‘The peer group is the most influential agent of socialisation in shaping gender identity.’ Explain this view.
CAMBRIDGE
A level and AS level
2022
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The Peer Group: A Powerful Agent of Gender Socialization
This essay will argue that the peer group is a significant, but not necessarily the most, influential agent of socialization in shaping gender identity.
The Influence of Peer Groups on Gender Identity
Peer groups are often perceived as a significant force in shaping gender identity. Peer pressure can lead individuals to conform to gender norms and expectations to fit in. The existence of gender subcultures within peer groups can further solidify specific gendered identities through shared beliefs, behaviors, and interests.
Evidence for the Influence of Peer Groups
School as a Context for Peer Influence
Peer gendering is particularly prominent in school settings where individuals interact intensively with their peers.
Informal Social Sanctions
Peer groups can enforce gendered identities through informal social sanctions, such as expectations regarding roles and appearances. For example, girls may face pressure to conform to traditional feminine ideals of beauty.
Concealing Alternative Identities
Individuals may conceal alternative identities, such as boys suppressing their interest in education, to align with their peer group's norms.
Bedroom Culture
The concept of bedroom culture, where gendered behaviors and attitudes are reinforced in private spaces, contributes to shaping gender identity.
Social Control Mechanisms
Social control mechanisms within peer groups, including positive and negative sanctions, can influence how individuals express their gender identity.
Beyond Peer Influence: Other Agents of Socialization
While the peer group plays a crucial role, other agents of socialization, such as family, media, and education, also significantly influence gender identity formation.
Conclusion
The peer group is a powerful agent of socialization that shapes gender identity by reflecting and reinforcing broader social expectations. However, it is not the sole determinant of gender identity. Other agents of socialization also play a significant role in shaping individuals' understanding and expression of their gender.
The Influence of Peer Groups on Gender Identity
This essay argues that the peer group is a profoundly influential agent of socialisation, playing a pivotal role in shaping gender identity. While other agents like family and education contribute, the intense, everyday interactions within peer groups, particularly during adolescence, make them powerful forces in shaping how young people understand and express their gender.
Peer Pressure and Conformity
A key aspect of the peer group's influence is the pressure to conform. Individuals, particularly during the formative adolescent years, are acutely aware of their social standing and seek acceptance. This desire to fit in can lead them to adopt behaviours and attitudes considered "normal" within their peer group, even if these contradict their personal beliefs or family influences. For example, boys might feel pressured to participate in traditionally masculine activities, even if they have no genuine interest, to avoid being ostracized or labelled as different. This pressure can be particularly strong for individuals who do not conform to traditional gender norms, potentially leading to feelings of isolation or the need to conceal aspects of their identity.
Gender Subcultures and Reinforcement
Furthermore, peer groups often develop distinct gender subcultures, with their own sets of norms, values, and behaviours. These subcultures can further reinforce specific gendered identities. For instance, research by McRobbie (1991) on "bedroom culture" highlighted how girls, in their private spaces, engaged in activities like reading magazines and discussing boys, reinforcing traditional notions of femininity. Similarly, boys' friendship groups might revolve around sports or video games, solidifying stereotypical notions of masculinity.
Social Control and Sanctions
The influence of peer groups is also exerted through mechanisms of social control. Lees (1986) illustrated how girls use informal sanctions, such as gossip and ridicule, to police each other's behaviour, particularly concerning appearances and relationships with boys. This constant scrutiny and potential for negative judgment can lead individuals to suppress aspects of their identity that deviate from the group's norms. Conversely, positive reinforcement from peers for conforming to gender expectations can further solidify these behaviours.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while acknowledging the role of other agents, the peer group emerges as a particularly potent force in shaping gender identity. The pressure to conform, the reinforcement of gendered norms within peer subcultures, and the mechanisms of social control all contribute to how individuals understand and express their gender. As individuals navigate the complex landscape of adolescence, seeking acceptance and belonging, the peer group exerts a significant influence on their developing sense of self, shaping not only their social interactions but also their understanding of who they are within the broader social fabric.
References
- Lees, S. (1986). Losing Out: Sexuality and Adolescent Girls. London: Hutchinson. - McRobbie, A. (1991). Feminism and Youth Culture. London: Macmillan.
Free Mark Scheme Extracts
The peer group is the most influential agent of socialisation in shaping gender identity.
Explanation of the view:
- Peer pressure plays a significant role in shaping gender identity, as individuals may conform to certain gender norms and expectations in order to fit in with their peer group.
- Gender subcultures within peer groups can further reinforce specific gendered identities through shared beliefs, behaviors, and interests.
Key points and examples:
- Peer gendering is often most pronounced in a school setting, where individuals interact intensively with their peers.
- Peer groups may enforce gendered identities through informal social sanctions, such as expectations regarding roles and appearance. For instance, girls may face pressure to conform to traditional feminine ideals of beauty.
- Individuals may conceal alternative identities, such as boys masking their interest in educational success, to align with their peer group's norms.
- The concept of bedroom culture, wherein gendered behaviors and attitudes are reinforced within private spaces, can also contribute to shaping gender identity.
- Social control mechanisms within peer groups, including positive and negative sanctions, can influence how individuals express their gender identity.
References for further reading:
- Scholars such as Lees, Willis, McRobbie, Lamb, Frosh, Reynolds, Francis, Hughes et al have conducted research highlighting the impact of peer groups on gender socialization.
Overall, the peer group's influence on shaping gender identity is profound, as it reflects broader social expectations and norms that individuals navigate in their daily interactions.