Personal Gender Theory Redux

My initial personal-gender story was so very closely related to the aspects that I

took away from this class. Initially, I wrote about gender equality, especially of my own

experiences with women in male-domniated industries and in business. I found that the

gender binary is constructed from an early age, and societal norms and stressors. It’s safe

to say my views/ideas in my personal-gender theory have not wavered as much as I

thought. Coincidentally, I was able to absorb stories and information throughout this

course that perfectly resonated with me and my personal-gender theories. Those of which

tie in sexism, feminism and gender equality.

Currently, my theory on gender is obstructed by the intrusion of my own thoughts of

being a woman today in America. However, I continue to believe that gender is socially and

mentally structured from a ripe age. Gender roles are not new, they have been slowly

rolling down a hill of snow for hundreds of years and continue to roll. But along the way,

with education and understanding I do believe it’s making small strides in zig-zags,

stopping the issue from growing larger.

I believe gender is constructed, however I do not believe biological sex is. That’s a

bold statement, and I’d rather not get into a Ben Shapiro rant on the matter, as everyone

has their own opinions on a matter that have nothing to do with them, especially if they do

not see themselves as something they are not. But I bring this up to differentiate the

conceptions behind ​gender ​and ​sex. ​I think what I can mostly relate to is gender-roles along

with the feminie and masculine mask that each “gender” is perceived to bear. Men need not

be masculine, and women need not be feminine, if they feel that is who they are at their
truest self. But, the gender-roles are what pressure us and sort us into categories of

needing to fit a mold. A housewife, a businessman, these are in themselves examples of the

preconceived ideas of what women ​should be a​ nd of ​who​ men should be.

I do however, find myself thinking of these topics in a more open-minded way.

Women’s issues are not the only issues, nor are those of the transgender community, or

those of males. It’s easier to hear and talk about what comes “naturally”. But it’s important

to self-analyze some times and try to understand why we are the way we are, (without

driving yourself crazy). I was able to do this, and realize how growing up a tom-boy shaped

my highschool career and even my dating life. Not being a very feminine girl, when girls

your age are coming-to-age is a very difficult and interesting experience. I would even say,

I’m a late bloomer as I’m 24 and still trying to figure out what ​type​ of girl I want to be. In

doing so, the material I was able to absorb in this class has taught me that my

personal-gender story will continue to unfold. I am a woman, and that does mean I will be

treated differently. But that does not mean that I am not able to achieve the power and

success I strive for. Gender equality is far from perfect, especially in America, and other

countries. But it is great to say that being a girl in 2020 is the best time to be a girl.