“Night to his Day”: The Social Construction of Gender By Judith Lorber
Sex and gender are two of the most prevalent terms used interchangeably in denoting a person’s biological differences in today’s world. However, there are several differences between the two. Sex is something that is conferred to a person at birth based on the structure of their genitalia. Whereas, a person’s gender may indicate how they may want to behave, their dressing choices, etc. It is a complex aspect of a person that is fluid and ever-evolving. It is a representative of the individual’s state of mind. All past positive, negative, orthodox and modern experiences of a person play a part in shaping their gender. Even in today’s progressive yet patriarchal societies, everyone’s gender is deeply affected by the prevailing stereotypes and taboos.
People in most societies are expected to be assimilated into concrete gender norms and notions. These notions mandate that there be concrete differences in the actions of men, women and others. The process of gendering is carried out even in primitive societies. It is a way to differentiate and evolve from a simplistic lifestyle. When this happens, the physically powerful (Men) take the limelight and overpower others.
Hence, the entire world is affected by this stereotyping. All the transsexuals, transvestites are forced to hide their identities in the world. They usually resort to adopting the prevailing gendered notions based on how they want to be identified. Only awareness of this subject would improve the world’s outlook on gender.
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