Isabel Lopez Luna

Professor Beadle
English 115
September 16, 2015
Progression I
The conformities placed upon gender and sexes isolate individuals from society and
discriminate against those who dont fall under the norms that society has set forth. The articles
that touch upon the topic of gender and its social conformities are Ruth Hubbards, Rethinking
Womens Biology, and, Emily W. Kane, No Way My Boys Are Going To Be Like That:
Parents Responses to Childrens Gender Nonconformity. The connection that resonates
between the two articles is the despair and tolerance reaching across the formalities of both
feminine and masculine attributes, causing the imbalance of biased distinctions between sexes.
Resulting in gender identity discrimination becoming the seed to which society inevitably
structures its isolating standards, and in such circumstances, should be more forthcoming upon
gender neutral and nonconformists, and integrate the acceptance upon its youngest members
first, the children.
A parents hostile judgment towards their childs gender nonconformity and cross gender
play, creates concerning social standards that discriminate against individuals whose gender
identities show either too much of the feminine or male attributes.
. Emily W. Kane addresses in her article, No Way My Boys Are Going To Be Like That:
Parents Responses to Childrens Gender Nonconformity, the effects that is brought upon by the
tolerated and discriminating relationship between parents and their child.

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Kanes reference to Donald McCrearys, Sex Roles, brings to light the discrimination towards
femininity among young boys, for example a remark made by a father expressing his concern
about his sons excessive emotionality was that he wanted, to see him strong, proud, not crying
like a sissy (Kane 94), which ultimately causes a negative affect towards the childs identity
construction. For the reason that, unlike the females who are regarded as being prepared for their
roles as the domestic and submissive women, male children who perform certain feminine
characteristics are perceived to be homosexual, If [he] were to be gay, [the father] will see it as
a failure, because I am raising him to be a boy, a man (Kane 96). Making them the forced
individual to conform towards the belief of their parents in becoming the successful heterosexual
male with accrediting masculine traits. The social implications that arise from these forced
conformities create a higher rate of discrimination among cross-gender play in children.
Nevertheless, growing up in a household with two older brothers, gave me a blend of
gendered experiences, without being discriminated against. For example, toys; the invention to
which most parents will nurture their children to grow with actions pertaining to societys
structured norms of gender identity. Granted, those that were given to me were hand me downs,
which consisted of racecars, Legos, and action figures, but even so, it doesnt lessen me for being
a girl and playing with masculine labeled toys. Instead it gave me a greater perspective as a
child that a certain task, job or something as simple as a toy shouldnt pertain to just that sex or
gender. Furthermore, I have acquired a sense of athleticism and competiveness, in following my
brothers footsteps, as well as having the same and at times more encouragement from my
parents, who never limited

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my options. For the reason that, parents who carefully balanced openness within limits (Kane,
94) were also, what society deemed appropriate or sensible for girls my age, and for my parents,
their beliefs were considerable towards how we will identify as we continue to grow. As for
societys conformities among cross gender play, which should not forcefully categorize children
and individuals into a certain mold, but instead establish an acceptance toward having an open
minded awareness of different identity and conform with the idea of nonconformists.
The saying, One is born a woman, one becomes a woman of Simon de Beauvoir, in
The Second Sex, is assessed in the article, Rethinking Womens Biology, by Ruth Hubbard
with her introduction being the assessment towards the fact that it is a socially constructed
concept, we try to fit as we grow (46). As a consequence, it creates an influenced interpretation
about women in todays society, affecting who they should be, brought on by means of
university-educated men scientists (46). Such as, the stereotypical conformities placed on
women by society, about their, maternal instincts (49), given that they are walking wombs
(46) and that the reality is most women are restraining in not having children. Subsequently,
from what I have experienced at school, is that the physicality between sexes, for one being that
most of it is based upon the social status of either race or culture. The moment we enter an
environment with different culture and expectations, there is a certain standard that is generated
to accommodate the interaction between sexes. For example, the nature of how we act becomes
an issue that is discouraged by those who have unintentionally created an idealistic form, In our
society changes in style not just of clothing but of body shape are

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generated (Hubbard, 48). We change to please society, because society has deemed a specific
body type or clothing to be indifferent to the rest, and that to conform is to become, twiggy
anorexic or wear padded bras. Being indifferent doesnt help these circumstances, because no
matter what, women deliberately eat less than they need for healthy growth and development
(49), which often creates the cycle of abuse among groups of individuals who dont find
themselves worthy' enough. Therefore, to end the conformities that plague our physiological
development, there needs to be a sense of usefulness that is developed between both sexes to
create a sense of unity among society.
In conclusion, the conformities between sex and gender that isolate certain individuals
should be taken into consideration. In the light that much of what truly differentiates us isnt the
attributes of femininity and masculinity thats been discriminated by society, although it is one of
many factors, but the discrimination that we place upon individuals. Much of what has been
discussed, addressed and explained on the articles in Composing Gender, by Rachael Groner
and John F. OHara, shouldnt be where our awareness upon the matter ends, but where it should
be replaced with a new perspective to establish a much more accepting norm upon society that
benefits the gender identity of many who have been discriminated against. In all circumstances,
pertaining to race, culture, and sex, there should be a voice to distinguish and unite, genderless,
neutral, and nonconformist individuals, in order to gain what weve lost over the last few years.

Works Cited:
Hubbard, Ruth. Rethinking Women's Biology. N.p.: n.p., 2014. 46-51. Print.
Kane, Emily W. "No Way My Boys Are Going to Be Like That": Parents Responses to Children's
Gender Nonconformity. N.p.: n.p., 2014. 91-97. Print.
Groner, Rachael, and John F. O'Hara. Composing Gender. N.p.: Leasa Burton, 2014. N. pag.
Print.