Socialization and the Performance of Gender

Gender is a performance that is a result of early socialization. From early on, children are taught what is correct for boys and girls. These notions of gender roles are a result or application of social concepts. Gender roles are the established norms of a society and are culturally relative. This paper will attempt to describe the results of an observational study in the setting of an airport and link American social norms of gender to the findings. Norms will be analyzed in terms of body language, clothing, and various other performances.

The general layout is divided into two major areas: formal and informal. For the purpose of this paper, the lobby serves as the informal area. This is where people read, partake in discussions, eat, and wait for the arrival of their flight. Chairs and newspaper stands are contained in this area. However, the formal area is quite the opposite. It runs adjacent to the lobby and is characterized by people quickly moving to reach their appropriate gate. This area is formal for the simple fact that it serves one key purpose, which is to provide an area of transportation from one place to another. It is in this formal area where much of the gender performance occurs.

Gender boundaries are often breechable—that is, males and females do not always perform in a manner that supports gender roles. For instance, a woman can often wear jeans and a T-shirt—which is normally considered men’s attire—without much problem. On the other hand, if men wear women’s attire such as a dress, then they are considered to be defying their gender norms. Thus, the men have breached their gender boundaries. Often, there are certain activities of social control to reprimand this behavior such as giving dirty looks and, at times, violence is used to reinforce social norms of gender.