Halsey Percival Whittington Comm 452 October 22nd 2012 Race & Gender Identity The fear of the

unknown and the unexplainable is a natural part of being a human. This fear leads to confusion and uncertainty; it is here where categorizing comes into the picture. In order for the human brain to process ideas, the brain must categorize this idea into a category that it knows and understands. This need to place all people and ideas into a category pigeonholes people and ideas into a box with parameters too small for the classification to cover all the unique qualities brought to life by various people and their ideas. Race and gender are two examples of socially constructed categories, whose definitions run along a spectrum. Each individual creates their own definition of gender and race based upon how that person chooses to live their life within both categories. Both of these classifications of people are social constructs that allow for society to attempt gaining a better understanding of the individual. However we are all unique beings and a singular definition for both race and gender isolates the groups that do not buy into the mass explanation of what it means to be the gender and race that the majority of society would class them into. Gender is biologically assigned at birth. In a humans formation certain traits are assigned that, in most cases, will lead one to either mature into a male or a female. However, gender leads to a bundle of other categories assigned based upon whether one is a considered a masculine male or a nurturing female. As stated by Foss, Domencio, and Foss (2012) gender is defined as the roles, behaviors, and

personality traits assigned by socialization (p. 7). While in biological terms gender is assigned at birth, the process of socialization leads to males and females evolving into encompassing a unique mixture of traits that are not necessarily all corresponding with the gender assigned at birth. Personally, I identify myself as being both genetically and psychologically female. I have never questioned my gender or been outcast by society for my choice, an example of successful socialization. While at times I have thought being born a male might allow increased opportunities for myself, I believe being born a female also brings opportunities that I would not have been able to take advantage of otherwise. I define the social traits of being female for me as caring, outspoken, intellectual, understanding, and motivated. However, based within those traits I attempt to exemplify, it is obvious that easily a person who identifies as male could also use the same adjectives to describe himself or herself. While gender is based upon socialization, race is similar as in recognizing yourself as a certain race comes down to your socialization combined with your familial upbringing. Race is another concept that attempts to categorize our differences as a species in order to make general assumptions about the person behind the race. The definition of race, according to Michael Omi and Howard Winant(19 86) comes down to innate characteristics, of which skin color and other physical attributes provide only the most obvious, and in respects most superficial, indicators of what the person behind the identified race represents (p. 14). While I have always checked the White box when filling out any official document where a race is asked for, I do not feel like being white says much about who I am. By stating

Im white, I give no indication of what European nation my family hails from and with it comes the awkward pause when in a room where all those around me do not identify similarly. To my relatives that still live in Norway, Im their American cousin. To them, Im easily classifiable. I was born and raised in America, I carry with me traits and attributes unique to all that have grown up in this country. I could categorize myself as European American, to give more indication as to my skin color however; I dont identify myself as being Norwegian. My relatives are the true Norwegians, having lived their whole lives there and having a great understanding of the history, culture, and unique societal constructs. I cannot honestly recognize as much of a Norwegian, being as I will never have the insight or the understanding that comes with spending ones life in the country that defines their racial background. Being a female in America has many different meanings, while I believe I have choices about what my future. I know I have choices whether or not I will hold a steady career, have children, marry, and how those choices will intercept with each other. However, while Id like to be a elementary school teacher, ultimately I want to start my own family. A husband, two kids, a dog, and a house with a huge front porch would mean to me that most of my dreams became a reality. I understand that I exemplify the traditional role of an American female, an oldfashioned position that I see society slowly moving away from. More and more women have gone back into the workforce, choose not to marry, or have children without maintaining the father in her familys life; women are at a point in history where they have the ultimate authority in the path their lives will follow, without

the outdated stigma that women belong in the household. Jane Gerhard (2005) states women, if they so chose, can work, talk, and have sex like men while still maintaining all the privileges associated with being an attractive woman (p.75). While I know many women do not share this life plan as I do, many would probably even say Im throwing my life away, be choosing to follow the path that women have been forced into for centuries previously. However, thats the beauty of being a female at this point in history, what I want for myself today could drastically change by this time next year and I wont hesitate to go after what I want. While I carry a definition of gender and race based upon my own circumstances and socialization, my definitions cannot be applied to anyone but myself. In order to survive in the world, each individual must have defined gender and race in terms that apply and work within their life. Society is made up of an eclectic mix of personalities and characters that by boxing into categories grossly ignores the unique qualities and insights that everyone weaves into our social fabric. Socialization and upbringing is a processes that cannot be identical across society, too many factors influence our development. Our social constructions bind society into singularly defined groups that, while might apply to a few individuals; ultimately no one can exemplify the standard.

Sources Domencio, M.E, & Foss, K.A, & Foss, S.K (2012). Gender Stories: Negotiating Identity in a Binary World. Domencio, M.E,(ed.) & Foss, K.A, (ed.) & Foss, S.K (ed.). Long Grove, IL: WAVELAND

Gerhard, J. (2005). Gender, Race, and Class in Media. Dines, G (ed.), & Humez, J.M (ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE

Omi, M, & Winant, H (1986). Race, Class and Gender in the United States. Rothenberg, P.S (ed.). New York, NY: WORTH