81317
Description
Mind Map by bryonyelgey, updated more than 1 year ago
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Created by bryonyelgey
almost 11 years ago
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Identity and Gender
- Some sociologists have claimed that there is currently a
'crisis in masculinity' as men seek to come to terms with
changing gender roles. Mac an Ghaill (1994) suggests that
the changes in the labour market mean that the traditional
male role of breadwinner and protector has been
undermined, resulting in confusion about how to respond to
these changes. The 'new man' has been posited as one
response. However, another response to the crisis in
masculinity is to revert to the macho stereotype.
- A postmodernist analysis of gender identity suggests that the distinctions between masculinity
and femininity are becoming blurred, gender identity is more fluid than it was in the past.
Traditional gender roles are no longer significant in social life as more women are focused on
their careers and house-husbands are not uncommon. In the media there is a diversity of role
models who transgress traditional gender stereotypes. We have more choices in our gender
identity, which no longer depends only on our biology-sex reassignment is possible. We can
express our gender identity in a range of different ways at different times.
- Gender may be higher in the consciousness of women and
men in understanding their everyday experiences.
Feminism is also a political movement and gender may be
a politicised identity for some. However, we must note that
there are many differences in the experience of gender as a
source of identity. For example, blac feminists would
combine ethnicity and gender as a source of identity.
- Identity and sexuality
- Attitudes to sexuality and expressions of sexual identity have
changed in recent decades. Gender and secual identity will
be experienced differently by different social groups, for
example, lesbians and gay men will experience masculinity
and femininity in different ways. For some, sexuality has
become a politicised identity-protest movements such as
radical feminism and 'Outrage' illustrate this.
- Foucault (1976) suggests that the way sexuality is
expressed is dependent on the discourses
present in a society at a particular time. In terms of
Goffman's concept of stigma (1968),
homosexuality carries less social stigma than it
did in the past. Therefore, establishing a sexual
identity is likely to be less psychologically painful
for those who are not heterosexual than it was 50
years ago. We should note, however, that in
different cultures homosexuality is still seen as
deviant or evil and in these cultures identity based
on sexuality may remain hidden.
- Attitudes to sexuality and expressions of sexual identity have
changed in recent decades. Gender and secual identity will
be experienced differently by different social groups, for
example, lesbians and gay men will experience masculinity
and femininity in different ways. For some, sexuality has
become a politicised identity-protest movements such as
radical feminism and 'Outrage' illustrate this.
- Identity and age
- There are many stereotypes based on age in our society and these may be
internalised and contribute to our sense of identity. The most economically
advantaged group is the middle aged, however, younger people and
older people are both stereotyped and suffer economic disadvantages.
- Older people who have retired from full-time work are likely to experience a
range of social and cultural disadvantages, such as limited income and negative
stereotyping. We should note that older people are becoming more powerful
consumer groups as they have more disposable income and can therefore,
according to the POSTMODERNIST PERSPECTIVE, construct a range of
identities through consumption.
- There are many stereotypes based on age in our society and these may be
internalised and contribute to our sense of identity. The most economically
advantaged group is the middle aged, however, younger people and
older people are both stereotyped and suffer economic disadvantages.
- Identity and disability
- Like class, gender, age and ethnicity, there is a huge diversity
in experience of people in the category and this will result in
different social identities. We should also note that the
experience of disability is socially constructed. Physical or
Psychological characteristics may lead to differential abilities,
but it is culture of society that makes disability significant. In
terms of INTERACTIONIST THEORY disabled people may
come to see themselves as others see them. It is the
internalisation of the stigma that is likely to make disability an
active level of identity for many disabled people.
- Like the Feminist movement, the disability
movement has become increasingly political, arguing
that public attention needs to shift from individual
impairments to social oppression. This may mean
that disability is more central to identity for many, as
people challenge the dominant discourses
surrounding disability.
- Like class, gender, age and ethnicity, there is a huge diversity
in experience of people in the category and this will result in
different social identities. We should also note that the
experience of disability is socially constructed. Physical or
Psychological characteristics may lead to differential abilities,
but it is culture of society that makes disability significant. In
terms of INTERACTIONIST THEORY disabled people may
come to see themselves as others see them. It is the
internalisation of the stigma that is likely to make disability an
active level of identity for many disabled people.
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