Anguiano I

Natalie Anguiano

English 115

Professor Ditch

4 October 2017

Gender Observations at CSUN

For as long as one can remember society has always looked upon and considered whether

one is male or female due to their appearances and or actions. Along with the certain way they

are expected to act parents have become a huge part of committing to these social constructs of

male and female and have their son or daughter behave as their gender by appearance. From then

on one is taught to only appear a certain way to not confuse society. As for me recently I noticed

a huge reason why I am the way I am. When I was younger I considered myself more on the

masculine side by the way I dressed. Growing up I noticed the difference of me and other

females my age and began to not accept myself as the way I was and began to dress more

feminine. By doing so I noticed a huge difference from friends to the way my personality shifted

from not caring to having my look become a part of me. My personality shifted because I was

more comfortable in my body knowing society accepts me which boosted up my confidence. At

California State University Northridge (CSUN) I tend to appear both masculine and feminine in

different locations on campus based on the environment, which tends to bring out multiple

personalities that makes me contribute in these expectations society places on one another.

Society expects males and females are to act in opposite ways meaning that all should act

according to their prescribed gender roles. As one is growing up they are being taught by family

members or parents to act one specific way because if not they will be seen as the opposite
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gender or not look presentable. Devor in Becoming Members in Society states, People appear

feminine when they keep their arms closer to their bodies, their legs closer together, (41) and

continues such appearances of strength and readiness to action serve to create or enhance an

aura of aggressiveness and intimidation central to an appearance of masculinity (43). This

shows how they are trained to act this way according to their social status. One is not born

already knowing how to act according to their gender, they are being taught. Growing up my

parents or family members have trained me to act a certain way around others depending who I

was surrounded by. For example, I tend to appear more masculine when I am set in a hangout

spot by the dorms. At the recreation center there are all kinds of games such as pool, ping pong

and control systems and being placed in this environment I feel makes me more masculine than

ever due to the fact that I am surrounded by males. I become and act more masculine because I

get competitive and am determined to beat my component. Games are considered male

dominated and are naturally a competition and I do not like the feeling of losing so I tend to

show and appear more masculine. As for me in general I hate appearing weak in front of men

because it just applies and shows how women are as fragile as they say, when that is not the case.

I was taught to by my mother and members of my family to never let anyone tell me what I can

and cannot do which is why I do and try my best in whatever obstacle come my way. By that I

mean in the game room I will not stand there and have a male colleague tell me I am not able to

do certain things because I am female. That is why I tend to get competitive and prove others

wrong. Depending on a person being male or female they are crucial to act their gender and play

the roles that come with that. Which can limit ones abilities and have them not live up to their

full potential.
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To members of society it is crucial you perform your gender and not confuse those

around. Lorber in Night to his Day states, established that women cadets could dance at these

vents only if they wore skirts. Women in recruits in the U.S. marine corps are required to wear

makeup- at a minimum, lipstick, and eye shadow- and they have to take classes in makeup, hair

care, poise, and etiquette (27). Women having to look this certain way from society has been

around for quite some time. Being placed in the dorms and generally around campus walking

alone or with others I tend to appear more feminine. Females often look at one another and

notice how good of a hygiene one has and often girls tend to judge one another which makes me

feel uncomfortable, so I appear my best. From walking around campus and the housing area I

take a look at the females around me and notice their makeup and how they dress and as for me I

appear the same way. I wear makeup and clothes just like them to look and appear as feminine as

them. Makeup alone in general is considered feminine, it is appeared and advertised for only the

use of females along with dresses. Furthermore, these two components together will make one

appear feminine to society who will then know your gender just by your appearance and not have

to second glance or guess your gender. Dressing in dresses and more feminine clothing gives me

a boost of confidence which makes me act a certain way I normally would not act. As a child I

was carefree and would dress in the most comfortable clothing. As of now I will dress up in the

most uncomfortable clothing because for females beauty hurts. Getting a sense and knowing I

am being accepted by my peers makes me feel okay about myself and gives me the freedom to

do what I have to do without worrying about what others are thinking of me at the moment. I

appear this way to not have others second guess my gender and glance over at me to get a second

look. It can get annoying at times which is why I tend to stick to my normal appearance every
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day and not draw attention to myself. At the end of the day it is considered a problem because no

one can really be who they truly want because society is always looking over their shoulders.

It is possible for one to appear both masculine and feminine in a certain setting. Devor in

Becoming Members of Society demonstrates, those who tend to speak more loudly, use less

polite and more assertive forms, and tends to interrupt the conversations of others more often

also communicate masculinity to others (43). This explains that those who act this certain way

appear to others as more masculine for having those manners. As for me I appear masculine

inside a classroom because I will actively engage in a conversation and participate which might

seem to others as masculine. It can be seen as masculine because I am brave enough to speak my

mind without having to worry about what my peers might agree or disagree. Men usually have

no off button and will say and get most off their chest. Men in a way feel like they have control

in a conversation and that is me in this case I like to have control whether in a conversation or in

life in general. Men are usually the ones in control either at home in or a working environment, it

is set up that way by society and that shows my masculinity. I can consider myself dominant in

this way because most females are afraid to have others judge their opinion when I on the other

hand will speak what comes to mind. Devor includes femininity, Other people also tend to stand

closer to people they see as feminine, often invading their personal space, while people who

make frequent appeasement gestures, such as smiling, also give the appearance of femininity

(41). In class not only do I appear masculine I also give a glance of my feminine side. I tend to

not talk to anyone or be the first to start a conversation with others, I am more to myself.

Females tend to keep a lot to themselves and deal with issues on their own and that is just who I

am. I occasionally meet people here and there but I am not the one usually making the first

move, I am shy which appears to be more feminine. Either speaking softly or in a low polite tone
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is expected from all women. I was raised to never raise my voice and always speak to others in a

kind and respectful tone. Overall in society males are acknowledged when they are speaking and

are more known to speak their mind while on the other hand females are being limited to their

opportunities.

At CSUN I have noticed the change of my appearance and attitude when I am in different

areas around campus including the dorming area, the recreation center, and my classrooms.

Growing up I was taught by my parents to act a certain way either around other I do or no not

know. With the many social "norms" that are being followed on an everyday basis parents have

always been a huge part of regulating these social constructs upon their children without

noticing. Because of these gender prescribed gender role society places on one another parents

tend to do what is best for their child and prevent them from being looked at weird or abnormal.

From then on one is taught to go by these social "norms" and behave the way their gender should

only behave. Growing up many parents have their son or daughter trained to act and present

themselves a certain way in front of others. Since I was younger I was always told to act specific

ways which I believe led me to becoming more dominant and feminine in certain situations and

placings. In the game room I appear as dominant because I see how competitive sports can get

and I want to be able to have the power and control which makes me appear masculine. As for in

a classroom I appear both masculine and feminine. I am shy and will not speak to others unless I

am being approached too when I can also speak up and raise my hand during a discussion.

Speaking up gives me a more masculine appearance for taking control of a conversation as for

being shy can show my feminine side. This gives society the impression of them being raised the

"right way" for acting in a polite and playing the social gender role. Growing up parents have

also dressed up their little ones according to their sex. I younger would always dress more
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dominant and I would always have my mother attack me at times because it would bug her at

times. Now I see myself how I am supposed to be seen to others and I apply those looks onto

myself to fit in my gender. It is the way parents are raising their kids to identity the gender of

one but parents are not the only ones to blame even if they do not realize they are contributing to

these social constructs. To society it is crucial to act and perform your gender because those who

do not obey will be looked at funny and confuse others.

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Devor, Aaron. Becoming Members of Society: The Social Meaning of Gender. Gender

Blending: Confronting the Limits of Duality, 1989

Lorber, Judith. Night to His Day: The Social Construction of Gender. Paradoxes of

Gender, 1994