Reading Gendered Objects
Gender is not an inherent quality, but rather a concept that is shaped by social interactions. Our daily experiences and interactions play a role in the formation and perpetuation of gender.
From a young age, we learn about gender from our environment to the point where it becomes second nature. Societal expectations regarding gender are so ingrained in us that deviations from these norms often go unnoticed.
The process of constructing gender starts at birth when our physical attributes determine the sex assigned to us.
We are given names and adorned in colors typically linked to either boys or girls, commonly pink or blue. Consequently, from a young age when we cannot express our gender, we experience contrasting treatment. Young girls receive compliments on their appearance and size, whereas boys may be commended for their physical strength. These distinct responses and behaviors continue throughout our schooling, becoming more apparent as time progresses.
Teachers reinforce sex segregation by separating boys and girls in the classroom and dining room, as well as encouraging them to engage in different activities. When boys and girls play together, derogatory names are often used to degrade those who violate these gender boundaries. These divisions occur because society expects individuals to adhere to specific gender roles and responsibilities. The education system, parents, and media all contribute to the promotion of gender roles. Gender is expressed through our behavior, speech, clothing choices, and even eating habits.
Across different cultures, gender expectations can vary, even in something as seemingly simple as how men and women chew their food. In many societies, women are typically expected to keep their lips moving while eating, while men are encouraged to display more robust movements using their entire mouth in a way that is considered “manly.” The role that clothing plays in defining gender roles within society is significant. Certain garments are reserved exclusively for women, and if a woman chooses to wear traditionally masculine attire for a professional event, it symbolizes her desire to be treated on equal terms with men. However, when clothing alone is not enough to communicate one’s gender identity, other elements such as hair styling, makeup application, and jewelry choices become additional signals.
Women Marines are mandated to wear makeup and receive training in applying makeup, maintaining their hair, behaving appropriately, and demonstrating good manners. In society, gender disparities lead to inequity. Over time, gender biases become more prevalent and impact our language choices. Upon marriage, a woman adopts her husband’s surname and becomes connected with him as a male entity. The choice of pronouns plays a crucial role in acknowledging distinct individual characteristics and professional aspirations. It is noteworthy that when discussing occupations, “a secretary” is often linked with women while “a doctor” is associated with men.
The text examines how women in society are often labeled based on their desirability to men (such as being called a fox or chick), while men are described by their sexual prowess (like being referred to as a dude or stud). It emphasizes that gender is not fixed and can change over time. Nowadays, many individuals reject societal expectations tied to their assigned gender roles. This resistance is particularly noticeable among intersex individuals who may have had their gender decided by doctors at birth rather than by themselves. Unfortunately, these determinations made by doctors are often proven incorrect, highlighting the concept that gender is a learned social construct shaped through our interactions with society.
Gender construction applies to both humans and non-human objects. It is interesting how gender is assigned to sports, extending beyond individuals. Traditionally, certain sports such as football, water polo, and baseball have been exclusively associated with men. Conversely, synchronized swimming, ballet, and certain forms of gymnastics are often perceived as feminine. Even in the case of volleyball, a sport played by both genders, there persists a gendered aspect. One notable distinction lies in the attire worn by women and men. Women usually don short and snug bottoms with tight tops while men tend to opt for long and loose bottoms with tops.
Women wear long socks and headbands, but there are several differences in the way they play volleyball compared to men. While the rules, ball, and court size are the same, the height of the net is significantly higher for men across all categories due to their superior jumping ability and strength. Men’s volleyball revolves around showcasing their power and strength. The duration of points is shorter as players focus on executing perfect attacks to prevent the opposing team from “digging” the ball and keeping it in play.
In women’s volleyball, power is not the primary strategy. Quickness and intelligence play a larger role. While women also display power, they focus more on outsmarting their opponents. This results in longer and more thrilling points. Girls perform actions that surpass the capabilities of men due to their faster body movements. Typically, male volleyball players are taller but lack the same level of speed and control exhibited by women.
Gender-specific instructions are provided to players in volleyball because of the variations in body types between men and women and the extensive “diving” required. Women have restrictions on certain movements due to their upper body anatomy. Moreover, volleyball incorporates a considerable amount of on-court cheering. Following each point victory, players assemble at the center of the court for a brief celebration where they express their emotions. In these instances, men usually display more vocalization and engage in amiable physical contact with their teammates.
When it comes to the game, men are more prone to getting into physical altercations and using derogatory language when things don’t go their way. Women also express their emotions by smiling and being loud, although not as much as men do. On the court, women tend to refrain from fighting and instead provide support and assistance. Furthermore, there is a noticeable difference in game attendance between genders, with male games drawing bigger crowds. Additionally, coaching volleyball differs based on gender – male coaches are usually stricter and less focused on their players’ emotions.
It is important for coaches of female players to be cautious in their communication, especially during games. Women are often more emotionally driven, particularly when playing sports like volleyball, and offensive language can have a negative impact on their performance. Personally, I believe that gender should not define volleyball as it is essentially the same sport for both males and females. The movements, scoring system, and level of excitement are similar for all players.
When observing volleyball, the net’s height and the coach-player communication often go unnoticed. The main attention is on the game itself, regardless of whether it is women’s or men’s volleyball. This demonstrates how gendering has significantly impacted even inanimate objects.
(Source: Verta Taylor, Nancy Whittier, and Leila J. Rupp. Feminist Frontiers. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2007.)
