babys they wern't treated one way or another. My son took a truck and threw it down the stairs and the little girl got the truck and nurutred it and rocked it. Neither of them were old enough to walk or talk. He was definatly male and she female.

Nuture has something to do with how people are but I believe that nature is stronger. I have an adopted daughter. She has things about her that have nothing to do with how she was raised but she is much like her birth family.

There are opinions all over the place on this. I just know from my own experience that biology is very powerful.

Also, I believe that people who are masculine females are like that because of genetics and not choice.

Answer 4

Well, it actually depends on what you mean by "masculine" and "feminine." Obviously hormones play a big part in this, and largely determines many qualities that are "biologically" masculine or feminine. But there are many aspects to our gender that are entirely social constructs. Interestingly, your example of the difference between Western and Eastern attitudes is itself an example of a social construct of gender.

Answer 5

What do you think? Or is this just an exercise in philosphy?

Of course, Gender is determined by chromosomes, isn't it? XX usually determines that a person will exhibit a vagina and female physical traits. XY usually gets a penis and masculine traits. These physical traits, in every culture are pretty much the same. Then, you may have XXY chromosomes or XYY. This can cause gender dysphoria and in some cases an individual may exhibit what is called Intersexed traits: the genitals of both sexes. In this case, the parents may opt for their child to have an operation to help the child have 'normal' genitalia.

Your premise that in the 'west' biological traits make no difference is flawed. We usually exhibit our gender characteristics because boys grow up to have beards and deep voices and muscles. Girls grow up to have pronounced breasts and curves. They menstruate and have babies if they're not careful or want to.

On a flawed premise, how can your hypothesis stand?

Answer 6

I view it as being a combination of both biological and social construction.

Answer 7

Didn't take the time to read your chapter so this may not be what you're looking for but; biologically, the difference in men and women is little more than testosterone and estrogen. Beyond that everything is learned.

Answer 8

have you seen the episode in national geographic entitle "In the Womb". thier scientist explians 80% of the traits of a man was already determine. and the rest 20% is the society. So when you were born its more likely you will be masculine or feminine in any way. take look the numbers, that why we do have third sex "gays and lesbians" that they acquire the 20%. its a big number in our society right now.

Answer 9

I would say both. Masculinity or femininity can be inherent. But you can develop your body to become more masculine with body building. Or you can develop your body to be more graceful.

Answer 10

............... both ................. little natural and most of it false .............. that cooking is women's work ............ housekeeping is very feminine ...........