Gender Conceptualization
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Gender Conceptualization
Introduction
The broad idea of gender conceptualization is continuously evolving due to the development of different aspects. The concept of gender is characterized as a dichotomous social distribution that defines specific behaviors, emotions, attitudes as being suitable for a male or female. The prospect of gender conceptualization makes it possible to identify the actual rank of males or females in a specific society. This approach permits to judge behaviors and actions of males and females considering particular expectations of gender category. Critical consideration of theories relevant to gender conceptualization is essential to recognize actual gender roles. Furthermore, the aspects of gendered power association and gender stereotypes can also better apprehend due to the perspective of gender conceptualization. It is noteworthy to indicate that the standard of gender conceptualization is differently applied within diverse societies. It is significant to examine gender conceptualization in the case of different societies to categorize the actual roles of males and females ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"WT5GbUj1","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Schmader & Block, 2015)","plainCitation":"(Schmader & Block, 2015)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":1376,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/7Hi3kAOD/items/G6L6VRAH"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/7Hi3kAOD/items/G6L6VRAH"],"itemData":{"id":1376,"type":"article-journal","title":"Engendering identity: Toward a clearer conceptualization of gender as a social identity","container-title":"Sex Roles","page":"474-480","volume":"73","issue":"11-12","author":[{"family":"Schmader","given":"Toni"},{"family":"Block","given":"Katharina"}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2015"]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Schmader & Block, 2015). This form of consideration further assists in clearly defines the interaction of gender with other social groups in society. This research paper focuses on critically analyze the idea of gender conceptualization, specifically in the context of American, Mexican, and Afghan Cultures.
Discussion
The notion of gender conceptualization is closely linked with the spectrum of culture. The prevalence of this connection eventually helps the difference between gender conceptualization in the case of different societies. Culture is characterized as one basic parameter that differentiates one society from others. The difference in cultures also greatly influences the practical domain of gender conceptualization in many different forms, such as gender roles and gender stereotypes. The overall structure of the society greatly linked with the particular gender roles defines for males and females. The social construction of gender plays a critical role in examining different behaviors and attitudes of males and females.
Gender Conceptualization in American Culture
The practical prospect of gender conceptualization in American culture is progressed over the years. The changing features of gender conceptualization in the society can clearly be observed as gender roles, gender stereotypes, gendered power relations, and the particular interaction of gender. The significant variations in the case of gender conceptualization in the country are directly linked with American culture. Identification of actual gender roles in society is mandatory to demonstrate the phenomenon of gender conceptualization in the context of culture. It is critical to indicate that gender roles can never be universally considered because it is associated with changing the perspective of culture. This means that one true aspect of gender roles in the country for one cultural group might not apply to other cultural classes. Additionally, it is observed that gender roles dramatically changed in American society with the passage of time.
Historical evolution from a single-income family unit in American culture played a critical role in changing the facet of gender roles. The increasing trend of the dual-income family greatly influences gender roles prominently in case of the responsibilities of females. The development of nuclear family models in the United States greatly impacts the prospects of gender roles in the country. The approach of a nuclear family comprised of family units of two parents and their children. The development of this family structure eventually reconceptualized the main idea of gender roles in American society ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"1N97rUHE","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Cuddy et al., 2015)","plainCitation":"(Cuddy et al., 2015)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":1373,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/7Hi3kAOD/items/3YRJI693"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/7Hi3kAOD/items/3YRJI693"],"itemData":{"id":1373,"type":"article-journal","title":"Men as cultural ideals: Cultural values moderate gender stereotype content.","container-title":"Journal of personality and social psychology","page":"622","volume":"109","issue":"4","author":[{"family":"Cuddy","given":"Amy JC"},{"family":"Wolf","given":"Elizabeth Baily"},{"family":"Glick","given":"Peter"},{"family":"Crotty","given":"Susan"},{"family":"Chong","given":"Jihye"},{"family":"Norton","given":"Michael I."}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2015"]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Cuddy et al., 2015). Development of contemporary family models in the country ultimately defined career and household responsibilities for both, males and females. The changing perspective categorized career opportunities equally important for males and females. Currently, equal professional chances for men and women are considered as basic criteria of gender equality in American society.
The total amalgamation of gender roles is the current cultural trend that prevails in American society considering the broader perspective of gender conceptualization. Active cooperation of males and females in different professional and household tasks is a common approach in today's American society. This specific idea of gender conceptualization is clearly imitated in the forms of women's education, career development, equal family income contribution by both males and females. In today's American culture, the active involvement of women in workplace settings is a common practice that illustrates changing the role of gender, particularly in the case of women. It is also necessary to mention that most women are also expecting to perform their household tasks, even if they are contributing to the family income. A critical assessment of the concept of gender stereotypes in the case of American culture is also important to make inferences about the growing domain of gender equality in the country. Different forms of social and economic developments in the country play an important role to smash some gender labels. However, some gender stereotypes are still deeply rooted in American culture.
The difference of opinion in the case of the intelligent level of males and females still exists in American society. However, peoples' perception of this approach is dramatically changing. The specific label of competency in case of difference of gender is also present in different cultural groups of the country. Despite the active convergence in gender roles, it still believes in American culture that men are more determined, aggressive, and decisive as compare to women. The prevalence of this gender stereotype ultimately impacts career choices for males and females to some extent. Different dynamics of gendered power also helps to recognize gender position in American culture. This specific perspective helps to identify existing inequalities between males and females at the social level. Exploration of gender inequalities is essential to examine actual patterns of distribution of power ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"TS0NB68N","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Yi, Ribbens, Fu, & Cheng, 2015)","plainCitation":"(Yi, Ribbens, Fu, & Cheng, 2015)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":1374,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/7Hi3kAOD/items/LU9D5FR2"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/7Hi3kAOD/items/LU9D5FR2"],"itemData":{"id":1374,"type":"article-journal","title":"Variation in career and workplace attitudes by generation, gender, and culture differences in career perceptions in the United States and China","container-title":"Employee Relations","page":"66-82","volume":"37","issue":"1","author":[{"family":"Yi","given":"Xiang"},{"family":"Ribbens","given":"Barbara"},{"family":"Fu","given":"Linna"},{"family":"Cheng","given":"Weibo"}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2015"]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Yi, Ribbens, Fu, & Cheng, 2015). The main idea of gender relations is directly linking with power relations. The political grounds of the country help to observe the existing gender gap when it comes to power. It is examined that males of the country have more authority as compare to women in case of decision-making and application of political power. Undoubtedly, the society of America is still struggling to create a balanced approach to gendered power regardless of cultural development. The social construction of gender roles plays a critical role in determining the power struggle of females in the country. The spectrum of gender conceptualization in American culture is also closely associated with other social categories such as race and socioeconomic factors. These factors also play a critical role to determine the different roles of men and women in American society. American society is recognized as the combination of many different ethnic groups, and this diversity also influences gender roles and gender identity for men and women.
Gender Conceptualization in Mexican Culture
Societal norms of Mexican culture greatly impact the overall approach of gender conceptualization. The dimensions of gender identity and gender roles are directly associated with the social standards of Mexican society. Family is established as an important social institution in Mexican culture to define specific roles and responsibilities for both men and women. Family relationships play a critical role in determining specific roles, identity, and social position in case of both the genders. Identification of existing household structure in the country also helps to recognize specific gender roles. It is important to indicate that the development of household structure mainly depends on social classes. Mostly, the nuclear family is a preferable family domain that prevails in Mexican culture. However, the approach of the extended family is also appreciated in some cultural groups of Mexican society. The practical prospect of household structure influences the specific roles of men and women in this culture.
On a wider societal level, the Mexican culture is defined as a patriarchal culture that gives more control and authority to men as compared to women. Males have clear superiority on females when it comes to decision-making in different critical matters. The paradigm of gender roles and dynamics greatly varies, considering factors of the region, socioeconomic classification, and geographical differences. However, gender positioning is generally strong for males as almost 70% of all Mexican families have a male authority of the house. The social and economic position of males as compared to females is mostly strong because they are recognized as a primary income earner for the family. The ratio of the female-headed household is immensely minimal that clearly defines their weak economic and social position in the case of Mexican culture.
The gender identities for Mexican males and Mexican females are clearly defined that eventually illustrates their roles and gender position in society. There is a set pattern of attributes associated with the gender positioning of men and women in Mexican culture. Mexican men are expected to be masculine, independent, and dominant considering the cultural standards of the society. On the other hand, Mexican women are expected to follow the rules and standards set for them by males. They have all the duties of homemaking in order to prove the effectiveness of their gender roles. Identification of specific gender stereotyping in the case of Mexican culture is also mandatory to recognize the actual gender roles of males and females ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"qzqgIt80","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Nava-Reyes, Rojas-Sol\\uc0\\u237{}s, Amador, & Quintero, 2018)","plainCitation":"(Nava-Reyes, Rojas-Solís, Amador, & Quintero, 2018)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":1375,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/7Hi3kAOD/items/GBYWJT5X"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/7Hi3kAOD/items/GBYWJT5X"],"itemData":{"id":1375,"type":"article-journal","title":"Gender roles, sexism and myths of romantic love in Mexican adolescents","container-title":"Interamerican Journal of Psychology","page":"102-111","volume":"52","issue":"1","author":[{"family":"Nava-Reyes","given":"María Andrea"},{"family":"Rojas-Solís","given":"José Luis"},{"family":"Amador","given":"Louise Mary Greathouse"},{"family":"Quintero","given":"Luz Anyela Morales"}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2018"]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Nava-Reyes, Rojas-Solís, Amador, & Quintero, 2018). The imbalance approach of power association in the case of gender increases the risk of gender labeling in society. The changing social and economic features influence the approach of gender stereotyping, but this issue is still present in society. The social prospect of submissiveness is still associated with the gender role of women. Housework is the main responsibility mainly associated with the gender identity of women. Double standards of parents about their sons and daughters is another major example of the existence of specific gender stereotypes in Mexican culture. Male children are generally praised by Mexican parents that explain the prevalence of gender differences. Individuals are clearly judged in Mexican society due to their gender orientation.
The difference between gender roles in Mexican culture ultimately influences the perspective of gendered power relations. The problem of gender inequality strongly impacts the Mexican women’s position to attain authority. The disturbing phenomenon of imbalance gender power relations can also examine in the case of defined roles for men and women in Mexican society. However, it is also essential to mention that women's position is Mexican culture is gradually changing by minimizing gender gaps in different spheres of life.
Gender Conceptualization in Afghan Culture
Extensive male domination is one basic and explicit aspect of Afghan culture that indicates about the gender position for males and females in the society. Afghan society plays its role as a consistent entity to set basic behavioral principles for both genders of males and females. It is significant to mention that Afghan cultural values have clear indications about the concept of gender identities. The ground reality of Afghan society provides some interesting and surprising information related to the idea of gender conceptualization. In recent times, the conventional gender roles of Afghan women are explicitly changing through their active involvement in different areas of life. Statistics about the country indicates that there are 27.6% of women who are part of the parliament. This is one clear indication that gender power relations in the case of women are changing due to their growing involvement in the decision-making process at the political level.
The practical domain of the Taliban government has a great influence to define specific gender roles, specifically in the case of women. The extremist approach of this political scenario ultimately appeared as the restricted role of women as a gender at the social structure level. Women of Afghan society are facing different limitations at the social level, and clothing restriction is one of them. Domestic roles and responsibilities are entirely associated with the traditional gender role of women. Proper examination of family dynamics of Afghan culture is important to figure out actual gender conceptualization that prevails in society. Gender roles differ, considering the features of various ethnicities, socioeconomic standards, and regions. Male domination is the basic standard set in Afghan society, considering the domain of gender positioning and gender roles. The eldest male member of the Afghan family has the authority of decision-making.
Male individuals have control over income spending, that ultimately increases the power gap between genders ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"O1bB3zQq","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Ahmad & Anctil Avoine, 2018)","plainCitation":"(Ahmad & Anctil Avoine, 2018)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":1377,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/7Hi3kAOD/items/E8FJIEI6"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/7Hi3kAOD/items/E8FJIEI6"],"itemData":{"id":1377,"type":"article-journal","title":"Misogyny in ‘post-war’Afghanistan: the changing frames of sexual and gender-based violence","container-title":"Journal of Gender Studies","page":"86-101","volume":"27","issue":"1","author":[{"family":"Ahmad","given":"Lida"},{"family":"Anctil Avoine","given":"Priscyll"}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2018"]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Ahmad & Anctil Avoine, 2018). Gender roles are mainly defined for both men and women in Afghan society. Provision of economic support and protections are responsibilities associated with the authoritative role of Afghan males while women are responsible for all the domestic chores. It is important to mention that old gender roles for women are significantly changing through the adoption of a modernized form of gender equality. Public involvement of women is increasing, that also greatly impacts the facet of gender power relations.
Conclusion
To conclude the discussion about the gender conceptualization specifically in the case of American, Mexican, and Afghan culture, it is vital to designate that all the societies are progressing in this manner. The practical domain of gender conceptualization is different for all the countries due to the difference in their cultures. Growing changes in social and economic aspects ultimately alter the gender roles for both males and females.
References
ADDIN ZOTERO_BIBL {"uncited":[],"omitted":[],"custom":[]} CSL_BIBLIOGRAPHY Ahmad, L., & Anctil Avoine, P. (2018). Misogyny in ‘post-war’Afghanistan: The changing frames of sexual and gender-based violence. Journal of Gender Studies, 27(1), 86–101.
Cuddy, A. J., Wolf, E. B., Glick, P., Crotty, S., Chong, J., & Norton, M. I. (2015). Men as cultural ideals: Cultural values moderate gender stereotype content. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 109(4), 622.
Nava-Reyes, M. A., Rojas-Solís, J. L., Amador, L. M. G., & Quintero, L. A. M. (2018). Gender roles, sexism and myths of romantic love in Mexican adolescents. Interamerican Journal of Psychology, 52(1), 102–111.
Schmader, T., & Block, K. (2015). Engendering identity: Toward a clearer conceptualization of gender as a social identity. Sex Roles, 73(11–12), 474–480.
Yi, X., Ribbens, B., Fu, L., & Cheng, W. (2015). Variation in career and workplace attitudes by generation, gender, and culture differences in career perceptions in the United States and China. Employee Relations, 37(1), 66–82.
