Week 5 Discussion: Race, Ethnicity,
Gender, and Identity
Compare and contrast what is meant by the social construction of race with what is
meant by the social construction of ethnicity and what is meant by the social
construction of gender.
How or why is it beneficial to view these as social constructs?
For you personally, are your racial, ethnic, and/or gender identities more matters of
how you view yourself or of how others view you? Please explain.
In what ways is how you view yourself influenced by the larger society and culture?
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, According to Kendall, gender refers to the “Culturally and socially constructed
differences between females and males found in the meanings, beliefs and practices
associated with ‘feminism’ and ‘masculinity,’ (2017, pg 289). Socially we have
essentially been given two options as to which gender we conform to and in general it is
based on the sex we are assigned at birth, being either male or female. In some cases,
the gender that one identifies with does not necessarily ‘match’ their assigned sex, and
are therefore they exhibit behaviors associated with their own self-concept instead of
how society has classified them (Zevallos, 2018).
Similar to gender, race is a social construct that is fluid and, “How one perceives her
racial identity can shift with experience and time, and not simply for those who are
multiracial,” (Onwuachi-Willig, 2016). Race is not biological and therefore it is up to the
individual to assume the race in which they identify with and classify themselves under.
The US Census Bureau includes White, Black, Asian or Pacific Islander, American
Indian or Alaska Native in their racial categories, which does not necessarily include all
who are living here in this country. Ethnicity refers to an individual’s cultural background
or national origin, and includes five characteristics: Unique cultural traits, Sense of
community, Feeling of ethnocentrism, Ascribed membership from birth, and Territoriality
(Kendall, 2016, pg 248).
Social constructs help us to make sense of the world and by creating categories in
which each individual can be placed. While it helps us to understand each other
objectively, it can create bias and subject those of a certain race, gender or ethnicity to
discrimination and unfair treatment, based on other social constructs of our world. As
we evolve and interact, social constructs have the ability to change. For example, the
social construct of gender has changed over the years in that women are no longer
staying at home to raise children and have become strong members of the workforce.
I would classify myself as a white woman and others around me would agree that is
what I am. I think over time I have unknowingly classified myself because I fit into those
roles within society, based on what I know of the world around me. I am of Irish and
German ancestry, which almost automatically places me in the ‘White’ race column.
Although I have Irish and German ancestry, there is nothing else tying me to that so I
would consider myself an American. I speak English, I celebrate American holidays and
when I go to another country, I refer to myself as American. As far as gender, I was
born physically female and was raised by female gender and that is still how I identify
myself as an adult. While female roles have been shaped by society, it is also
something that I identify with and do not consider myself male in any sense. This one
seems a bit tricky to me, as gender starts to get deeper and involve more psychology
and the workings of the brain itself.
Kendall, D. E. (2016). Sociology in our times: The Essentials. Boston, MA: Cengage
Learning.
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