What is gender? In your answer you should address: (1) the binary; (2) gender as performative; (3) sex as a factor in gender identity; (4) whether or not gender can change; (5) how the Beyoncè video either supports or does not support the concept of gender roles and gender as performance; and (6) how gendered roles of men and women evolved through the matrileneal clan, patriarchy, the different types of families and the overthrow of the mother right.
Sample Solution
Gender is a complex social construct that refers to the roles, behaviors, expressions, and identities that a society considers appropriate for men and women. It is often defined in opposition to sex, which is a biological term that refers to the physical and physiological characteristics that distinguish between males and females.
The binary
The gender binary is the idea that there are only two genders: male and female. This is a simplistic view of gender that ignores the diversity of human experience. There are many people who do not identify as either male or female, and there are many cultures that have more than two genders.
Full Answer Section
Gender as performative
The idea of gender as performative was first proposed by the philosopher Judith Butler. Butler argued that gender is not something that we are born with, but something that we perform. She argued that we learn the norms and expectations of gender through social interaction, and that we constantly perform these norms through our actions, speech, and dress.
Sex as a factor in gender identity
Sex is a biological term that refers to the physical and physiological characteristics that distinguish between males and females. These characteristics include chromosomes, hormones, and genitals. However, sex is not always a binary. There are people who are intersex, which means that they have biological characteristics that do not fit neatly into the male or female categories.
Whether or not gender can change
Gender can change over time. There are many people who change their gender identity, and there are many cultures that have a tradition of third genders. Gender can also change as a result of social and cultural factors. For example, a person who is born male may identify as female if they grow up in a culture that does not have a strong gender binary.
Beyoncé's video
Beyoncé's video for "Formation" has been interpreted in many different ways. Some people have argued that the video supports the concept of gender roles and gender as performance. They point to the fact that Beyoncé is seen in a variety of traditional female roles, such as mother and wife, but she is also seen in more traditionally masculine roles, such as soldier and rapper.
Others have argued that the video challenges the concept of gender roles and gender as performance. They point to the fact that Beyoncé is seen breaking down traditional gender barriers, such as when she is seen twerking in front of a line of police officers.
The evolution of gendered roles
The gendered roles of men and women have evolved over time. In many early societies, women were the primary caregivers and men were the primary providers. However, as societies became more complex, these roles began to blur. Today, there is much more variation in the gendered roles of men and women.
The matrilineal clan is a type of society in which descent is traced through the female line. This means that property and inheritance are passed down from mother to daughter. Patriarchy is a type of society in which men hold power and authority. This is the most common type of society in the world today.
There are many different types of families, including nuclear families, extended families, and single-parent families. The type of family that a person belongs to can influence their gender identity and roles.
The overthrow of the mother right is a term used to describe the historical shift from matrilineal societies to patriarchal societies. This shift is often attributed to the rise of agriculture and the development of private property.
Gender is a complex and evolving concept. There is no single definition of gender, and it can mean different things to different people. Gender is influenced by a variety of factors, including sex, biology, culture, and personal experience.