Anthropology - Culture, Gender and Identity Thesis 2022

Running head: ANTHROPOLOGY- CULTURE, GENDER, AND IDENTITY
ANTHROPOLOGY- CULTURE, GENDER, AND IDENTITY
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ANTHROPOLOGY- CULTURE, GENDER, AND IDENTITY
Introduction
Identity is a complex subject area which comprises of a range of varied issues. In
order to develop identity, people must primarily obtain a sense of differentiating between
their identities and the identities of others as distinct and conscious presences. Identity is
referring to the unchanging as well as consistent sense of an individual and his or her position
in the society (Lagaert et al., 2017). An imperative aspect which establishes a part of the
identity is known as gender identity that explains the understanding of one as a male, female
or transgender. This idea is embedded in social concepts or gender rather than in biological
composition. According to Plaks et al. (2016), gender is explained as a social concept of sex.
While on the other hand, sex is understood as an individual's biological position that is
typically categorised as male, female or intersex. In addition, gender is understood as the
characteristics as well as behavioural patterns with which culture links with being an
associate of one or other of the genders (Lagaert et al., 2017). The thesis statement is "Gender
normative explains the behaviour pattern which is culturally expected from gender. Or else
behaviour which is seemed to be not culturally suitable is called gender nonconformity."
Body
In order to determine gender, social as well as cultural insights of male and female
individualities as well as roles should be taken into explanation. There is substantial, yet not
complete connection between female sex as well as feminine gender and male sexual
category and masculine gender. According to Seiffge-Krenke et al. (2018), gender is
understood through a procedure of socialization and by means of the cultural characteristics
of the specific society concerned. As per studies of Hesmondhalgh and Baker (2015), many
cultures, boys are encouraged to engage in the activities which are considered to exhibit male
individualities by means of the toys which are given to them such as guns for boys and for
girls, dolls or other to crockery sets. It is seen that children obtain idea of their gender

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ANTHROPOLOGY- CULTURE, GENDER, AND IDENTITY
characteristics from birth. They acquire ways in which they should perform to be perceived
by others and either as masculine or feminine. All through their life, these ideas are
strengthened by parents, educators, peers in addition to their culture and society.
In addition, gender schemas are linked to psychological associations which relate to
specific behavioural patterns to either gender (Çelik & Ergün, 2016). The subjects have been
tolerably theorized in order to structure standards for individuals to assess them in order to
understand if they have made adequate representations of their gender. As a result, several
studies have shed light on the “maladaptive” understanding of sex typing and in which ways
these support in confining behaviours and conducts of individuals. As per Erikson’s self-
identity theory identity is seen as an important organizing principal that develops
continuously all through the life of individuals (Syed & Fish, 2018). Identity delivers a sense
of endurance within the self as well as in association with others that is self-sameness. It also
provides a structure to distinguish between self and others to gather individuality that permits
the individual to function independently from other individuals in the society. Furthermore,
Erikson’s theory of identity particularly concentrated on adolescents’ development. As per
studies, children belonging to diverse ethnic, socioeconomic groups transpire owning diverse
notions regarding their essential meaning of being a ‘boy’ or a ‘girl’ and consequently the
degree to which they recognize with either of them differs based on the adaptive or
maladaptive characteristic of masculinity or femininity (Rogers, 2018). Thus, it is possible
that the degree of obedience to gender standards be at variance in terms of the ethnic,
socioeconomic sections with which the child has associations, indicating the robust impact of
culture on gender identity. On the other hand, despite of influencing behaviours “acceptable”
for men as well as women, behavioural patterns of men as well as women also undergo
cultural implications. These influences tend to extent across home as well as family and also
to workplaces and societies. Hesmondhalgh and Baker (2015) have noted that the division of