Posted: February 11th, 2016

Compare and contrast a (strong) social constructionist definition of gender with an essentialist definition of gender.

Writing Reflection 1:
Respond to the following:

(1) What does it mean to say that gender is a social construction?

(2) Compare and contrast a (strong) social constructionist definition of gender with an essentialist definition of gender.

(3) People who have an essentialist understanding of gender often disagree with people who have a social constructionist understanding of gender, especially when it comes to laws and social practices. Name at least two gender-related legal, political, or social issues about which a social constructionist and an essentialist might have different opinions.

(4) Does a social constructionist explanation of gender challenge your own understanding of gender and sex? If so, in what ways is it surprising or different? If not, in what ways is it similar? Discuss.