Nature Vs Nurture

Nature vs. Nurture

Within this essay, two explanations for gender development will be thoroughly analysed. The biological explanations, in depth express the importance of; Hormones and Chromosomes. In argument, the Social Construction of gender development focuses on gender that has been constructed for socialisation. For both explanations, the essay will emphasise on the main idea, the key thinkers behind the explanations and also the strengths and weaknesses.

Koopman et al (1991), state that people are frequently struggling to tell the difference between the terms sex and gender. Sex relates to the difference between males and females, biologically (penis and vagina). Whereas, society or culture can determine an individual’s gender meaning that an individual’s gender can change from birth unlike an individual’s sex. He continues to say that in a given society, diversity is accepted a lot more and rather than seeing gender as two categories, we as individuals see gender as a scale. Therefore, this enables men to show their “feminine side” and women to show their “masculine side” freely. Agreeing, Shaywitz et al. (1995) state that it was seen as deviant if anyone was to behave differently to what was seen as the social norm for each sex, as people had very clear ideas of what was appropriate. Oestrogen and Testosterone are the sex hormones that occur within men and women. The effect and the amount of hormones released differ between sexes. Present mainly in males is testosterone; a sex hormone. When testosterone is released into the womb, it causes the development of male sex organs, resulting in the masculinisation of the brain. Quadango et al. (1977) found that during prenatal development, female monkeys that were purposely exposed to testosterone developed a more rough play than other females.

Going on Hines (1982) says that effecting everywhere in the body, including parts of the brain that control emotions, is the hormone known as ‘Oestrogen’. A female’s ovaries release oestrogen in accordance with each monthly menstrual cycle.. Having the (xx) women chromosome and the (xy) male chromosome, women and men are chromosomally different. Promoting the construction of testosterone and other male sex hormones (androgens) is the Y chromosome and for females the X chromosome.  Koopman et al. (1991) believes that Biopsychologists believe that the differences in development of the brain the androgens produced in a male and female are the cause of a males aggressive behaviour. Having atypical chromosomes can result in syndromes, such as ‘Turners (XO) or Klinefelters (XXY) syndromes’ due to the chromosomes developing differently.  Money and Ehrhardt (1972), state that the strengths for the biological explanations are that due to success, the explanation has gained more attention and they suggest that it may be possible to generalise the results to humans whereas Hines (1982) argues that people may say that it is not morally right to use animals in research and that it has low ecological validity.

 

Jennings and Niemi (1968) declare that Constructionism; the social construction of gender, suggests that everything people know, do or see as ‘reality’ is socially constructed. As gender is never a firm descriptor of an individual, one naturally performs frequent stereotypical gender actions, which have become socially accepted. It is not about acting upon these actions in a particular way; it is about believing and representing the norms of gender. Therefore, these performances then regulate the vitality of gender categories. Believing that certain gendered behaviours are natural is Judith Butler (1999), she emphasises that been feminine or masculine, as a learned performance can be seen as an act, which has been imposed upon us by normative heterosexuality. Following Jacques Lacan’s (1964) term the ‘symbolic order’, Butler (1999) refers to the phrase ‘subject’, instead of an ‘individual’ in order to emphasis the linguistic nature of our position and our own perception of what we see as reality. Butler (1999) goes on to argue that despite what goes on about acting out various gender roles, we can not assume that they are established prejudice. Therefore, contributing to who we actually are is the act of performing gender. Butler (1999), argues that as a natural thing, gender does not exist. "Gender reality is performative which means, quite simply, that it is real only to the extent that it is performed". Furthermore, as Butler (1999) outlines the importance of performative and the artificial nature of gender identity, she challenges the status quo, fighting for the rights of the marginalised identities. In accordance to Butler (1999), Jackson (2002) articulates that gender is in fact social and not natural as it is learned. With learned gender, come gender roles. These gender roles are what women and men engage in, based on the cultural expectations, leading to patterned behaviour, which in turn is passed onto the next generation.  Aside Butler (1999), Wrong (1961), stated that in order to understand what sociologists mean by the phrase ‘social construction of gender’, people need to be observed. He continues to say, when watching people with their young children you may hear them say “She’s so sweet” or “He’s such a boy” whilst watching a little girl play with her toys, or a boy running around imitating a plane. Jennings and Niemi (1968), declare that the different processes that are associated with a boy and a girl (later man and women) are passed on through society. He believes that these processes begin when a child is born, pervading society. Stating that due to modern technology used in pregnancy, social construction of gender development can begin before the child is even born. Jackson (2002) believes a strength of the social construction explanation, an individual has free will to change their behaviour and it is not deterministic. However, sociologists tend to ignore any other explanation due to lack of knowledge in that field.

To conclude research shows that both explanations of gender development believe that gender is passed on, whether it is through genetics or observed behaviour. This essay goes to show that society can still have an impact on behaviour and gender development, however way one has gained it.