NATURE VS.
NURTURE: A GENDER DEBATE ON
GENDER DIFFERENCE
Gender difference is a debate which contains arguments
that gender differences are caused by different biological
factors while others argue that they are caused by social
factors. Both the arguments are filled with controversy
and have been subjected to different theories. Gender in
our current society is rather ambiguous and different
factors pertaining to different researches, involving
neuroscience studies, evolutionary psychology and other
biological factors have suggested that gender
development is in fact closely related to biological
factors. The concept of gender in feminist writings
contains that gender is an analytical category that is
socially constructed to differentiate the biological
difference between men and women. The term gender is
also used to describe the differences in behavior
between men and women which are described as
„masculine‟ and „feminine‟.
NATURE AND ITS ROLE
Nature refers to the traits that are inherited or genetic. It
is a fact that most of the aspects of human development
are initially driven by that person’s genetic makeup. Eye
color, hair color, and other physical characteristics are
derived from our genetic makeup. Researchers agree
that heredity determines physiological differences in
males and females. Some of these differences are
present at birth and some differences do not appear until
the child reaches puberty. Heredity causes girls to reach
puberty earlier than boys. It causes boys (once they have
reached puberty) to have more muscles composition and
be taller than girls in general.
Heredity or different hormones accounts for gender
differences as well. Most males have XY chromosomes
structure while females have XX chromosomes structure,
because they inherit X chromosome from each parent.
This implies that some aspects of male’s intelligence are
inherited only from their mothers, whereas females may
inherit intelligence from both parents.
1. GENETIC FACTORS AND GENDER
Genes play a major role in how one physically looks and
whether a person is born male or female. Most
individuals have two sex chromosomes that are inheried
from each parent. Girls contain the XX and XY for boys.
However, genes and chromosomes sometimes contain
differences that can lead to different physical features
that can appear abnormal. One of these syndromes is
called Turner’s syndrome and this syndrome causes
individuals to inherit only one chromosome. When this
occurs, ovaries or testicles will not be developed.
2. HOMOSEXULAITY AND GENDER
Homosexual behavior is largely shaped by genetics and
random environmental factors. According to the Queen
Mary’s School of Biological and Chemical Sciences,
genetics and environmental factors (which are specific to
an individual and may include biological process such as
different hormone exposure in the womb) are important
cause of homosexual behavior.
NURTURE AND ITS ROLE
A social construction is something that does not exist in
the natural state but it is an invention of society. Cultural
practices and norms give rise to the existence of social
construction and govern the practices; customs and rules
concerning the way we view them. Gender is socially
constructed and it is result of socio-cultural influences on
an individual’s development. According to Judith Butler,
society and culture5 create gender roles and these roles
are prescribed as ideal or appropriate behavior for
specific gender.
GENDER SOCIALIZING
1. GENDER IDENTITY
Judith Lorber in her book “The Social Construction of
Gender” says that the social construction of gender
begins with the assigning a sex category on the basis of
what the genitalia looks likes at birth. When a baby is
born, the first thing a doctor does is to look at the baby’s
genitalia in order to determine whether it will be a boy or
a girl. This is the beginning of the gender process of social
construction. After they are classified as boy or girl,
parents become part of this societal process as they start
dressing them with color that identifies their gender. The
baby girls are dressed in pink and baby boys in blue
because society has made colors as a symbol to
distinguish boys from girls. After, as children grew up,
they start learning how they are supposed to act by
observing and imititating the people of the same gender.
Girls should act like their mothers and boys should act
like their fathers. Each gender is expected to dress and
act in certain ways, but these behaviors then lead to
stereotypes.
2. SOCIAL EXPECTATIONS
The social construction of gender could be further seen
by the way parents behave with their children, by their
expectations about how their children should behave
and act and by the toys they buy for them. For example,
girls are supposed to play with dolls and be sweet and
emotional and boys are supposed to play with action
figures and be aggressive and rational. Therefore, cloths,
toys and even the language used with children follow the
trend of stereotyping gender.
3. FAMILY AND GENDER SOCIALIZATION
Family provides the first impression of what it means to
be a male or female in gendered society. Parents have
their notions of how a girl or boy should behave.
Consequently, they apply those ideas in bringing up their
children. They treat girls with politeness, caring and train
them for housework. On the other hand, boys are taught
to be tough, practical and inclined towards outward
activities.
4. EDUCATION AND SCHOOLING
Education is the second factor which forms gender
perception. Starting from the first years of school,
children learn their gender identity from playing and
interacting with other children and care providers. By
visiting a child care program, one may notice that the
environment is arranged in ways to promote gender
identity. The girls play area is mostly the housekeeping
corner and the building blocks and toy tool kits can be
found in boys’ play area.
5. MEDIA AND LANGUAGE
Media portrays females and males in a stereotypical
fashion. Also, the words we use and the way we use
them can reflect gender inequality. The term “Nurse” is
normally considered to be a female, while the term
“Engineer” is normally considered to be a male.
Language is so gender-stereotyped that the placement of
male or female before titles is sometimes necessary as in
the case of “Female Police Officer”.
6. CULTURAL BELIEFS
Cultural beliefs have a serious impact on gender identity
and in many cases promote stereotypic beliefs against
women leading to gender discrimination. When a society
has specific norms, the people living within the society
will adapt them and they will do the same even for
discriminatory norms. For instance, when a society due
to cultural norms, view women as weak or inferior, the
people living within the society and also the coming
generations will develop the same views and will act
accordingly.