The Social Construct of Gender: Deconstructing Stereotypes

This essay critically examines gender stereotypes, drawing upon Cordelia Fine's "Delusion of Gender" and Judith Butler's "Gender Trouble" to argue that gender is a social construct used to maintain power imbalances. It discusses how societal attributes are assigned to genders and how these stereotypes, while influential, are not definitive of individual behavior. The essay challenges the notion that inherent differences exist between male and female brains, suggesting that behaviors associated with specific genders are often superficial and can be exhibited by both sexes. Ultimately, the essay concludes that gender stereotypes are relative and that deviations from assigned attributes are common, reinforcing the idea that gender serves as a façade to uphold the status quo.

Running head: GENDER STEREOTYPES
Gender Stereotypes
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

1GENDER STEREOTYPES
Figure 1: Gender Stereotypes
Source: “Delusion of Gender” by Cordelia Fine
The above given figure from the book “Delusion of Gender” of Cordelia Fine clearly
indicates the stereotypes associated with the two sexes. It is to be noted that since the ancient
times certain attributes are attached with the two genders and they need to follow those
particular attributes religiously (Bruckmüller, Hegarty, and Abele 42: 210-218). In the
opinion of Judith Butler articulated in her famous feministic work “Gender Trouble”, “gender
is just a façade developed to maintain the power balance in the society” (Butler). Therefore,
since the ancient times the various people insist that the individuals belonging to the
particular sex group should follow their gender attributes religiously.
The above figure clearly indicates the most common attributes or the thoughts which
the society or the experts think to be the part of the male and the female brains. Thus the
female counterpart of the image shows the most predominant thoughts which form the core of
their thinking process and vice versa. However, at this particular point of time it is to be
noted that in actual or real life the brain of a particular individual cannot be segregated on the
basis of his or her gender as the thought process and the attributes of an individual are

2GENDER STEREOTYPES
influenced by several factors (Bruckmüller, Hegarty, and Abele 42: 210-218). It is true that
gender forms one of the core factors which influence the thought process of the individuals
however it is not the sole factor. Thus, as depicted in the picture as well as in the real life the
behaviors like indulging in shopping and being fond of chocolates are considered to be
feminine traits however these are just basic behavioral patterns which many men also like to
indulge. Therefore, it can be said that the stereotypes as well as various attributes have been
attached with the two sexes in a bid to maintain the status quo of the society.
To conclude, gender stereotypes as well as the attributes attached to the two genders
are very relative and one attribute can relate to both the sexes. Therefore, it can be said that
gender is just a façade which is used to maintain the power balance in the society. People
have developed certain attributes which are related to the specific sexes however it is often
seen that there is a significant amount deviance from the attributes which have been assigned
to the two sexes.

3GENDER STEREOTYPES
References
Bruckmüller, Susanne, Peter Hegarty, and Andrea E. Abele. "Framing gender differences:
Linguistic normativity affects perceptions of power and gender stereotypes." European
Journal of Social Psychology 42.2 (2012): 210-218.
Butler, Judith. Gender trouble: Feminism and the subversion of identity. routledge, 2011.