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What Shaped Our Notion Of Gender Essay

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What shaped our notion of gender? Throughout history, our society perceived gender as the sex that was assigned at birth. Each gender had a certain ideal format on how to proceed as an individual to fit the "normal" standard for each gender. This includes a person’s means to personal interests including which activities, occupations or mates they were permitted to have in addition to their physical appearance. Our school teachers, religion, family, friends, and the media is what has shaped the concept of gender. Our peers decided whether one has to be feminine or masculine by declaring what toys, chores, language and sports a person may take part in. It was instructed that only women marry, have children, and have sympathy. In the past centuries, women were labeled as "manly" if they were not submissive or dependent on others. Men were considered "woman-like" if they appeared weak, not in control, or displayed any signs of emotions or feelings. Men had to be strong, brave, …show more content…

I believe that the perceptions of male and females have and will continue to improve but will never be completely resolved. Human beings have contrasting beliefs in terms of religion, politics, and culture that significantly influence a person’s mindset on what they consider morally justified. For example, racism has been an active dilemma since the 1600s and this notion has not fully resided but has significantly improved. In a legal aspect any changes made to alter the requirements of what men and women were allowed to pursue started in the 20th century when women received the right to vote and women could have a male occupation while men were in war. The awareness and changes in accordance to the morals of males and females would be the 21st century when gay rights became legal and seen as morally accepted by a good portion of the U.S or when human beings had the choice to switch their original gender or biological

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