**Effect of Genderation and Perception**
First of all, I used to be quite the tomboy in my elementary school days, not only played with cars and Legos, but had a barbie dream house too.
So I suppose playing with both hot wheels and barbies as a kid would not be seen as much deviant for a female child as it would for a male child, which reveals a double standard in male and female interests, prevalent in many aspects of our societal culture. Another more obvious example of this is the fact that women are free to wear either pants or skirts while men, generally are limited to the latter. I still love and admire cars, shopping, and accessories too, but still believe as with many, that my life would be different if I were a member of the opposite gender.
I guess as a female I would say I am pretty attached to my gender, but also have many diverse interests that could be considered gender neutral such as music, dance, reading etc. Most people define being attached to their gender in terms of interest assigned as either masculine or feminine (fashion vs. sports etc.) while many interests can be gender neutral (music, dance, movies). It terms of interest though, I believe females have an advantage due to the double standard held in culture that allows women to have a wider variety or range of interests that are not seen as deviant with the treat of emasculating one's persona. For example, a female interested in both "chick flicks" and action films may not be seen as deviant as say a male who simply enjoys romantic comedies due to the risk of appearing effeminate by both peers and cultural standards.
This may be in part a result of the fact a women's identification with her gender i.e. femininity does not have to be proven or is not threatened by other women as the case with masculinity. As a part of the assumption "all women must be inherently feminine" while sharing similar characteristics has a wider range for definition than the male assumption or in other words what is defined as masculine (with a long list of "dont's" in order not to appear feminine). Basically women are not pressured to be feminine so much as fitting into the role of an ideal female.
Another advantage is that women are typically allowed more outlets for emotional and self expression than men, without the pressure or treat to their gender identity(masculinity/femininity). Women are generally more free to express and/or display their emotions in society (although this privilege is overtly looked down upon an perceived or characterized as weakness for further justification of oppression).
Although, I think I would be taken more seriously by others in I were a member or the opposite gender, I do notice that others are more willing to make concessions for my requests than a male. (may be due to others being more sympathetic to needs of female since they are considered "dependant" whereas males "independent"). In the matter of being taken more seriously, in some situations I feel my abilities are underestimated or less recognized as a female, than they would be as a male (which may be effected by other factors such as body type, which in my case is relatively small, and ascribed status as a minority). For example, I noticed in some of my classes when hands are raised , males are picked more frequently and more quickly than female students, particularly if the instructor is a male, and their replies are taken more strongly into consideration. In addition to this, many times I have witnessed and experienced the instance of male students putting down or dismissing the ideas of female students in class mostly to assert one idea over another or to object to a statement entirely in a condescending manner.
Also in terms of conflicts, and solving problematic interactions, I believe women have an advantage in being slightly more rational in approach than males who are more likely to be physically confrontational in problem solving. Although female conflict and interaction in general is more indirect (through minced words, gossip, sarcasm etc. ) than with males who are more direct (which does prevent the prolonging of the conflict), so is the approach to solving (mostly through talking out the solution). Another factor as a decent of Latino heritage with parents who have grown up in the Latin culture, gender has a more structured meaning in the sense of privileges and responsibilities. My brother for instance, is inherently held to different Rapunzel's than my older sister ( I am also the youngest), so this would also be a factor in differing treatment if I were a male.
Overall, I enjoy being a female and the range of opportunities is provides despite the disadvantages though society and culture, because I believe a as a modern society we will continue to progress a past these gender barriers, towards inequality and transcend double standards over time.
First of all, I used to be quite the tomboy in my elementary school days, not only played with cars and Legos, but had a barbie dream house too.
So I suppose playing with both hot wheels and barbies as a kid would not be seen as much deviant for a female child as it would for a male child, which reveals a double standard in male and female interests, prevalent in many aspects of our societal culture. Another more obvious example of this is the fact that women are free to wear either pants or skirts while men, generally are limited to the latter. I still love and admire cars, shopping, and accessories too, but still believe as with many, that my life would be different if I were a member of the opposite gender.
I guess as a female I would say I am pretty attached to my gender, but also have many diverse interests that could be considered gender neutral such as music, dance, reading etc. Most people define being attached to their gender in terms of interest assigned as either masculine or feminine (fashion vs. sports etc.) while many interests can be gender neutral (music, dance, movies). It terms of interest though, I believe females have an advantage due to the double standard held in culture that allows women to have a wider variety or range of interests that are not seen as deviant with the treat of emasculating one's persona. For example, a female interested in both "chick flicks" and action films may not be seen as deviant as say a male who simply enjoys romantic comedies due to the risk of appearing effeminate by both peers and cultural standards.
This may be in part a result of the fact a women's identification with her gender i.e. femininity does not have to be proven or is not threatened by other women as the case with masculinity. As a part of the assumption "all women must be inherently feminine" while sharing similar characteristics has a wider range for definition than the male assumption or in other words what is defined as masculine (with a long list of "dont's" in order not to appear feminine). Basically women are not pressured to be feminine so much as fitting into the role of an ideal female.
Another advantage is that women are typically allowed more outlets for emotional and self expression than men, without the pressure or treat to their gender identity(masculinity/femininity). Women are generally more free to express and/or display their emotions in society (although this privilege is overtly looked down upon an perceived or characterized as weakness for further justification of oppression).
Although, I think I would be taken more seriously by others in I were a member or the opposite gender, I do notice that others are more willing to make concessions for my requests than a male. (may be due to others being more sympathetic to needs of female since they are considered "dependant" whereas males "independent"). In the matter of being taken more seriously, in some situations I feel my abilities are underestimated or less recognized as a female, than they would be as a male (which may be effected by other factors such as body type, which in my case is relatively small, and ascribed status as a minority). For example, I noticed in some of my classes when hands are raised , males are picked more frequently and more quickly than female students, particularly if the instructor is a male, and their replies are taken more strongly into consideration. In addition to this, many times I have witnessed and experienced the instance of male students putting down or dismissing the ideas of female students in class mostly to assert one idea over another or to object to a statement entirely in a condescending manner.
Also in terms of conflicts, and solving problematic interactions, I believe women have an advantage in being slightly more rational in approach than males who are more likely to be physically confrontational in problem solving. Although female conflict and interaction in general is more indirect (through minced words, gossip, sarcasm etc. ) than with males who are more direct (which does prevent the prolonging of the conflict), so is the approach to solving (mostly through talking out the solution). Another factor as a decent of Latino heritage with parents who have grown up in the Latin culture, gender has a more structured meaning in the sense of privileges and responsibilities. My brother for instance, is inherently held to different Rapunzel's than my older sister ( I am also the youngest), so this would also be a factor in differing treatment if I were a male.
Overall, I enjoy being a female and the range of opportunities is provides despite the disadvantages though society and culture, because I believe a as a modern society we will continue to progress a past these gender barriers, towards inequality and transcend double standards over time.
These are very interesting observations about your advantages/disadvantages regarding your gender. I never quite noticed that people are more responsive to my requests than men, but I guess that that might be true now come to think of it!
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