Introduction
There have been many discussions about gender differences. Some people argue that boundaries between man and woman are created by nature. But post modern feminists argue that there are no natural building blocks between genders. It is the society that structures human being in a particular way to keep differences. Here the main arguments of post modern feminists on the topic are discussed.
Postmodern feminism and its theory of gender as social construction
It is not right to think biological difference between male and female is same as gender difference between man and woman. In western culture, there are only two genders. Generally people are called man or woman according to their behavior, dress pattern etc. But in many other societies there are people who belong between male and female. For example, in Indian society there is a third gender type known as hijras. They are biologically males but would dress and behave like women and are called as male women in western society. So, gender difference varies according to society. “The building blocks of gender are socially constructed statuses.” (Lorber 3).
Gender classification starts right after the birth of human babies. Babies are named according to the appearance of genitalia. They are dressed like how peers in the same gender are done. After getting the idea about the gender, others begin to behave to the child in a different way from they do with peers in other gender. People keep this difference with the child in the way and the things they talk. This difference also has great role in shaping their sexual feelings. Parents would be careful to direct boys and girls in separate ways to meet their expectations which are derived from the conventional concept of society. Society assigns separate responsibilities for father and mother. Attitude of people towards the difference between male and female can vary according to society and culture. But, no society keeps same approach towards male and female.
Problems and solutions
For society, gender is one of the many ways of keeping differences among human beings. Bu, this difference is not same as the biological differences between male and female. As part of keeping gender difference, society has reserved certain jobs for men and women. Men are assigned jobs which require lots of hard works and women are more responsible for taking care of small babies. This way is being practiced for long years. Naturally, women learned only those kinds of jobs which need less physical hard work.
Now there are females who can do the works which require physical hard work. And there are many males who take care of their small kids. Male and female do these works breaking the limitations assigned by society. The method of differentiating men and women is society and is possible to cross the boundaries set by society by learning and practices.
Conclusion
Post modern feminists argue that the differences the nature has kept on male and female are quite different from the social construction of difference between men and women. They mention lots of evidences to argue this point. Even though there are variations according to society and culture, males got lots of priorities in such a social structuring. Women are the victims of this kind of social structuring. There are many evidences to prove that women can do almost all works that men do. But, in major parts of the world, society is not ready to recognize this fact.
Works Cited
Lorber, Judith. “Night to his day”: The Social Construction of Gender. Yale University Press, 1994. Web.