Human beings are social creatures. Feminist sociologists have developed several theories to explain social events, interactions, and patterns individuals make in their daily activities. The approaches vary in scope based on the scale of the events or interactions. Macro-level theories focus on large groups of people and issues, while micro-level theories relate to specific relationships among individuals or small groups. The symbolic interaction theory is a micro-level approach that explains relationships and their patterns among individuals in a given society. Interactions involve individuals of different races, gender, and sex. West and Zimmerman’s original study on “doing gender” develops a new perception about gender. The study stipulated critical analytical distinctions which help one to understand how individuals conform to masculinity and femininity. The paper will evaluate the idea of “doing gender” based on West and Zimmerman’s thoughts and the provided texts on gender studies.
According to the symbolic interaction theory, individuals attach meanings to various verbal or non-verbal symbols. Language and symbols help individuals develop meaning and sense in their social world. George Herbert Mead, a pioneer of this theory, believed that human beings tend to interact with subjects based on their understanding and the meaning attached. Human behaviors and actions towards objects are based on the meanings ascribed to them. Social scientists have applied the symbolic interaction theory at large in gender studies to establish the patterns of interactions among individuals take particular forms. For instance, Herman and Reynolds view individuals as actively shaping their social world rather than being passive.
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However, as human beings interact in their social world, gender issues such as discrimination have arisen. In the pre-modern world and some modern societies, positive interactions of women with the community have been hampered by patriarchy. Indeed, it is challenging to notice inequalities without evaluating the meaning and roles ascribed to women in a particular society. Feminist theorists explain how negative interactions jeopardize the well-being of women in the communities. In the book “Thinking about Women,” Andersen uses sociological perspectives to explain how gender and sex affect interactions ( Andersen, 2014). The book introduces how gender influences women’s and men’s self-concepts and relationships and promotes inequalities and life opportunities. Andersen stipulates that gender is socially constructed through early learning and interaction patterns that are continuously reinforced as the individual passes through social institutions. Therefore, gender makes differences that affect men’s and women’s lives. Besides, Andersen believes that gender intersects with other social factors rather than race and class ( Andersen, 2014). Some of the intersecting factors include sexual orientation, age, nationality, and religion.
Similarly, Braithwaite and Orr explore the critical ironies, paradoxes, and contradictions embedded in interactions, primarily through the language that affects women in their book “Everyday Women’s and Gender Studies” ( Braithwaite & Orr, 2016). The book is hinged on a robust feminist pedagogy. The authors hold that people are different, and the social world creates inequalities. Since the conditions are not the same for everyone, some individuals may take things for granted, which affects relationships. Therefore, every day should become a platform for cultivating intellectual capacities, knowledge, identities, and equalities. Besides, it should consist of bodies, places, and representations that improve relations ( Braithwaite & Orr, 2016).
West and Zimmerman’s study on “doing gender” is one of the famous works in gender studies. The two sociologists first introduced gender as a product of daily social practices and behaviors that embrace masculinity and femininity rather than a trait, social representation, or role ( Macht, 2019). West and Zimmerman hold that this product emanates from social structures, and it strives to reinforce them. Since the “doing gender” concept legitimizes social networks, it views the male and female dichotomy as natural. Traditional gender sociologists categorize man and woman and unequivocal. The stipulated differences between sexes are hinged on the division of labor, which is determined by male and female behaviors. These behaviors have social and psychological implications on individuals.
West and Zimmerman define “doing gender” as developing a new understanding of gender as a routine accomplishment rooted in our daily interactions. It involves perceptual, interactional, and micro-political activities that express individual pursuits in either masculine or feminine nature ( Macht, 2019). West and Zimmerman reject the classic distinction between the socially constructed genders about biological sex. They instead believe in the existence of more complex relations between physical and social features. Thus, gender is an accomplishment rather than a trait, role, or social representation ( Macht, 2019). It is established through interaction and is reinforced through it.
West and Zimmerman, unlike their predecessors at large, focused on how individuals created gender differences. As a result, they developed three analytical distinctions, which they believed were core in understanding gendered being in society. First, sex is a distinction based on conventional biological criteria for distinguishing a male and female. Second, the sex category is a distinction founded on socially required portraits that identify masculinity or femininity. However, the sex category assumes sex but is not determined by it. Finally, gender is also a vital distinction behind understanding masculinity and femininity. Gender is a reaction due to particular situations concerning conventional and normative expectations with regards to sex category. “Doing gender” promotes assignment to one of the sex categories.
The “doing gender” concept is relevant in my daily activities. Either knowingly or unknowingly, I conform to West and Zimmerman’s study. Initially, my behavior corresponds to masculinity. Generally, I am strong, aggressive, and bold in handling matters at hand. It is a social norm that men should withstand any challenges on their way since they are strong. On the other hand, women in our society are seen as accommodating and emotional in that they may be unable to handle some challenging situations. Apart from that, my dressing style creates a distinction of sex, sex category, and gender. Usually, I wear pants and shirts. On the other hand, our society expects women to wear dresses. Lastly, I still have a notion that some careers gender-based. For instance, when someone talks of a nurse, I quickly conclude is a woman.
In general, human beings are social creatures. The symbolic interaction theory is critical in women’s and gender studies. Accordingly, human beings create relationship patterns based on their meanings. In “Thinking about Women,” Andersen elaborates on how gender operates in society. Similarly, Braithwaite and Orr, in “Everyday Women and Gender Studies,” expounds on individual differences and the nature of humanity. According to West and Zimmerman “doing gender” concept means performing complex societal activities of interaction, perception, and micro-politics, which define particular pursuits and activities in either feminine or masculine contexts. West and Zimmerman identify sex, sex category, and gender as the analytical distinctions critical in helping individuals to recognize and understand the meaning of a gendered being.
References
Andersen, M. L. (2014). Thinking about women: Sociological perspectives on sex and gender. The University of Delaware.
Braithwaite, A., & Orr, C. (2016). Everyday women’s and gender studies: Introductory concepts . Routledge.
Macht, A. (2019). Doing Gender . Oxford University Press.
