Gender Construction

"If the world were run by women, it would be a more peaceful place." "All men want to do is take over countries and wage war." I hear these statements regularly, especially in the latest election. However, the assumption that women are not only peaceful but also better qualified to take care of the country because they are caretakers is sexist. Essentialism, or the idea that women are x,y,z, is sexism.

So why is it that so many women who oppose sexism believe that any woman would make the world a better place? I truly do not believe that somebody is qualified to run the country simply because they are a woman and therefore an experienced caretaker. In addition, just because somebody is a woman does not mean she supports women's equality. I know many men that call themselves feminists and would staunchly protect women's rights better than many women leaders. Yes, those leaders are women but that does not make them feminists. I do not believe that gender should be a qualifiying factor for anything. Gender is constructed; therefore gender can be deconstructed. If gender can be deconstructed what is left underneath the word woman in these instances? A human being who does not support full equality for women.

Society has used gender construction to control women and men for centuries: a woman who speaks her mind is aggressive or a "bitch" and a man who cries is effeminate and somehow less of a man. We begin constructing gender from the time that a child is in the womb. I have seen this among my own friends and family. Upon finding out the baby will be a boy a proud father jovially and loudly declares, "How's my little slugger?," while punching his fists in the air. A proud mother-to-be speaks softly to her soon-to-be little girl saying, "How is mommy's little angel?"

So how do we deconstruct gender?  Stop saying women are this or men are that. Stop forcing children into stereotypical gender roles. Recognize how pop culture, media, and institutions define gender and speak out about it. Go further than speaking out, quit supporting it. If a television show portrays rigid gender roles recognize why it is wrong, tell others why it is wrong, and tell your children why it is wrong. If the media rigidly defines gender write a letter protesting their narrow-mindedness. Finally, be mindful of your words. It is very easy to say women are more peaceful than men, but it is much more difficult to undo the consequences of your words. -Erin Parrish

And now for some gender construction fun: