When examining human diversity in the United States or any other society, it is important to first understand the criteria commonly used for making group distinctions. There are many ways in which diversity and complexity can be explained. These explanations are generally based on societal and/or biological factors.
Deborah Blum, born on October 19, 1954, is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American journalist and professor of science journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In her article titled The Gender Blur: Where Does Biology End and Society Take Over?”, Blum argues that biology plays a larger role in gender development than commonly believed. She states that “gender roles of our culture reflect an underlying biology” (679). However, cultural critic Morton Jefferson disagrees with Blum’s perspective. He argues that “Blum really believes that gender behavior is natural and based in biology.”
The article focuses on the debate between the role of biology versus society in shaping gender identity. Blum asserts that while socialization plays a part in shaping gender roles, there is also evidence to suggest biological factors contribute to these differences. Jefferson challenges this view by suggesting that societal norms are solely responsible for creating gender distinctions.
Blum’s work has contributed significantly to the field of science journalism and has sparked important conversations about how we understand human behavior.
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Society and culture play a significant role in determining how men and women behave, surpassing the influence of biology. However, both biology and society have a great impact on male and female behavior in their respective roles. Biology influences our behavior, while society amplifies it. In Gender Blur’s article, she explains the differences in behavior between sexes that individuals experience in everyday life. Her thesis is that a person’s childhood can reflect who they will become as adults, shaping their behavior and character. She describes her own childhood where she received two presents that are typically associated with either boys or girls according to societal norms.
She receives items that clash, such as a Barbie doll and a softball glove. While Barbie dolls are meant to be delicate and girlish, a softball glove is rugged, active, and more boyish. This gives her the opportunity to explore both feminine and masculine interests. Blum analyzes the differences between boys’ and girls’ characteristics; boys are typically known for their aggressive behavior while girls tend to be less aggressive and more delicate. Her son’s love for vicious dinosaurs is proof of typical boy behavior. The article presents several facts that support males being more aggressive.
One of the notable differences between men and women is the higher percentage of men who commit crimes. Not only do men commit more crimes, but they also tend to use weapons more often than women. In her research on aggression, Blum studied not only humans but also other species on earth. For example, she discussed chimpanzees and their behavior. According to Blum (681), male chimpanzees declare war on neighboring troops and use a warning strike strategy that involves killing females and infants to terrorize and intimidate.
Where does the behavior between men and women originate? According to Blum, it starts with genetics. Genetics is a major factor in shaping a person’s character, including their height and weight. In fact, up to ninety percent of a person’s weight is heritable. Additionally, children who experience stressful childhoods may become shorter adults.
Blum explains that if there isn’t enough testosterone present during fetal development, the unborn child will develop as female rather than male. Male parts will diminish and become female parts instead. This means that the default sex is female.
To make her point clear to readers, Blum uses various strategies.
Another issue to consider is the role of hormones. Testosterone is known to have body-building functions, but it also affects behavior. Blum points out that high levels of testosterone in males can cause aggression, while lower levels in females can make them comparatively more passive. She references various studies on testosterone levels in her article. Blum discusses how psychologist Robert Goy from the University of Wisconsin at Madison first documented that young male monkeys play much more roughly than young females.
Goy demonstrated that manipulating testosterone levels can reverse the effects of gender differences. By raising testosterone in females and reducing it in males, sweet little monkeys and rowdy young females can be created. According to her, testosterone plays a significant role in men’s display of rowdy play, sex drive, competitiveness, and an in-your-face attitude (684).
In conclusion, biological factors set the stage for the direction of one’s physical being. However, it is society that reinforces masculine and feminine qualities. “The Gender Blur: Where Does Biology End and Society Take Over?” provides an overview that supports this thesis statement. As young individuals, children tend to enjoy certain activities that they may carry out as adults. This article provides great explanations and strategies to determine the behavior and reasons behind gender differences. Although gender roles are largely controlled by society with a women should cook and clean while men should work hard and be the breadwinner” mentality, Blum challenges this notion by suggesting that biology plays a bigger role in shaping who we are.
