Gender, Social Exclusion and Technology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Gender, Social Exclusion and Technology - Essay Example Two different perspectives suggested by Bohan (1993, pp.6) can be used to explain the differences between boys and girls – the theories of Essentialism and Constructionism. Essentialism is intrinsic to the individual and places the formation or origin of gender-specific attributes within the individual. Constructionism, on the other hand, looks at gender characteristics as a component of the actions and acts of the individual, extrinsic to the individual. Gender, in Constructionism, is therefore considered external to the self.   From this perspective, the gender qualities cannot be said to be based on biological sex. According to Bohan, what the individual does when he interacts with others is gender, not what the individual possesses. Essentialism, however consider gender to be an intrinsic phenomenon -- a set of actions that individual possesses inherently. According to the constructionist perspective the social realm is where gender is located. Gender is defined in terms of ‘doing’. Gender itself is defined as a routine, methodical and recurring accomplishment. To fit into the roles of being competent members of the society, men and women convert the ‘doing’ of gender into action. When gender is viewed in this perspective, it is not some genetic traits or roles that we possess biologically, but is rather a output of social influence that is manifested by what we do or how we behave. Gender is therefore an active rather than a passive concept.   Examples of ‘doing’ gender abound in common day-to-day experiences.