Gender Sex And Societies
...Societies. ‘Sex’ is a term that enables us to understand the biological difference between women and men. Lindsey (2005, p: 4) explains that the definition of sex emphasizes “male and female, differences in chromosomes, anatomy, hormones, reproductive systems and other physiological components”. ‘Gender’ is a term that enable us to understand the ways in which differences between women and men are socially constructed, and how ‘sex’ is projected and extended into ideas about gender differences that are often become enacted as social oppression. Lindsey (2005: 4) added to the explanation that “sex makes us male or female; gender makes us masculine or feminine. Sex is an ascribed status because a person is born with it, but gender is achieved status because it must be learned”.
Categories of gender and sex have a great influence in shaping our lives, our behaviours and our attitudes. Gender differences are codified into laws, religions and social behaviour. They are institutionalised into social organisation and cultural ways of thinking. Socialisation is a life long process by which individuals learn a culture of a particular society they live in. Pilcher and Whelehan (2004: 160) noted “as individuals grow up and older, they continually encounter new situations and experiences and so on learn new aspects of femininity and masculinity throughout their lives”. Culture itself is the habitual manner in which people learn to organise their behaviour and thoughts in relation to their environment. Lindsey (2005: 51) denotes “as a society’s total way of life, culture endows us with social heritage and provides guidelines for appropriate behaviour”. Cultures are organised through social structures that certify the basic needs of society are met in customary ways. Lindsey (2005: 51) also stated “although it is the social institution of family that sets the standards...
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