My Gender Socialization From Childhood To Adulthood

Table of Contents

Here is an introduction

Growing up

Teenage years

Young adulthood

Mature

To sum up,

An opening

Gender is an explanation of the biological differences that exist between men and women. In this context, gender refers to being a male or female. It is true that gender determines masculinity and femininity, regardless of a person’s genital status. Gender is the ultimate determinant of gender roles for both sexes. Males are associated with masculinity while females with femininity. Characteristics associated with masculinity are assertiveness and courage. They also include the need for authority, power, and control. Femininity can be defined as warmth, gentleness and empathy.

The socialization of gender is a very important aspect of our society. Boys and girls are given different roles from birth and are expected pass this on to their children. Gender socialization is done by four institutions: family, peer, media and school.

ChildhoodBeing male is having the masculine physical features, such as muscles, deep voice and male sexuality. Being a’man’ means being assertive, confident and dominant. These physical characteristics are reflected in social roles. As a boy, I was encouraged to do certain things and not others. I was told to wear blue, and not pink. Blue is apparently for boys and girls.

I was given toy cars and toy guns. (Water guns). My parents also encouraged me to play in the grass and mud. These games and toys are designed to improve motor skills, encourage solitary activity and promote aggression. My sisters were encouraged, however, to play with toys and dolls. They could also pretend to be hosting tea and cooking parties. The games were meant to instill a nurturing attitude in the children. I knew from the beginning that being a man meant being tough, courageous and rugged while being a woman meant being a housewife and good host. One time, when I was playing outside with other boys, we challenged each other to get on the top of a large tree. Anyone who hesitated would be told they were “acting too girlish and couldn’t fit with us”. It was through this incident that I realized being a boy means being brave, even without being asked.

I watched the movie Express, about the revolution of American football in the 1950s. It was evident that the boys were willing to run and get injured, sometimes seriously, for the sake of sport, and yet still return to the field. Making it to a football team was an accomplishment, especially when getting injured, hospitalized or even hurt was inevitable. The boys were risk takers, while the girls are more sensitive.

I’ve always enjoyed being boy because it involved stealing, destroying, and building things that we thought were worthwhile. We would also set fire to the neighbor’s yard and steal stuff. In those days, we didn’t really care about class. We just wanted to have fun and take risks. Boys are always daring and sometimes we get in serious trouble. It was obvious that any dispute would be resolved with a fistfight and a firm handshake. No hard feelings were to remain. The leader was the strongest boy who could defeat us at all tasks. He was also the most courageous. Toys are our own creation.

It was not important to us that we met the social expectations. To us, being boys was a second nature. To avoid being grounded or locked in the house, I only had to make sure I didn’t get into any trouble.

AdolescenceAs I grew older, I began to confuse my gender construct. Adolescence, it seems, is not a clear-cut area. The society has a set of behaviors that are expected of boys and men, but the adolescent years are a grey one. As an adolescent, I didn’t know what to expect of myself and I often got into trouble. My parents talked to me about how the changes in my body would affect who I will become. My parents were not open to my concerns because I saw them only as a source of punishment and authority.

My peers and I would converse about issues, but we would usually mislead eachother. I wanted to be more in control of what I did, what I wore, who interacted with me, and how. In this period social class was very important, because I could only interact with young boys in my class. Although schools provided sex instruction to adolescents, I found that the information left me more confused than satisfied. I had a neighbor who was a former soldier in the army and always talked about his service to his country. He was an example to me. He taught my what it was like to be a teenager and how I would be expected to behave when I grew up.

When we discussed my career options, he told me that he didn’t want me to pursue careers in the hospitality industry, nursing or HR because those are too feminine. He encouraged to become a firefighter or engineer, soldier, pilot, etc. These are all masculine jobs for men. He encouraged me not to ignore young girls or avoid them if I could. It was important to be confident in my approach, as men never doubt themselves. He would tell to run for the office of school captain. When I told him that I was afraid of losing, he replied that men who are real do not fear to lose.

I still remember him teaching me to drive. He told me I only needed confidence and an understanding of the art. He still has an influence on me in all that I do. My mentor taught me that courage, confidence and bravery were not options, but rather a necessity to become a man. Then I realized why in some African cultures, boys are forced to undergo painful initiations that they believe will turn them into men. It is expected that they will endure pain and go through painful experiences. The boys were in pain and they did not just tolerate it. It was to conform to societal standards.

I can remember wanting more and envious of those who were more fortunate than me. It was then that I began to look for the approval of those who already had what I desired. Here, peer pressure became real. I did things I never would have done before. I would start to question everything, even my parents’ authority. Adolescents who are taught to be adventurous and to always try new things by the society can easily become victims of crime without proper mentoring. The temptation was strong at this stage. I wanted to try drugs, alcohol and other dress codes. However, I was constantly reminded of my reality by my mentor.

I thought that girls were more fortunate than boys. They only had to look good to be invited to a party or dance, but I was more concerned with knowing the right people and being cool.

Young adulthoodAs I became a young man, I realized that the choices I made had consequences. I learned this lesson in adolescence. It was not easy to get what I wanted. Life is full of no shortcuts. I learned that men don’t complain when they don’t have something. They find a way to get it. I considered myself the final decision maker and thought that peer pressure, other people’s opinions and advice were meant to distract.

I quickly ended any relationship where I felt oppressed. It’s important to be responsible as a man. This includes paying for the date, dropping the girl off at her house, and making sure that she is safe. You should also maintain a stable job, and help out around the home. In contrast, I felt uncomfortable doing the dishes, cooking, cleaning or even laundry. These tasks are usually reserved for women.

My parents and neighbor have had a significant influence on my perception of gender roles and what society expects from me. My parents helped me to understand the difference between right and wrong. I also learned that my actions are accountable. They taught me as a young boy that being a real man is being warm, gentle and brave depending on the situation. Then I choose what kind of a man I want. As a young man, in order to choose a course that was more manly, I chose the physical and social sciences. This closed off several career options but also opened up others.

In my early adulthood, I noticed power and status as I saw the results of choices. They never felt the peer pressure of those adolescent males who had a sense of independence and were assertive. The fact that I could afford to buy all my necessities pushed me to become a better individual.

AdultAs an adult, I don’t believe that any doors are closed to me. I base my career on what I love and not what society expects of me. I have a wide range of options that allow me to do anything I want to. Closed doors are only a mental state. I think I’ve been given the personality traits necessary for the modern society to survive.

The current society gives equal opportunities to both genders and offers them equal chances. As a woman, I do not believe that there is discrimination in the society. The education system has played a key role in ensuring that both girls and boy have received an equal education and have the same chances to pursue a career.

ConclusionIt is survival of fittest in our society. I learned traits as a boy and an adolescent. These have made me brave, responsible, deterministic, and courageous. I want to teach my sons the same values if I ever have any.

In informal social institutions, gender roles are already established in society. Education has enabled the woman to compete on an equal basis with men. In the past, only one third of women applied for jobs that they were qualified for. This was compared to three-quarters of men. With the rise of the feminist movement, women are now empowered. Paycheck Fairness Bill is another piece of legislation put into place by the government to allow women to earn as much as men.

My personal observations have led me to believe that gender identities and roles are only present in the informal institutions of society, such as marriages and families. In formal institutions, however, such as schools and offices, equality prevails and any discrimination based on roles is strongly discouraged. It is important that both formal and informal social institutions thrive.