U2A3: Focus on Gender Identity

Task: As you consider the videos of how gender identity is constructed, think about how the different theories apply to a study of
gender identity and what research methodologies a cultural anthropologist might have used in each one of these examples.
Identify the agents of socialization in each case that have had an influence on the creation of the ‘girl’ and ‘boy’ and ‘man’ and
‘woman’.

Schools of Thought Research Methodology Agents of Socialization

Sworn Virgin This video is about a woman
in Albania who chooses to live
like a man and is called a
sworn virgin. In the hunting
society, men have more
power to speak and dominate,
while women have little choice
in life. It shows how our
perception of gender is
influenced by culture. This
was created by culture rather
than biology.
The researchers went to
Albania specifically to learn
about the "sworn virgin". They
found some women who
chose to live as men and
interviewed them. They
learned more about the sworn
virgin. It also explores the
importance of culture in
anthropology and how culture
influences gender awareness.
- Family
The woman in the video,
her father died while her
mother was still pregnant
with her uncle, and soon
her mother died. Now her
uncle is sick too, so she
has to bear the burden of
the family and accomplish
something that only men
can do. She became a
sworn virgin and chose not
to get married for life.
Therefore, the family
represents the child's first
emotional bond and is by
far the most important
driving force in the
socialization process.

Apache Girl: Rite of Passage - Cultural Relativism Anthropologists participate in - Religion


Rite of Passage: Tattoos and
Whipping
The video shows the 13-
year-old Apache girl
(Dachina) won the title of
tribal woman after a
ceremony. It tells that
where a group of culturally
related Native American
tribes is. Religion plays an
important role in their lives,
and they use rituals to
define gender identity.
- Cultural Relativism
Each culture has its own
rules that must be
accepted. When we look at
other cultures, we often
use our own cultural
perspective. In Benin, the
boys were tested by
whipping and moved
towards "men". The culture
of each place is different,
even anthropologists
cannot compare.
Apache's culture. They were
up close and participated in
the ritual of the girls. This
allows them to better collect
information and have a
deeper understanding of local
customs.
Anthropologists may go to
Benin to find some people
who will be tested for "boy to
man" and interview them. The
researchers asked them
questions to learn more about
the culture and how the boys
passed these rituals.
For Apache girls in the
video, religion is an
important part of life and
even influences culture.
The ceremony of
adulthood is an important
ritual related to religious
celebrations. Organized
religions cultivate a
common set of social
values passed through
society.
- Religion
In Benin, boys must
endure the pain of
whipping in order to
complete the "boy to man"
transition. The local
religion believes that
enduring suffering can
manifest masculinity. All
boys must attend this
ceremony, which is an
important social approach
for many of them. Religion
has passed organizational
tests, thereby enhancing
gender roles. It also
promotes a common set of
social values.
Transgender Children
- Post-modernism
Our "understanding" of the
world is constructed by
society and culture as we
grow up. In this video, a 5-
year-old girl wants to
become a boy and become
a transgender child. It can
be seen that there is no
so-called "correct" gender
identity. Postmodernists try
to deconstruct what a
society considers to be
"real". Just like in everyday
life, how do we define boys
and girls. This is a culture
that crosses the
boundaries of gender
identity.
Anthropologists may visit this
family. Ask questions to
interview the transgender
children. It is also possible to
participate in daily cultural
activities of transgender
children to understand their
thoughts and problems.
- Social media
Social media may have an
impact on that child
becoming a transgender
child. The media
disseminates information
to a wide audience through
the Internet, newspapers,
television, etc. This child
may be attracted to some
male traits that she does
not have, thus generating
transsexual thoughts.
Technological innovation
has become an important
driving force for
socialization.

What do these video examples share in common about the construction of gender identity?
These videos show up that the cultural background of different countries would affect the construction of gender identity. Refer to
the degree to which an individual sees herself or himself as feminine or masculine based on Society's definitions of appropriate
gender roles.

In what ways do we see cultural influences in gender identity creation?

Gender is not natural but deeply embedded in and shaped by culture. Differences in behavior between men and women are
entirely social conventions, whereas others believe that behavior is influenced by universal biological factors to varying degrees,
with social conventions having a major effect on gendered behavior.

Where in your own environment do you see gender identity being influenced?
In my own cultural environment, Canada, I can see that gender identity being influenced. LGBTQ group are at play in the creation
of gender identity in cultural environment.

What agents of socialization are at play in the creation of gender identity in your own cultural environment?
Family, school, society, and mass media are at play in the creation of gender identity.