feminists say sex is determined by biological means and gender is a social construct?

Question

does that mean that women shouldnt be feminine and that women should be more like men? while gender and sex are different obviously the behavioral traits of the sexes are distinct from one and other. one being masculine and one being feminine. but since feminists say that gender is a "social construct" then that would mean that instinctual behavioral characteristics are created by society. which is false considering that masculinity and femininity are distinct from one an other even in the animal kingdom. so wouldnt it be defying nature when fighting the "social contruct"??

baba yaga:last time i will ever respond to you. but i did not "remove" my question. i was reported for what i said to you. i got a violation notice

Answer 1

Even *animals* have masculine and feminine roles, believe it or not! Try passing THAT off as a social construct! LOL

Answer 2

Some say that Christianity is either the greatest thing in history or the biggest hoax in history. But Feminist Theory is well beyond Christianity, in this respect. We're told that we only act a certain way because we're taught that way, as opposed to any biological differences, since the beginning of Man. Whoa!!!!! Now that theory reaches and breaches the signifance of any other theory or theology that has ever existed! (Of course, not all people take the theory to the extreme of everything being mostly socially constructed). The Masculists indoctrine the same theory, which is where I disagree. I mean, if you're simply saying that we're a product of our environment, well yeah.... that's already been covered in Psychology. So, that's why I equate this with those who apply the Extreme Model to this Theory.

Answer 3

Oh well, here we go again. This is one evolutionary biologist who does not think the effects of society and culture are enormous, though they have phenotypic effects, just as any environmental influence. All human behavior is normally distributed, as we are variants. The mistake social scientists make is to confuse average with mean of behavior. Average is an incoherent, straw man concept that implies an " essentialist " organism. The true data, when you erect enough rectangles of it to achieve a smooth curve, defines it's own mean; almost 70% of the data points are within one standard deviation of this. This means most men and women cluster around the mean of sexual behavior. Into this is thrown the pernicious doctrine of " social constructionism ". This, in it's strong form, says all human behavior is " socially constructed, without biological input. This implies that society could be " deconstructed " into anything we like. This is patently absurd, so weak "social constructionism "rears it's hideous head. This doctrine attempts to yield to Biological sex it's small place, but hold it hostage to " social construction " By the magic social science tool " learning ". Where little boys and little girls will be androgenized. It makes little difference to social scientist that the overwhelming findings of science is that sexual differences are even found robustly in our primate cousins; those devoid of human culture. Vervet play preferences is the latest blow against " social constructionism " One day old girls exibit varience in visual behavior from the same age male child. The evolutionary history of sex is well written into our species and no ideological nonsense can make" race horses out of pigs " ( no slander intended ), but working for justice can make " very fast pigs" of us all.

Answer 4

Seems to me that you are defining men as 100% masculine and women as 100% feminine. My experience is that most people are somewhere inbetween.

For example, a guy might be a football player and like to cook. Or, a woman might ride motorcycles and wear make-up.

But if the guy is continually told by societal influences that cooking is women's work, he might feel embarrassed to try. Ditto in reverse for a woman who wants to ride motorcycles.

As for comparing humans to animals in nature... you are forgetting that in many species (ie lions) it is the female who does the hunting.

Answer 5

Dierdre, where is your source? You and I both know you can't peddle around this kind of garbage without a source. Also, what's happened to you lately? You're criticizing his English, yet yours is at an all time low. You used to be able to form coherent arguments- what's going on?

I had a reply to this in another topic that basically stated gender is based on biology; denying this is senseless and foolish.

EDIT: Baba Yaga, this is really cute! Are you trying to come on to me or something? That's probably registered as pedophilia in some communities! You better be careful!

Here's something I randomly picked out of the infamous Google:

http://www.narth.com/docs/york.html

Read it for a while. I'm going to eat, take a shower (you've heard of them before, haven't you?), and be back in maybe an hour.

EDIT II: You took a random pull out of Google as a serious reply? Here's my point, Baba; you find me credible information that says evolutionary biologists, psychologists, and sociologists do not believe gender is influenced by biology and I'll shut up.

I'm waiting for your succinct reply.

Answer 6

I don't think it is so much gender itself that is socially constructed but the categories of masculine and feminine. Society decided that males are to act one way and females another. They labeled those categories feminine and masculine. Any man who acts in a "feminine" way is seen as less a man in most peoples and same for a woman who ascts in a "masculine" way. I don't think that anyone should try to modify the way they act to be seen as equal. I do believe that people should act how they please and feel comfortable, as long as it doesn't physically harm anyone, and everyone else should modify their views on who is this and who is that.

Answer 7

Very good question. Why should we be ashamed of being feminine. Men aren't ashamed of being masculine. Why should women become masculine to be equal?

We can be equal in our own distinct way. If you're a lady and reading this then register with minimum details on http://girlygirl.forumzen.com/
and find out the answers you need to know. The girly girl forum recognises that women need to be proud of their inner girly girl and not feel ashamed of being feminine.

Answer 8

they are radicals, basically the equivalent of white supremicists.

I just cited two studies where women clearly have to meet lower standards, yet she tries to claim these standards are not in fact different, espousing some unsubstantiated BS that women have equal or greater lower body strength than men. Women obviously have greater lower body strength since they are not expected to run the mile in the same time as men.

These people don't listen to facts. they ignore science. They are complete radicals. The only reason I resond is b/c they are persecuting men. I will not accept that. Women rightly stood up for themselves when they were persecuted. But now women like Diedre and Baba Yaga are persecuting men, and this is not fair. Men are dying in combat and in the streets b/c physically inferior women are filling roles simply to appease radicals like Diedre and Baba Yaga.

Sorry ladies, men have rights too. I have never once said women should not be treated equal. They should have the same opportunities as men, but when science/biology proves they can't do something as well as men (b/c of inherent strength differences), it is not fair to discriminate against men simply so Baba Yaga and the feminist regime are happy.

Was it fair when the blacks were discriminaed against simply to appease the white supremists? NO. And its not okay to discrimiante against men b/c Baba Yaga and Diedre want to rule society.

Answer 9

Social structural: men have more public power in most societies, controlling political, economic, legal, cultural life.
Interpersonal: gender cues tell us how to behave in social situations (though much of this happens at a sub-conscious level). Eg. Boys’ and girls’ behaviour in schools, “Look what Ben’s doing - he’s a typical boy”; “Nice girls don’t do that”.
Individual: internalising rules of appropriateness of male/female behaviour. Gendered identities: eg. man as bread winner (what happens if he’s made
An example of this would be:
Researchers examined features of “genderlect”
women’s: asking questions, “nurturing” talk, collective pronouns, “silent protest” strategies when interrupted

men’s: frequent interrupting, tendency to challenge partner, tendency to ignore women, use of control language, direct declarations. As you can see this describes you and your cohorts completely.
I would also like to add that for someone who claims to have post secondary education your command of the english language is deplorable.

Answer 10

Here is an article of mine that explains how the *highest* cause of gender is in the Trinity (just as the Trinity is the highest cause of anything else)|

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/catholicphilosophy/message/582



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