Classifications
allow individuals to create a simpler interpretation of the world around them.
Everyday life becomes much less complex when we are able to narrow down
individuals into distinct categories. A few seconds glance at another person
gives some people all the information they need to know. Things such as race,
gender, and sexual orientation are the main topics of classification. Our
culture prefers classifying things in binary such as gay or straight, black or
white, and male or female. A binary system allows for less thought and easier
navigation through everyday life but it does not hold up to an objective
reality. Although we may prefer binaries, it is quite evident that most things
are more accurately placed along a spectrum. With the view of a spectrum we can
see that people fluctuate in degrees of classification; they are not this or
that but rather somewhere in between.
In “Doing
Gender”, authors Zimmerman and West propose that gender should be considered a
performance that emerges out of social interaction rather than a concrete,
objective identification (1987). Zimmerman and West support their argument by
drawing on Goffman’s theories of social interaction. The two authors expand on
Goffman’s ideas on social roles by contending that individuals organize their
activities during social interaction in order to reflect their own gender, and
in doing so are predisposed to see others in the same way. Further, West and
Zimmerman state that “doing gender” is an unavoidable activity. As participants
in this society we have no other option but to act out our lives in its bubble
(1987). If an individual’s activity does not follow typical gender norms that
activity is still regulated by societal norms, even if it’s in opposition to
them. We will always be subject to
gender assessment as long as our cultural beliefs in “essential” differences
between men and women still stand (West & Zimmerman 1987). Zimmerman and West’s article shows us that
gender is an inescapable classification in the culture of today; and that
rather than being an innate identity is the result of social interaction and
structure.
In their
article, West and Zimmerman do not put forth any possible solutions to gender
classification yet they do state that recognizing the structural components of
gender allows us to see it in a new light.
The other pieces we read for today’s class do point towards way in which
we may help dampen the disparity between genders. The three other pieces point
to a similar theme of making the world a more accommodating place for those who
do not fit into the binary classification of male or female. Fausto-Sterling
suggests in her article that the most beneficial thing we can do as a society
is to turn our focus away from the genitals and accept that there is a wide
variation in the way people identify (2000). It seems that we are moving
towards a more gender-diverse world.
Fausto-Sterling suggests that we are in the midst of this transition and
in order to protect the changing environment we must protect those whose
personal gender does not coincide with their socially assigned one. It seems to
me that our societal norms are widening and in the future may allow for a third
gender to not only exist but also to thrive, much like the muxe of Mexico. As
more and more people come to realize that gender is not a biological fact but
rather a product of social interaction and construction, we will be better
prepared to move towards a more accepting and gender-diverse society.
I like that you pointed out how humans feel the need to categorize things and don't open their mind to a more fluid way of thinking. However, you didn't mention that it wasn't always this way, the human body used to be seen as fluid and not dimorphic. The differences in bodies were attributed to different levels of "energy". When you brought up fausto's suggestion of accepting the wide variety of genders a great example of this would have been the assigned reading of the new Facebook gender settings. In the end, I do agree with you that our society is becoming more tolerant and we are moving in the right direction in terms of intersexual acceptance.
ReplyDeleteLike you stated above, binaries are very prevalent in our society making things appear to be black or white when in reality there is an entire spectra of options. It is interesting to observe social phenomenas, such as gender, personified and replicated over and over in our society. Material items, such as clothing, shoes, bathrooms, and types of movies are thought of with gender which creates this entity of "doing gender". Little boys are taught not to play with "girl" toys and when choosing a bathroom you either go into the one where the stick figure is wearing a triangle dress, or pants. But what about those who fall outside of these? For example in our reading today, we learned of the Muxes who are a third "gender" accepted into society located in Mexico. These are transitioned men to females, sometimes with reconstructive surgery, but often times not. By looking at other cultures we can see how these binaries are socially constructed because they are contingent on geography and time periods. I, however, do not believe we need to create new gender categories, but eradicate classification of gender altogether to make a more accepting and less dangerous society.
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