Gender and Society with Peace Studies 1

CRITICAL THEORY ON GENDER

Social Construction of Gender
CARIMAN, GRETCHIN1
FUENTES, JOANNA MARIE2 Social constructionism is the notion that
MAMITES, HONEYLET CRISTELLE3 people’s understanding of reality is partially, if
MANILA, HANNAH4 not entirely, socially situated.
What is Critical Theory?
Critical Theory is a mechanism used to Gender is socially constructed and a result of
deconstruct scientific and societal norms, with sociocultural influences throughout an
the ultimate purpose of influencing greater individual's development (Schneider, Gruman &
societal change. Coutts, 2005). The idea of social construction of
gender sees society, not biological sex
This greater societal change can be achieved by differences, as the basis for gender identity
redefining scientific and social norms, or by (Anderson, Logio & Taylor, 2005). Gender
leaving them completely undefined altogether. identity can be affected by, and is different from
one society to another depending on the way
Where did Critical Theory originate? the members of society evaluate the role of
Critical Theory has its roots in Marxism. Marx females and males. Our gender identity can be
sought to convince people in poverty, and other influenced from the ethnicity of the group, their
marginalized groups, that the power structures historical and cultural background, family values
in society were built to oppress them. Only by and religion. Often people confuse or misuse
rejecting these systems and institutions, and the terms gender and sex. The term sex refers
embracing Communism, could they ever be to the biological distinction of being male and
equal and free. female (Schneider, Gruman & Coutts, 2005).

Critical Gender Theory Concepts Gender Schema Theory

Gender is merely a social construct. The idea
that there are only 2 genders that are defined
Gender schema theory was introduced by
by human genitalia is an arbitrary concept
psychologist Sandra Bem in 1981 and asserted
created and perpetuated by society.
that children learn about male and female roles
from the culture in which they live. According to
Assigning the male gender to a baby born with a
the theory, children adjust their behavior to
penis and assigning the female gender to a baby
align with the gender norms of their culture
born with a vagina is wrong. Any human born
from the earliest stages of social development.
with a penis can be male, female, or no gender
at all (non-binary). Any human born with a
Gender Categories:
vagina can be male, female, or no gender at all
(non-binary).
1. Sex-typed individuals are those who
How is Critical Gender Theory practiced? identify with their gender and process
1. Guidance to eliminate gender terms from information through the lens of that
normal communication. gender schema.
2. Not allowing dividing students into boys’ 2. Cross-typed individuals process
lines and girls’ lines. information through the lens of the
3. Guidance to not address students as “Boys opposite gender.
and Girls,” use generic terms instead. 3. Androgynous individuals exhibit both
4. Asking students for their pronouns masculine and feminine thinking.
5. Allowing bathroom use based on "gender 4. Undifferentiated individuals have difficulty
identity." processing information based on any
6. Building gender-neutral bathrooms. gender schema.

Gender is “PERFORMATIVE,” Gender Trouble Critical Feminist Theory

(Butler, 1990).
Human gender is not part of essential existence. Feminist theory falls under the umbrella of
Gender is performed by the individual, either by critical theory, which in general have the
choice, or by conforming to pressure of purpose of destabilizing systems of power and
historical societal norms. oppression. It views the social world in a way
Gender and Society with Peace Studies 2

that illuminates the forces that create and their categorization into “normal” or “deviant”
support inequality, oppression, and injustice, sexualities or gender, are constructed socially
and in doing so, promotes the pursuit of and generate modes of social meaning. Queer
equality and justice. theory follows and expands upon feminist
theory by refusing the belief that sexuality and
Feminism is concerned with the constructs of gender identity are essentialist categories
intersectionality, dimensions of social life, social determined by biology that can thus be
inequality, and social transformation. empirically judged by fixed standards of
morality and “truth.”
Men and women should be politically,
economically, and socially equal and this theory Binary Gender (male and female) and
does not subscribe to differences or similarities heterosexuality are social constructs.
between men, nor does it refer to excluding
men or only furthering women causes. Feminist Humans do not have to define their gender or
theory works to support change and sexuality in any way.
understanding through acknowledging and
disrupting power and oppression. Quote

Masculinity/Masculinities “All through life there were distinctions - toilets

for men, toilets for women; clothes for men,
Masculinity is the set of social practices and clothes for women - then, at the end, the graves
cultural representations associated with being a are identical.”
man. The plural ‘masculinities’ is also used in
recognition that ways of being a man and — Leila Aboulela, Minaret
cultural representations of/about men vary,
both historically and culturally, between Assessment
societies and between different groupings of
men within any one society (Mambrol, 2017).
1. In three sentences, what constitutes the
Critical Theory on Gender's central argument?
Scholars defined masculinity as constructed and Other than what the reporters have stated,
defined socially, historically and politically, provide an example. (5 points)
rather than being biologically driven. It is about
the social expectations of manhood, this means
2. Do you agree with Karl Marx's statement that
that there is no single, fixed definition of
"by rejecting the systems and institutions and
masculinity.
embracing Communism, a person could be
equal and free"? If so, explain why. If no, make
Connell (2000) emphasises that masculinities an argument. (5 points)
are not simply equivalent to biological men. In
other words, ‘masculine’ bodies, behaviour or
3. In the Philippine setting, how is Critical
attitudes can be the social practices of people
Gender Theory practiced? (2 points)
who are otherwise defined as ‘women’. For
Connell, then, masculinities is a concept that
4. In three sentences, do you believe that race,
‘names patterns of gender practice, not just
gender, and sexuality are merely social
groups of people’ (2000).
constructs designed to oppress? Justify your
answer. (3 points)
Critical Queer Theory
5. Do you agree that gender is performative?
Queer Theory questions and challenges rigid
Justify your answer. (3 points)
identities, categories, sexual and gender norms,
oppression, and such hegemonic norms justify
6. Enumerate the six theories that was
the violence. It asserts that all sexual behaviors
discussed by the reporters. (2 points)
and gender expressions, all concepts linking
such to prescribed, associated identities, and
References
Gender and Society with Peace Studies 3

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