E
Males may be socialised to be tough and strong in order to achieve masculinity. Females may be socialised into the importance of having a feminine identity.
Gender may affect how the body is socially constructed.08 Applying material from Item E, analyse two ways in which gender may affect how the body is socially constructed.
AQA
A Level
2024
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Introduction
Introduce the essay by mentioning the concepts of gender and social construction, and the influence of socialization on these concepts. Briefly mention the two ways in which gender affects the social construction of the body. Then state your thesis: "Gender plays a significant role in how the body is socially constructed, influencing both physical appearance and behavior."
Body Paragraph 1: The Social Construction of Masculinity and Physical Appearance
Start by defining the concept of masculinity. Utilize the provided source material from Item E to showcase how males are socialized to achieve masculinity. This can include expectations of physical strength and toughness.
Connect this concept to the social construction of the body by providing evidence from sources like Fox and Ward, Goffman, and Shilling. Explain how masculine ideals dictate the development of "male" bodies, including muscularity, height, and strength.
Provide examples from contemporary society to illustrate how these ideals manifest. This could include sports culture, advertising, and social media representations.
Body Paragraph 2: The Social Construction of Femininity and Physical Appearance
In this paragraph, define the concept of femininity. Utilize the provided source material from Item E to showcase how females are socialized into the importance of femininity. This can include expectations regarding physical appearance, weight, and how to dress.
Connect this concept to the social construction of the body by providing evidence from sources like Chernin, Featherstone, and Gill. Explain how feminine ideals dictate the development of "female" bodies, including slenderness, beauty standards, and the importance of grooming.
Provide examples from contemporary society to illustrate how these ideals manifest. This could include fashion trends, beauty magazines, and social media pressures.
Body Paragraph 3: Gendered Behaviors and the Social Construction of the Body
Shift the focus to how gender influences behaviors, and how these behaviors are linked to the social construction of the body. Utilize sources like Foucault, Giddens, and Lorber and Martin to demonstrate how gendered expectations influence behaviors like posture, movement, and emotional expression.
Explain how these behaviors are internalized and become part of an individual's embodied self, further solidifying the social construction of gender. Provide examples such as "feminine" gestures and "masculine" ways of walking.
Conclusion
Summarize the main points of the essay, emphasizing how gender influences the social construction of the body through both physical appearance and behavior. Reiterate the thesis by highlighting the significant influence of gender on bodily experiences.
Conclude by mentioning the ongoing debates about gender and the body, and the potential for social change in challenging these norms.
**Remember:** This outline is a starting point. You can adjust and expand upon it based on your own research and understanding of the topic. **Note:** Make sure to properly cite your sources using academic referencing style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).How Gender May Affect How the Body is Socially Constructed
The concept of the body being socially constructed suggests that our physical selves are not simply biological entities, but are shaped and given meaning by social and cultural factors. Gender, as a fundamental aspect of social identity, plays a significant role in this process. This essay will analyze two ways in which gender influences the social construction of the body, drawing upon the ideas of sociologists such as Goffman, Shilling and Wolf.
Gender Socialization and the Performance of Idealized Bodies
From infancy, individuals are subjected to gender socialization, a process through which they learn the norms, values, and behaviors associated with their assigned sex. Goffman's dramaturgical analysis provides a useful framework for understanding how this process shapes our bodily experiences. Goffman argues that individuals are like actors on a stage, constantly engaged in impression management. We present ourselves in ways that align with societal expectations, and our bodies become tools for conveying particular versions of ourselves.
For men, this often involves embodying traits associated with masculinity, such as strength, dominance, and athleticism. Shilling, in his work on the body as a project of the self, highlights how men are encouraged to modify and control their bodies to conform to these ideals. Gym culture, for instance, can be seen as a space where men work towards achieving muscular physiques, often viewed as a symbol of masculinity.
Women, on the other hand, are often socialized to value beauty, grace, and thinness. Wolf's influential book, "The Beauty Myth," argues that the media perpetuates unrealistic and unattainable beauty standards that primarily target women. This societal pressure to conform to such ideals can lead to body dissatisfaction, eating disorders, and cosmetic surgery.
The Body as a Site of Power and Control
Beyond individual performances, the social construction of the body is also deeply intertwined with power dynamics. Foucault's concept of biopower is particularly relevant here. Biopower refers to the ways in which power operates through the control and regulation of bodies and populations. In a patriarchal society, men have historically held more power and control, and this extends to their influence on how bodies are perceived and valued.
For example, the objectification of women's bodies in advertising and media reinforces male dominance by reducing women to their physical attributes. This objectification serves to maintain existing power structures by emphasizing women's bodies as objects of male desire, rather than autonomous individuals.
Furthermore, anxieties about maintaining clear gender distinctions can lead to the policing of bodies that deviate from the norm. Transgender individuals, for example, often face discrimination and violence due to their non-conformity with traditional gender norms. This demonstrates how the social construction of the body can be used to maintain the status quo and marginalize those who challenge it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, gender is a powerful force shaping how the body is socially constructed. Through socialization processes and the influence of power dynamics, individuals internalize and perform idealized gender norms that manifest in their physical selves. Consequently, the body becomes not merely a biological entity, but a canvas upon which societal expectations and power relations are inscribed.