The Social Construction of Gender

Biology vs. Social Construction

To address gender equity, it is vital to disaggregate the difference between sex and gender.

Let's imagine a clinical scenario: if we brought a newborn into a room and its genitalia were covered, would we be able to determine whether it was a boy or a girl? The answer is no.

Except for the reproductive organs, there are no visible biological or functional determinant differences at birth.

Biological sex differences, such as the ability to gestate or the production of certain gametes, have reproduction as their only natural purpose.

Nature creates diversity, but does not establish hierarchies of superiority between the sexes.

However, by the time that infant turns seven or eight, the situation changes radically.

In a school playground, we could almost instantly distinguish boys from girls not by their biology, but by their clothing, play and behavior.

While boys' clothing is often designed for physical activity and utility (with pockets and sturdy fabrics), girls' clothing often prioritizes aesthetics over functionality, even limiting physical mobility.

This differentiation is not natural; it is the result of gender, an imposed sociocultural definition that dictates how men and women should behave, dress and act.

The Socialization Process and its Limits

Gender is taught and reinforced through a continuous process called socialization or "gendering," which begins even before birth. This conditioning is achieved through specific mechanisms.

One is manipulation, where physical and emotional strength is encouraged in boys ("boys don't cry"), while girls are instilled with gentleness and restraint ("don't run, don't get dirty").

Another mechanism is channeling, which directs the attention of minors towards different objects: construction tools and vehicles for boys; dolls and household utensils for girls.

Finally, verbal appeal reinforces these identities through language: a boy is praised for being "strong" or "fast", while a girl is recognized for being "cute" or "helpful".

This system creates artificial dualities where the masculine is associated with the mind, culture and reason, while the feminine is linked to the body, nature and emotion, establishing a hierarchy where the former is considered superior to the latter.

Understanding that gender is a social construction, and not a biological destiny, is the first step to question the inequalities that derive from it, since what society has constructed can also be modified.

Summary

Biologically, except for reproduction, there are no determinant differences or natural hierarchies between the sexes at birth, but society quickly imposes distinctions through dress and behavior. These visible differences in childhood are the result of gender as a sociocultural definition.

Gender is taught through an ongoing socialization process that uses manipulation and channeling into specific toys or objects to reinforce distinct identities from childhood. Differentiated language and praise end up consolidating these artificial behaviors in boys and girls.

This system establishes false hierarchies by associating the masculine with superior reason and the feminine with emotion, creating dualities that are not immutable biological destinies. Understanding that gender is a social construction is the first indispensable step to be able to modify these inequalities.