Deja Plazo

English 115
Beadle
17 September 2015
Gender: A Choice or Forced?
Whether it is by choice or not, every individual is given expectations based on his
or her gender. For instance, boys are expected to play with toy trucks, or soldiers, while
girls are expected to be interested in toy cosmetics, or games that emulate domesticity,
like play kitchen scenes. For this reason alone, it is highly likely that we continuously
live with the binary ideals of male and female (though transgender identities are
becoming more common). Furthermore, our perceptions of ourselves, along with gender
on a general level, are constructed from the moment we are brought into the world by the
people, advertisements, and influences around us. We may subconsciously conform to
one gender either to avoid gender discrimination, or ambiguity, resulting in
predetermined social constructs. In their article, Women, Men, and Society, Claire
Renzetti and Daniel Curran contradict Barbara Kantrowitz and Pat Wingerts assumption
of one day encountering a genderless future.
The first tactic used by parents specifically, in order to depict their childs gender
is clothing. Clothing is purchased with a particular patterns or color that suggests a
certain gender. Similarly, diapers and onesies consist of such elements, like patterns and
colors. Adults choose to dress their children in particular colors and articles of clothing,
because they want to steer away from anything that may inflict ambiguity upon their

child (OHara 77). The human race demands certainty; and with that being said, with
ambiguity comes discrimination.
Ambiguity brings about discrimination in that assumptions are made when
humans do not appear synonymous with typical characteristics within a gender. Also,
when someone of an obvious gender partakes in activities or behaviors of the opposite
gender, discrimination occurs. Humans gain a complex from a young age that affiliates
males with masculinity and females with femininity, thus causing for judgment toward
those who do not fit these categories, or gender discrimination. Because almost all are
aware of these gendered roles, many conform or gender socialize with what they were
taught from a young age. People tend to gravitate toward the identity by which they were
raised, or heavily encouraged. However, there are few who do not categorize with each
gender. Unfortunately, society automatically imposes negative attributes toward those
who do not categorize so the continuation of gender is inevitable.
Some argue that because transgender individuals are appearing more in society,
we may someday face a community without evident gender specification. Those who are
not comfortable with their biological sex transform themselves in order to feel more
accepted in society. Although not accepted by many, it is seen more because people in
pop culture admit to their own transformations. A few celebrities in todays media have
done so, influencing others to do the same. As a result of a spark in awareness on this
topic, society has become more responsive. Unisex bathrooms and the disintegration of
gender generalization (for instance color differentiation between genders) are more
commonly seen.

However, with every action there is a reaction. So, there are individuals who
disagree with this belief of expressing a gender that was not biological; so, to depict his
or her opinion, they will perform somewhat drastic measures. Seen among males, they
will exploit their masculinity in order to avoid ambiguity at all costs because with
ambiguity is inadequacy to society. For example, consumption of testosterone
supplements or excessive body-building. They withhold a complex that displaying any
characteristic that adheres to femininity will be the demise of their identity and social
status. Women on the other hand, will amplify their most effeminate qualities for the
same reasons a male would with his masculinity. A woman may grow long hair, wear
high heels, and wear clothing that flaunts her physique.
To conclude, we express gender essentially because it is what is taught; not
because it is so much a choice, and because of this gender distinguishing or categorizing
is imminent. Certain ideals, depending on the manner in which some are raised, are
thrust upon individuals by influence or association. Furthermore, these individuals
respect and conform to the expected in order to fit in. Those who choose not to
conform are looked at negatively and are confined to the walls given to them because of
the patterns and behaviors in which he or she chooses to partake. Secondly, some reject
the expression of something other than that of what is biological. These people will
perform extreme measures to ensure that there is no uncertainty when it comes to their
identification. Finally, it is argued that because of the demonstration of the Transgender
Community in pop culture, the community will grow. While this may be true, Claire
Renzetti and Daniel Curran iterate that these people are still conforming to one gender,

not sex. Thus, the world will remain one in which categorizes people by gender, though
it may no longer pertain to just a binary perspective.

Works Cited
Groner, Rachel, and John F. O'Hara. Composing Gender: A Bedford Spotlight Reader.
Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, Print.2014.