The Gendered Relationship and Social Norms
The gendered relationship can be considered to be a subset of social norms under which men and women are united as social groups in the society, covering aspects of power and control over resources. Throughout history, males and females have struggled to comprehend the complex differences, but embrace the wonders of the uniqueness. Biologists’ efforts to distinguish the difference between the two sexes are only but genetic make-up explanations. However, psychologists have managed to gain ground in understanding the work of the mind and dynamics which influence the relationship between males and females; reinforced by the social status aspects.
Gendered Relationships in American Societies
In the American societies, gendered relationships are defined through historical representations; emphasizing on culture and gender roles in the day to day undertakings. The original perception and identities of males and females have remained unchanged throughout time, which are based on sexes. From the past, men are portrayed to be dominant, and women are represented to be subordinate; where men are mandated with leadership tasks, while women are to be passive and nurturing.
Cultural Hierarchies, Biases, and Expectations
Towards the modern-time, these roles have been modernized, instead of being modified or restructured. The standard gendered relationships and gender roles have however remained successful in the society, due to cultural systems which are aligned to satisfying basic needs. Therefore, this paper seeks to deliberate further into the statement, “The body is a blank surface on which cultural expectations, biases, and hierarchies are inscribed." The paper seeks to discuss gendered relationship while illustrating the cultural hierarchies, biases and expectations, evidence in the study of bodies.
The Influence of Cultural Forces on Body Image
Body image can be described as an individual’s perception and evaluation regarding a person’s attribute along with other physical ideals. Cultural forces have influenced the appearance of the human body through underlying gender-contingent aspects, for instance, women have a more dysfunctional reputation and attitude as compared to male counterparts. Furthermore, studies have revealed that there exist minimal relationships linking body-image to cultural gender beliefs or feminist identity as witnessed in the society (Martin, Carol Lynn, Richard, Fabes & Laura 162). However, gender attitudes influenced the relationship and interaction involving males and females, evidenced by strong personal standards. Therefore, it can be said that a body a blank surface, where cultural and traditional forces inscribe their beliefs, expectation, differentiation males from females, along with their roles, abilities, and capacities. The cultural effects also define the gender status, power, control over resources and the projected expectation based on sexes.
Gender Biases and Hierarchies
Gender biases and hierarchies are the perception that males and females are not equal, which are significantly reinforced by cultural forces, despite the fact that studies have indicated that both sexes are similar, both in ability and capacities (Reuben, Ernesto, Matthew & Basit 2156). The biases are evident in the cultural gender roles accompanied with the expectations and outcomes grounded on socially constructed body-image. About hierarchy, men are portrayed in the leadership position, which women are seen to be fragile nurturing beings who are passive. The reputation of females has been depicted lag behind men in many aspects, from the labor market, education to top leadership positions like political representations.
The Influence of Prenatal Hormones
Prenatal hormones have been established to be responsible for the feminine and masculine behavior of the different genders. Nevertheless, psychologists found out that there is no difference between the sexes when it comes to general intelligence, both parties are intellectually capable (Pedulla, David & Sarah 122). The only difference is that men are more likely to take risks as compared to women, aggression is also a trait which separates the two. Regarding the other aspects of the society, be it leadership positions or expectation, both the sexes are capable. As such, the hierarchical and biases witnesses are brought about by the cultural imaging which portrays females to be weaker beings who lag behind stronger male counterparts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the paper can is in agreement with the declaration above, affirming that the human body is a blank sphere which the culture has inscribed, thus portraying gendered differences, along with hierarchies, expectations, and biases. It has been established that both sexes are intellectual and physically capable in participating in the day to day activities in the society, be it leadership responsibilities or other communal undertakings. However, there is a distinct difference between the two spheres, brought about by genetic make-up, for instance, men are more aggressive and masculine than women.
Work Cited
Martin, Carol Lynn, Richard A. Fabes, and Laura D. Hanish. "Gendered-peer relationships in educational contexts." Advances in child development and behavior. Vol. 47. JAI, 2014. 151-187.
Pedulla, David S., and Sarah Thébaud. "Can we finish the revolution? Gender, work-family ideals, and institutional constraint." American Sociological Review 80.1 (2015): 116-139.
Reuben, Ernesto, Matthew Wiswall, and Basit Zafar. "Preferences and biases in educational choices and labour market expectations: Shrinking the black box of gender." The Economic Journal
127.604 (2017): 2153-2186.
