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Question

What do you consider "doing gender"?

Goffman argues that gender is merely a display, actors performing. Do you think it is much more than that? He claims it is optional and people are performing for an audience that clearly know that cultures ideas of what it means to be masculine and feminine.

What is he missing?

West and Zimmerman argue that “Doing gender involves a complex of socially guided perceptual, interactional, and micropolitical activities that cast particular pursuits as expressions of masculine and feminine ‘natures’”

Do you agree?

Answer 1

I think that both are correct in certain aspects of their ideas regarding gender.   I think where Goffman is concerned…he neglects to realize that gender is not OPTIONAL.  Gender is forced on you from a young age….I say it is not optional because if you do not ADOPT a gender identity based on gender roles/sexual scripts…one will be ASSIGNED to you (think ascribed status).  Societal labels in regards to gender are in full effect before a child is even born……pink, blue, ballerina, fireman, etc.

Answer 2

Both are right. Gender is a social construct while our s*x is biological.