Both boys and girls are expected to react in a specific manner by the society (Butler, 2006). There are behaviors that are expected in the society and those that are considered to be unethical. In most societies, both boys and girls tend to be socialized in a different manner. This disparity in socialization is referred to as gender socialization (Butler, 2006). The society tends to encourage a set of behaviors that boys and girls are expected to follow in such a way that they are able to fit in the society. This means that they can be able to relate to one another and fit into such a society. As I was growing up, I experienced the process of gender socialization through the different situation. My parents were responsible for teaching me some of the rules that allowed me to integrate into the society. Some of these rules were responsible for shaping my personality, and this is the primary reason why I’ve been able to develop positive attitudes.
As a child, my surroundings taught me most of the things about expectations from the community. My parents, in particular, were responsible for teaching me most of the manners and what to expect from other kinds of both genders. They also taught me the behaviors that are should engage in and the games that I should play based on my gender. There were some limits when it came to association with kids from other genders though as a small kid, the limits were minimal. Several factors affected the gender socialization process during this age. One of the factors was my ability to differentiate between the male and female gender. As a kid, the difference between the two genders was not very significant. This means that I could relate to any kid since the chances of engaging in behavior that is immoral based on social expectations were minimal. The environment in which I grew up was also a key factor in the process. This environment allowed me to associate with both boys and girls in the playing field. This means that the surrounding environment was key in that it enabled me to understand the process of gender socialization.
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During adolescence, it means that an individual has passed his childhood stage had he is between that stage and adulthood. Gender socialization during this period determines the kind of an individual that one grows up to become. This is the period where both boys and girl are able to differentiate between the two genders appropriately. Other issues such as gender inequality become relevant to both boys and girls. An understanding of these features allows the two genders to learn how to survive in the environment. Gender socialization during this period is associated with several difficulties. At this period, females understand the consequences of engaging in negative behaviors. Child marriage can affect their life since their education is affected. FGM is also a factor that the female gender is advised to avoid, and those who are incapable of avoiding it are assisted.
Gender inequality also intensifies during this period in that both boys and girls understand consequences such as school drop out and the risk of HIV. Such risks can occur if these individuals do not engage in the required behaviors. Failure to act in accordance with the expectations from the society means that boys and girls are at risk of suffering from various risks during adolescence. An example of such risks is the possibility of becoming pregnant for the female gender. Boys have the higher possibility of engaging themselves in activities of drug abuse, an act which tends to interfere with the success of their future lives.
The period of adolescence is associated with several changes in the human body, and some of these changes tend to dictate the behavior of these individuals (Butler, 2006). The major change that dictates the behaviors of both boys and girls during this period is sexual development. Both boys and girls become sexually active during adolescence period, and this tends to affect their relationship with one another. The society does not expect boys and girls to engage themselves in sexual behaviors since this is not based on the moral expectations (Butler, 2006). Its therefore clear that this period of development is associated with several challenges. Boys and girls at this stage of life are encouraged to face such challenges accordingly for them to become responsible individuals in the future.
During my adolescence period, both my parents and teachers were essential to allowing me to go through this process. Both acted as guardians in that they notified me when I was engaging myself in behaviors that risked my future success. Both encouraged me to relate to the youth who seemed to be responsible and aware of the behaviors that have negative consequences. My parents, in particular, made sure that they informed me about the reliance of this period. They considered it as a period of opportunity that could shape my future life despite the several challenges that I faced. My educators, on the other hand, were keen on advising me about the changes that I should expect during this period. Physical changes in my body could be difficult to understand, and the educators were relevant in helping me become aware of such changes.
During this period, I was encouraged to participate in several programs that were essential in my understanding of the process of gender socialization. Most of the programs were aimed at intervening in the lives of the youth since this was important due to the challenges that faced them. As an adolescent, drug abuse and peer pressure were the major challenges in my life. It was difficult for me to avoid such activities since they occurred frequently in my surroundings. However, my parents ensured that such challenges did not influence my development as an adolescent. They coordinated appropriately with my teachers, and this was essential to me since I was able to avoid engagement in practices that could threaten my future.
Currently, I’ve managed to understand the process of gender socialization in such a way that I’m well aware of all expectations from the society and my surroundings. I’m capable of differentiating the bad practices from those that are accepted in the society. This means that I have the capability to live in accordance with the rules that are set by different members of the society and this allows me to interact with them accordingly. In terms of genders, I’ve managed to understand how to interact with both males and females. This means that I can tell the limits that exist when it comes to associating with individuals of the same gender and those of a different gender. Though I’ve not completely passed my adolescence period, I can conclude that I’ve gained enough experience that has enabled me to understand the process of gender socialization. This means that the process of gender socialization has decreased compared to the period where changes such as sexuality were active in my body.
Gender socialization has nurtured me in such a way that it has been vital in determining my class position. When I was a kid, I was taught how to relate to people from all classes, specifically those from middle and high class. This was made possible due to the fact that other kids from my surroundings were from these classes. My behaviors reflected my class position in that people could describe me based on the manner in which I interacted with other kids from all classes in the society. My parents raised me with the understanding that both the female and male gender are equal. I, therefore, grew up with the understanding that gender inequality is an adverse occurrence in the society. My respect for both genders was relevant in my treatment and interaction with both male and female individuals in nearly all activities.
According to Collins, gender socialization should be a process that focuses on eliminating the issue of gender inequality specifically the discrimination of women (Collins, 2002). My understanding of this process has allowed me to understand the argument from Collins since I’ve been able to respect both genders and support the fight against gender inequality in places such as learning institutions (Collins, 2002). Butler also shares the same thoughts concerning gender inequality. According to him, people should be taught how to respect both genders from their childhood since this allows them to value the disparity in gender. Butler was also concerned the discrimination of women in sectors such as working environments (Butler, 2006). I’ve managed to understand the reasoning of these individuals through the process of gender socialization, and my surrounding factors such as responsible parents and teachers have been beneficial to my understanding.
References
Butler, J. (2006). Perf \ ormative acts and gender constitution: An essay in phenomenology and feminist theory. In The Routledgefalmer Reader in Gender & Education (pp. 73-83). Routledge.
Collins, P. H. (2002). Black feminist thought: Knowledge, consciousness, and the politics of empowerment . Routledge.
