Huge stereotype???

Question

Isn't being a boy or a girl a huge stereotype??? Because almost all boys like sports just because they are boys. Also the whole thing about boys being macho, girls are just as strong as boys. Do you agree or not???

Answer 1

Yes, gender is a stereotype. a lot of how males and females act is based on how we are socialized, or raised.

Take for example your example of sports. We define sports by certain criteria, which has nothing to do with the sport itself. Sports are a social construct. If we redefine certain aspects of sports to focus on endurance rather than raw physical strength, then women are much better at sports than men as women typically have more stamina/endurance but are weaker physically (at least in the upper body, we have the advantage in lower body). For example, for a long time women were not allowed to run marathons. It was thought that the marathon would destroy our fragile reproductive systems (ha!) But now that women are allowed to run marathons an interesting thing is happening - men's times are remaining unchanged while women become faster and soon will edge out men's times.

Okay, another sport example - jump rope. Wait! You say. Jump rope isn't a sport! Ahh...dear one, that's where you are wrong. It used to be a sport. It used to be a male dominated sport. Yep. Men jumped rope on playgrounds while women sat and watched. Soon, young girls everywhere proclaimed "Hey, we can do that too!" And they did. In droves. The boys didn't like that, so they left jump rope and redefined as a "nonsport". Anytime women begin to outnumber men, men leave (take teaching and nursing as other examples of previous male-dominated arenas). Then it is redefined as something "girly", which means no boy/man worth his weight in gold would be caught dead doing the activity.

A lot of who we are - both in gender and other things, is nothign more than a social construct. If this wasn't the case then people across all times and all places would be exactly the same. But they aren't. Believe it or not, not all women are nurturing and not all men are war-mongering. however, just because something is socially constructed doesnt' mean it is not "real". We have very real reactions to things that are socially constructed. Imagine eating a cockroach or tarantula - gives you the squeams doesn't it? But these are considered delicacies elsewhere. Food is socially constructed, yet we have very real, physical reactions to it.

If you are interested in learning more about gender and sociology, I highly recommend taking a gender class at your local college. There are also a ton of great books out there by Deborah Tolman, Deborah Tannen, Joan Jacobs Brumberg, and Arlie Hochschild.

Answer 2

Bing a boy or girl is a gender. There are preconceptions about such genders, though.

I've personally found just as many girls who like sports as guys. I don't really like sports. Martial arts is more my thing.

As far as strength it all depends on what kind of strength. Physically men are on average stronger. It's genetic. Anyone can lift weights and get stronger than the average joe, though. As far as being a strong person, anyone can do that.

Answer 3

Is it a stereotype or natural instinct.
What roles do each sex have across all cultures. Primitive cultures should have the most obvious examples of natural tendencies between the sexes.

Supposedly in primitive societies the men are hunters and defend the community whether from animal or human dangers. Women are nurturers, they typically care for the children. Are these roles prewired in our brains? If not would we see differences in all the different cultures around the world? Is there a culture where men take care of the children while the women defend the community against anything that may threaten it?

Boadicea was a woman leader who took on the Roman legions in 26 AD. So maybe their are some exceptions.

Overall I see sports as another form of competition. Since war is not a practical outlet... sports have become a substitute to brutally beat something.

Answer 4

Having a gender isn't a stereotype, for one thing.
'almost all boys like sports just because they are boys'. What the hell does that mean? It doesn't matter what gender you are, because anyone can like sports, whether they be male or female. Sports weren't based upon genders. Also, intelligent males don't think they're 'macho'. You make girls sound like they're really tough, but notice how you complaining about the subject makes you the inferior one, not boys. So, get a grip, and learn to deal stereotypes.
If it really bothers you that much, stop complaining and do something about it. Besides, we all know that females are strong. They have to give birth, and deal with men. With out women we would be nothing.

Answer 5

I agree on the fact that culture influences differences more than it should. Physically speaking men and women are not the same, but cultural stereotypes makes this difference bigger than it is in reality. Girls can be as strong as boys, you are right.

Answer 6

I think the answer to that question has two facets (or sides):

1. Boys and girls are correctly defined by sex because it is a real difference.

2. However, we as a society place a great many assumptions and expectations on kids based on whether they are a boy or girl....ultimately resulting in a huge stereotype that is regularly enforced (by the media, parents, people around you etc.)

So no and yes...

Answer 7

Whew, you really got the boys all stirred up over that question! Yep, boys and girls have different physical parts, but you're right, a lot of the differences between boys and girls are made up...if boys and girls have the chance to play and act like they feel without being told how to look, act, dress, talk, walk, and play, they can have all sorts of combinations of interests, skills, and abilities, whether its sports, reading, fishing, painting, debating, or cooking.

Unfortunately, lots of adults, schools, churches, doctors, and other children like to tell us what we're suppose to be like, depending on what gender we were born with.

Answer 8

Young Carie. I do not even know where to start, here. Less humanities and social science for you and more biology!!

PS Deirdre. How does one guaranty equality of outcome?? Read " Harrison Bergeron ", by Kurt Vonnegut for the answer.

PPS I find myself in the unenviable position of agreeing with some of " happy bullet's answer. I gave him a " thumbs down
anyway. It's personal, bullet! ( is a woman" jocking "you yet? )

Answer 9

Women are vulnerable blondes are dull all homosexual guys are female all lesbians are butcher than a few guys Homosexuality is a ailment Marriage is just for guys and ladies God hates gays (what fun...if that have been precise, we would not be right here now, might we?) How's that?

Answer 10

TOTALLY disagree. Haven't you kept up with the changes in the last, say 40 years? Guys wearing beautiful long hair, girls cutting theirs off, uni-sex clothing, uni-sex, hair-salons, uni-sex bathrooms, and check out the sports! WOMEN BODY BUILDERS!? Never mind the body piercing and the Professions! Think about it.
EVEN the reproductive organs have gone open-market!!
Stereotyping the genders is a small thing anymore except in certain environments. Check it out and think about it.