WorkingOnGender0001

WORKING ON GENDER AS A GENDER-NONCONFORMIST
Author

  • Sandra Lipsitz Bem

  • Affiliation: Cornell University

  • Role: A pioneer in feminist psychology, known for her groundbreaking research on gender roles and the psychological impact of gender stereotypes.

Introduction

  • Sandra Bem presents a personal and academic perspective as a leading figure in gender studies, shedding light on the complexities of gender identity beyond the traditional binary classification of male or female.

  • The article poses the question of gender nonconformity, challenging the common view that gender is purely binary and investigating how individuals navigate a society structured around gender polarization.

Core Concepts

  • Sex vs. Gender

    • Sex: Defined as male or female based on biological, physiological, or genetic factors (e.g., chromosomes, hormones, and reproductive anatomy).

    • Gender Identity: The individual's internal perception of themselves as male, female, or something else (such as non-binary or genderqueer), which may or may not align with their biological sex.

    • Social Constructionism: Gender is seen as a construct developed through life experiences and societal interactions rather than an innate, biological characteristic.

  • Gender Schema Theory

    • Bem developed this theory to explain how individuals become gendered in society.

    • It suggests that children learn a "schema" or network of associations about gender from their culture, which then serves as a cognitive filter through which they process information.

    • This leads individuals to self-regulate and align their behavior with the gender norms prescribed by their society.

Cultural Perspectives on Gender

  • Many cultures traditionally recognize only two genders (male and female), a concept known as the gender binary. This view lacks the capacity to encapsulate the diverse spectrum of human experiences related to identity.

  • Gender is constructed over time, and changes in societal perception or personal realization can redefine an individual’s gender identity.

  • The Lenses of Gender:

    • Androcentrism: The practice of placing a masculine point of view at the center of one's world view, culture, and history, thereby culturally marginalizing femininity.

    • Gender Polarization: The tendency for society to define mutually exclusive scripts for being female and male and to punish those who deviate from these scripts.

    • Biological Essentialism: The belief that gender differences are purely the result of biological causes and are therefore fixed and natural.

Gender Nonconformity

  • Individuals who do not fit neatly into traditional gender roles or expectations are termed gender nonconformists.

    • Examples:

      • A biological male displaying emotional, nurturing, and sensitive traits may be classified as a gender nonconformist in societies that equate masculinity with stoicism.

      • A genetic female portraying masculine attributes, such as physical assertiveness or professional dominance, may be viewed as a "gender rebel."

  • Bem uses her own experiences—such as her egalitarian marriage and non-traditional parenting—as an illustrative example of gender nonconformity in practice.

Androgyny and the BSRI

  • Bem introduced the concept of Psychological Androgyny in $1974$.

  • The Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI):

    • A psychological tool used to measure how people identify with socially desirable masculine and feminine traits.

    • Unlike previous scales that viewed masculinity and femininity as opposite ends of a single continuum, the BSRI treats them as two independent dimensions.

    • Androgynous Individuals: Those who score high in both masculine and feminine characteristics. Bem argued that these individuals are often more psychologically flexible and better adjusted because they are not restricted by rigid gender roles.

    • Undifferentiated Individuals: Those who score low in both masculine and feminine characteristics.

  • Androgyny was revolutionary because it suggested that a person could possess a "blend" of traits, breaking the binary expectation.