How Biological and Social Processes Influence Gender

This essay discusses the influence of biological and social processes on gender. It explores various social theories, including the social construction of gender and feminist theory. It also examines the biological factors, such as chromosomes and hormones, that influence gender development. The essay provides insights into gender equality, gender oppression, and different perspectives on gender differences.

How might biological and social
processes influence gender?

Table of Contents
How might biological and social processes influence gender?.......................................................3
Social theories influencing gender .............................................................................................3
Biological theory that influences gender ....................................................................................5
REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................................8

How might biological and social processes influence gender?
Biological and social processes influence gender and this is proved by various theories. In this
essay, there is discussion about different biological and social theories from which various
factors affecting gender are discussed.
Social theories influencing gender
The social construction of gender is defined as theory within sociology that emphasise upon
manifestation of mechanisms, cultural origins, corollaries and expression. It is seen that while
communicating in group or person, an individual has two perceptions (Brannon, 2016). The
social construction of gender demonstrates that role of gender manage to have achieved status in
social environment. This signifies that explicitly and implicitly can be useful for categorising
individuals. This leads to motivation of social behaviours.
Feminist theory – Feminist theory is defined as conflict theory which examines inequalities in
gender associated issues. This uses conflict approach in order to examine maintenance of gender
inequalities and roles. There are radical feminists who considers role of family in perpetuating
male dominance. There is patriarchal society in which contribution of men is having more value
than women. It is concluded that viewpoint of women is more silent or marginalised than men.
They do not experience sense of consciousness under the social structure.
Patriarchy is defined as institutional structure which depends upon a belief that women and men
are unequal. The key for patriarchy justifies gendered division of social roles and inequality in
access to positions of power, access to rewards and position of power.
The feminist theory consists of various ideas that reflect upon diversity among women across
the world. There is traditional philosophy with new ways of managing issues that affect
humanity. This is known as extension of feminism in context of fictional, theoretical and
philosophical disclosure. This is helpful in understanding gender equality nature. This theory is
helpful in judging male and female on the basis of their interests, experience, social roles,
feminist politics, etc (Chapman, 2016). There are different fields present within market including
communication, media, sociology, economics, psychoanalysis, education, literature, philosophy,
etc. The feminist theory states that gender inequality affects the behaviour of person. There are
some theme factors on which feminism can be analysed such as objectification, discrimination,
patriarchy, oppression, aesthetics, contemporary arts, stereotyping, etc. The feminist theory

provides an analytics for understanding how women are different from men. There are several
examples such as cultural feminists who look at different values associated with femininity and
womanhood. This explains the reason behind difference in men and women thinking abilities.
On the other hand, Existential and phenomenological feminists emphasises upon how women are
marginalised or how they react in societies (Cundiff and Vescio, 2016). The feminist theory
emphasises on the fact that masculinity can be developed by socialisation. This can be developed
by interacting with process of enhancing femininity in women.
Gender equality – This is a concept that focuses upon gender inequality and it explains various
aspects of women that makes her different from men. Liberal feminists are those women who are
having same capacity for moral agency. There are different dynamics present for shoving
females into private sphere of household. This explains way in which females are excluded from
full participation in different activities of society. Liberal feminists states that presence of gender
inequality is just because of heterosexual marriage (Hu and Scott, 2016). There is no other
reason for women to marry. Hence, sexual division of labour in case of both private and public
spheres should be changed in order to attain equality in marriage.
Gender oppression – The theories of gender oppression are helpful for analysing gender
inequality and gender difference. This theory states that women are different from men and they
react in different manner than them. Power is known as the key variable or factor within this
theory and there are two types of feminism like radical and psychoanalytic feminism (Little,
2017). In case of psychoanalytic feminists, there are power relation among men and women.
This is reformulated according to the theory of Sigmund freud's theory associated with childhood
development, human emotion and handling of different situations. Radical feminists are involved
in fighting for being positive and acknowledge the societal welfare.
Structural oppression – This explains that oppression of women and inequality are results of
patriarchy, capitalism, racism and capitalism.
First wave Feminism – According to the statistics, it is seen that first women's right was held in
Seneca falls, New York. They advertised themselves as convention for discussing civil, social,
religious and rights that a woman has. There was a notable connection present within movement
that is involved in abolishing slavery and women rights (Powers and et. al., 2020). Equality and
freedom are two important factors which are useful in managing the convention and signing
declaration of sentiments.

Standpoint theory – There are many immediate as well as fundamental experiences of social
life. This theory is known as key innovation in sociology which enables different issues
associated with women and males. Life of women are dependent upon actualities of lived
experience.
Intersectional theory - This is involved in examining overlapping and multiple identities. There
are different lived experiences within spaces of overlap and how these are identified for making
an individual's experience unique.
Sociologists theories are helpful for individuals to explain complex human behaviour, social
structures and social phenomenon. There is analysis of process and structure that are involved in
structuring these (Rao and Tilt, 2016). There are clear roles and responsibilities of males and
females within workforce when working in any company. There are different conflict theories
which operates under neo Marxism that uses wage gap for perpetuating an unequal system.
Biological theory that influences gender
There is difference between gender and sex. Concept of sex is defined as biological difference
between males and females. Chromosomes, reproductive organs and hormones can differentiate
males and females. Gender is defined as cultural difference that is expected by culture or society.
There is lot of diversity nowadays and gender is considered as continuum. It is allowed for men
to show their feminine side and women can show their masculine traits. Biological approach
states that there is no distinction between gender and sex. There are two factors chromosomes
and hormones that help in determining gender. Hormones are the chemicals substances which are
secreted by glands. Sex hormone is present in both men and women body but they differ in terms
of amounts. Testosterone is released in womb and it develops as male reproductive organ. This
acts as hypothalamus and it causes brain maculinization. An individual contains 23 pair of
chromosomes which are thin line structure consisting of genes. Chromosome for male is XY and
female is XX (Samulowitz and et. al., 2018).
Tuner's syndrome – This is a syndrome which is formed due to (XO) and it occurs when females
develop with only one chromosome on chromosome 23. Probability for this is very low which
can be represented as one in 5k. Reason behind absence of second X chromosome results in child
with a female external appearance. There are differences in physical and cognitive skills which
are compared with typical chromosome patterns.

Klinefelter's syndrome is developed when there is XXY chromosome. This affects one in every
750 males. These males appear to be men physically but the affect of additional chromosome X
causes less body hair and genitals. The syndrome affects shyness and calmness that remains
throughout life.
Evolutionary explanation of Gender – According to the evolutionary approach, there are
different aspects of human behaviour which have been coded by the genes as they are adaptive.
According to the central claim of evolutionary psychology is that brain is prepared to solve
different problems which are encountered by ancestors. There are two type of genders which are
present in environment and they develop strategies for ensuring reproductive and survival
success (Swift-Gallant and et. al., 2017). It describes the reason behind men and women
difference in context of psychologically.
Bio social approach to gender
According to the biosocial approach, it is concluded that nature and nurture both play an
important role in gender development. This theory states that when a male or female is born,
there is requirement of development of interaction between men and women. This is a theory
which was an attempt for integrating nature and nurture. Gender role preferences are analysed by
different critical events which are mentioned below -
Prenatal – This is known as the scenario of exposure to hormones on womb. This is generally
determined by chromosomes. This suggests that biology is caused by genetics.
Postnatal – Society and parents treats person by seeing his or her genitals.
Parents react to the child on the basis of his or her genitals. This is time when sex is labelled by
external genitals. This enhances gender development. There is social labelling of baby girl or
boy. This occurs when there is labelling through external genitals and gender development is
present. Western societies states that gender consists of two categories including feminism and
masculine. These are associated with difference among species. Within a society, people are
treated on the basis of their genetics and the way in which they are treated is combination of
biological sex that determines gender. This approach reflects that gender identity is neutral when
person is below age of 3. It can be changed after that. If a biological boy is raised as a girl then
he will develop female identity. This is defined as neutrality theory.
The biological approach for gender development – The biological approach is known as theory
which is known as a scientific approach of psychology. This is related with social factors of

development. This is an approach which is dependent upon biology chromosomes, hormones,
etc. Zygotes are gender neutral and gender is grown at week six to week eight. It is concluded
that heterosexual males have enlarged BST regions. According to the statistics, gender is
correlated with hormones (Terjesen and Sealy, 2016). There is a common disorder in which
atypical chromosome pattern are present. This consists of Klinefelter's syndrome. This involves
undescended tests, little body hair that are all affected for reduced testosterone amount. This
lacks masculinity among men. There are few individuals of this syndrome who have increase in
breast area at the time of puberty and oestrogen level is also high. Females have chromosome
XX and females who are having arrangement XO are having increased verbal skills. Individuals
who are having this syndrome have underdeveloped skills related to males. This is known as
syndrome or distress which is classified as disorder. When there is no psychological distress then
it is obsessive compulsive personality syndrome.
There is an advantage of biological approach which can be explained by science. It is concluded
that most of the things in science are proven or they have incredibly strong evidences. When
gender is purely biological, social learning theory is involved in managing inconsistent
behaviours.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Brannon, L., 2016. Gender: psychological perspectives. Taylor & Francis.
Chapman, R., 2016. A case study of gendered play in preschools: How early childhood
educators’ perceptions of gender influence children's play. Early Child Development
and Care, 186(8), pp.1271-1284.
Cundiff, J.L. and Vescio, T.K., 2016. Gender stereotypes influence how people explain gender
disparities in the workplace. Sex Roles, 75(3-4), pp.126-138.
Hu, Y. and Scott, J., 2016. Family and gender values in China: Generational, geographic, and
gender differences. Journal of Family Issues, 37(9), pp.1267-1293.
Little, J., 2017. Gender and rural geography. Routledge.
Powers, R.A. and et. al., 2020. Social learning theory, gender, and intimate partner violent
victimization: A structural equations approach. Journal of interpersonal
violence, 35(17-18), pp.3554-3580.
Rao, K. and Tilt, C., 2016. Board composition and corporate social responsibility: The role of
diversity, gender, strategy and decision making. Journal of Business Ethics, 138(2),
pp.327-347.
Samulowitz, A. and et. al., 2018. “Brave men” and “emotional women”: A theory-guided
literature review on gender bias in health care and gendered norms towards patients with
chronic pain. Pain Research and Management, 2018.
Swift-Gallant, A. and et. al., 2017. Handedness is a biomarker of variation in anal sex role
behavior and recalled childhood gender nonconformity among gay men. PLoS
One, 12(2), p.e0170241.
Terjesen, S. and Sealy, R., 2016. Board gender quotas: Exploring ethical tensions from a multi-
theoretical perspective. Business Ethics Quarterly, 26(1), pp.23-65.