Joshua Smith

Pace University
Sexuality, Reproduction and the Family
December 20,2016
Sexuality Social Construct Over Time
Gender is a social construction. Initially gender and sex were supposed to be
distinguishable. The definition of Sex is: observable physical characteristics that distinguish
the two kinds of human beings, females and males, needed for reproduction. It is impossible
however to truly understand human sex difference without gender. Gender is the cultural
construction of beliefs and behaviors considered appropriate for each sex. The term gender
was introduced as a means of discussing the beliefs we load onto people with certain physical
characteristics.
Humans are very different biologically in many ways. As is clear in this definition, sex
is mostly experienced as operating in two distinct forms. Looking through history and
different cultures it is evident how very different those expectations and beliefs can be, which
is why they are considered socially constructed. However, there are biological variations that
have real effects. In fact, our beliefs and expectations can have quite dramatic biological
effects, in terms of how boys and girls are differently fed the activities they are assigned. The
social constructs of gender make it extremely hard for someone who is Transgender and not
born in the body of their true gender identity to discover themselves because they are so
heavily influenced externally from the moment their born. Boys are supposed to like sports

and girls are supposed to like dress up. These are unhealthy for children because it gives them
an unhealthy view of what gender is. It says to kids that theyre different and unlike other boys
or girls. They need all the support they can get and should not be alienated while in such a
pivotal point of discovery in their lives. Why should a kid be told what he or she is supposed
to like or dislike? They should be free to learn their preferences and tastes without outside
influence that is almost impossible to escape. These social constructs can begin to feel like
shackles of shame and judgment perceived onto them without their say. It is a hard pill to
swallow at such a pivotal point in their lives.
Some parts of society usually object by contending that anatomy and objective
biological functions determine a persons gender, rather than a psychological state. They
seem to have a tough time differentiating sexual orientation and gender identity. They are
entirely different things and do not really go hand and hand. A person can be Transgender
and heterosexual while a cis-gender person can be gay. They do not really correlate in
any particular way. They are two entirely different conversations. It is evident how the
social constructs of gender can hinder the quality of life of a transgender person due to
constant judgment and pressure put on them from the society and their peers. Their life
and experience is equally as valuable and valid. They should never be treated lesser for
needing more time to discover their true gender identity. It is a process that differs from
person to person. It is important for someone who has struggled with gender issues to
help them realize they are normal and will get through the discovery and come out
stronger on top with a new realization of their true identity.
The bodies we see as male and female are in part due to social environments. A
persons identity is not something society can dictate for you. I believe the transgender

community is so important due to the fact that they are rejecting the societal gender norms and
living their true lives. It is not an easy task to do in this day and age. There are many different
variations under the Trans umbrella, which is ironic that even a group that defies gender
social constructs ultimately labels itself. For example: Gender Queer, Gender Fluid, Trans
Woman, or Trans Men, etc. It are a lot of things that needs to be understood by those cisgendered to be able to empathize a bit more instead of letting the differences tear us apart as a
society as a whole.

Today, there are many signs that we are entering a more hopeful era for
transgender people are flourishing as more studies are exploring treatment for trans
people who seek it, as well as ways to combat the discrimination many still face. Plus,
many universities are starting to offer healthy insurance plans that include coverage for
hormone therapy or gender-reassignment surgery for transgender students. This is the
step the country, as a whole, needs to take in order to question the social constructs that
have been created over centuries of looking at things as black or white, or rather Blue or
Pink. Gender, like humanity, is not cut and dry as such. Humans are all individuals to
classifying them into just two types is extremely impractical for the enormous population
we have.
Finally, the only way to overcome the social constructs set up by society is
to teach, learn, empower and grow together. We cannot expect those who are oblivious
and ignorant to learn over night. Tolerance is key but if society can be more accepting for
people for who they truly are despite their biological gender and more understanding of
the identity of their soul, we can overcome these barriers and unnecessary pressures put

on young people who have a lot of self-discovery to do. It is not setting up these children
for success when they are already feeling different from others. Overall the social
constructs of gender hinder the overall acceptance and tolerance of humanity by putting
all people in a box that limits their identity before they even truly know what that is.
Work Cited
Glicksman, E. (April 23). Transgender Today. Retrieved December 20, 2016, from
http://www.apa.org/monitor/2013/04/transgender.aspx
Zevallos, Z. (2014, July 06). Sociology of Sexuality. Retrieved December 20, 2016,
from https://othersociologist.com/sociology-of-sexuality/
Antrosio, J. (2012, May 16). Anthropology, Sex, Gender: Gender is a Social
Construction. Retrieved December 20, 2016, from
http://www.livinganthropologically.com/2012/05/16/anthropology-sex-gendersexuality-social-constructions/
Durgin, C. (2016, May 20). Making Sense of Transgenderism. Retrieved December
20, 2016, from http://www.nationalreview.com/article/435638/transgender-identitybiology-gender-isnt-just-social-construct

Joshua Smith
Pace University
Sexuality, Reproduction and the Family
December 20,2016
Womens right to abortion in this Social and Political Climate
While Donald Trump was still campaigning as a Republican presidential
candidate in May, the now president-elect sat down for an interview with MSNBC and
was asked if he felt abortion should be punished. After deflecting the question, Trump
finally responded with, There has to be some form of punishment. However he had no
real plans to share on what that punishment would be, or, given the protection of abortion
rights under the Supreme Courts Roe v. Wade ruling.
The future of abortion and reproductive rights is uncertain under Trump's
presidency. Trump is facing judgments from both sides of the political spectrum so he
cautiously walked back his comments in a statement. If Congress were to pass
legislation making abortion illegal and the federal courts upheld this legislation, or any
state were permitted to ban abortion under state and federal law, the doctor or any other
person performing this illegal act upon a woman would be held legally responsible, not
the woman, he said. The woman is a victim in this case as is the life in her womb. My
position has not changedlike Ronald Reagan, I am pro-life with exceptions.
But even if Trump can't overturn Roe v. Wade, as he and Mike Pence his pro-life
VP have promised, pro-choice advocates are concerned with how difficult pro-lifers are
going making it for woman to receive the help they need. Many are concerned that there

will be fewer and less accessible clinics, making it extremely more difficult for women to
receive necessary reproductive health care.
The immediate hit to womens reproductive rights after Trump takes office is not
yet clear, but women's health advocates are rightfully wary of what a majority Republican
Congress, president, and possibly Supreme Court could mean for the future of civil
liberties and social justice. Trump has vowed to make abortion a state issue, which could
mean a hit to financial and geographic accessibility for many women. If Trump is able to
overturn the historic Supreme Court case it shows he could potentially be willing to go
even farther to make abortion inaccessible to the mass number.
Forty-three states restrict abortions, with some exceptions, by time or phase of
fetal development. Some of those states prohibit abortions after a doctor determines the
fetus is viable. The new law makes Ohio the latest state this year to pass a 20-week ban
on abortions, following Georgia and South Carolina. These seem to pro choice advocates
that these bans are the stepping stones to making abortion illegal.
There have already been many setbacks to free choice of Woman and their bodies
with a government trying to control their bodies. The Hyde Amendment withholds federal
Medicaid funding from abortion, with small exceptions. The Hyde Amendment is an
unfair restriction on insurance coverage for millions of low income women and their
families.
On April 18, 2007, The Federal Abortion Ban was a federal law set by the U.S.
Supreme Court upheld the first-ever precedent of banning abortion procedures and gave
politicians the green light to interfere in the private health care decisions of women and
families. The federal abortion ban criminalizes abortions in the second trimester of

pregnancy that doctors say are often the safest and best way to protect women's health.
The ban affects more than just the women who need second-trimester abortions and the
doctors who care for them. Pro life advocates do not take the health of the mother into
consideration. It is ultimately her decision and her body, it should not be interfered by the
government. Some women and their families have been put into situations that may cause
the need to end a pregnancy for serious medical reasons, but unable to do so. Politics has
no place preventing doctors and other health professionals from informing patients about
all their health care options.
State Abortion Restrictions attempt to restrict and even ban abortion at the state
level are trying to deny women their right to make their own personal medical decisions.
Women are paying the price, as state politicians across the country succeed in restricting
access to abortion. Laws that restrict access to abortion hurt women's health and endanger
their safety. Already state legislatures have passed or proposed many dangerous
requirements. Some of the unprecedented attacks on womens access to abortion include:
Restricting insurance coverage of Abortion and in turn taking away the comprehensive
insurance coverage most women currently have. TRAP laws, which are targeted
restrictions against abortion providers abortion bans including unconstitutional bans at
specific weeks of pregnancy, Mandatory ultrasounds and waiting periods, and
requirements to attend biased counseling before a woman can get an abortion,
In conclusion, the current Social and Political climate of this country as it relates
to Womens rights to abortion and the hardest decision a woman has to make is extremely
complicated with the impending president elect. We will not know what he is truly

capable of until he does it, so it is a big waiting game as of now. It is terrifying that
Trump could potentially take away access to abortion to so many so quickly. We must
stand together and defend a woman and her right to make the toughest medical decision
of her life. Organizations like Planned Parenthood are among some of the most important
resources right now and needs all the support at this time to continue the fight against the
government as they attempt to take away our civil liberty.

Work Cited
Plan Parenthood. (n.d.). Federal and State Bans and Restrictions on Abortion.
Retrieved December 20, 2016, from
https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/issues/abortion/federal-and-state-bansand-restrictions-abortion
Keck, C. (2016, November 18). What Does A Trump Presidency Mean For Abortion
Rights? Retrieved December 20, 2016, from
http://www.complex.com/life/2016/11/future-of-abortion-under-trump
Grinberg, E. (2016, December 14). Ohio governor vetoes 'heartbeat' abortion bill.
Retrieved December 20, 2016, from http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/13/politics/ohioabortion-bill-veto/
Arcana, J. (n.d.). Psychological Issues - Feminist politics and abortion in the US.
Retrieved December 20, 2016, from http://www.prochoiceforum.org.uk/psy_al8.php