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1 Paper 3: Deconstructing the Social Control of Gender Name University’s name Course Instructor Date

2 J, a pseudonym chosen to safeguard the privacy of the interviewee, is a 29-year-old woman. The gender of the interviewee, which is female, is a fundamental aspect of the interviewee's identity, shaping the experiences and perspectives of the interviewee uniquely. At the age of 29, the interviewee is at a juncture where life unfolds its complexities and choices made pave the way for future endeavours. Being a woman in the late twenties, J navigates a world where societal expectations and personal aspirations often intersect. As a result, the interviewee’s experiences shaped by gender contributes to a nuanced contribute to a nuanced understanding of the challenges and triumphs that women face in contemporary society. J. is a childhood friend, but we parted ways when she moved to a different town, and we recently met up at the workplace. Regarding the selection choice, I chose J. because I knew where the interviewee was working and based on the role the interviewee had at the workplace, I knew the interviewee had a deep understanding of the ways in which societal norms shape and influence perceptions of gender identity and roles. I used a sensitive and respectful approach to determine whether the interviewee is cisgender since gender identity is a personal and complex aspect of an individual’s identity. Cisgender refers to individuals whose gender identity aligns with the sex assigned to them at birth. While it is essential to recognize that one's gender identity may not always be apparent, open and respectful communication can provide insights into an individual's self- identification. Additionally, I chose to interview this person because females often navigate a complex web of expectations related to appearance, behavior, and roles. The concept of social control of gender can be defined as societal influences and various mechanisms that regulate and shape individuals’ behaviors and expressions based on their gender. In most cases, the controls are rooted in cultural expectations, norms and institutional

3 structures, hence influencing how people internalize, perceive and conform to gender roles. As a result, people identify themselves as cisgender by conforming to dominant gender norms, which reflects the reward system inherent in social control. The social control of gender operates as a set of societal norms, expectations, and rewards that guide individuals toward conforming behaviors aligning with established gender categories. These norms are deeply ingrained in cultural practices, institutions, and interpersonal relationships, shaping the ways people perform their gender identities. The classification of individuals as cisgender, indicating alignment with the sex assigned at birth, reflects conformity to dominant gender norms. There are several examples from the interview conducted with a cisgender female on the aspect of social control and how gender operates. Firstly, in the aspect of romantic relationships, the interviewee mentioned that being cisgender has not posed a significant barrier to their romantic relationships. This means that awareness of one’s gender develops over time, and once an individual acknowledges their identity, they are able to understand diverse gender identities and interact with respect by fostering open communication. Moreover, the interviewee's romantic relationship illustrates how people who adhere to conventional gender norms have smoother interpersonal dynamics. For example, when an individual identifies themselves as cisgender, it gives the other gender an easy time to relate with them as it is how society expects a person to identify themselves compared to a person identifying themselves as transgender. Therefore, the social control of gender operates subtly, rewarding those who align with these norms with increased social acceptance. In the interview, the subject shared a positive experience with familial experience upon embracing their cisgender identity. This shows that the interviewee is still identifying themselves according to the gender assigned to them at birth, and the family members are very okay with it

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4 because they consider it the right thing to do. Thus, this acceptance aligns with societal expectations, reinforcing the notion that conforming to traditional gender roles is rewarded with approval and support. However, deviations from these norms might lead to social sanctions, highlighting the control mechanisms in place. Additionally, during the interview, the interviewee expressed a critical stance towards media representation of cisgender females, acknowledging the perpetuation of stereotypes. For instance, social media platforms often mirror cisgender stereotypes through videos, images and narratives that adhere to traditional gender roles and tend to receive more visibility and engagement. Also, many influencers conform to traditional gender norms in their content to appeal to a wider audience or secure brand partnerships. Generally, through this example, the interviewee highlights the recognition that media plays a pivotal role in reinforcing and shaping societal norms, influencing individuals to conform to specific gendered behaviors and appearances. Furthermore, the interviewee gave examples using school and workplace describing their experiences in school and workplace by emphasizing that being cisgender was a major factor. This shows that because the interviewee conforms to societal expectations, they face a few challenges as everyone perceives them as doing the right thing in the roles they have both at school and at work. However, the interviewee acknowledged the awareness of broader gender dynamics. Also, females, as a marginalized group in many societies, can provide valuable insights into the ways in which gender norms intersect with other forms of social control, such as race, class, and sexuality. Their experiences can shed light on the challenges they face in resisting or conforming to societal expectations and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of social control related to gender. It is due to such challenges that the interviewee emphasized awareness, which suggests that social control of gender

5 influences individuals to internalize societal expectations, even in environments that may claim to be neutral. After conducting the interview, it is okay to conclude that the interviewee's conformity to specific gender norms is likely influenced and maintained through a combination of macro and micro-level practices, each contributing to the broader system of social control. At the macro level, cultural norms and expectations regarding gender play a crucial role in shaping individuals' behavior. Society often upholds certain beliefs and values related to masculinity and femininity, reinforcing binary gender norms. In the interviewee's case, identifying as cisgender aligns with the cultural expectation that an individual's gender identity corresponds with their assigned sex at birth. The interviewee experienced macro-level acceptance and social validation for conforming to cisgender norms within their peer group, like in school. The ideological power is at play in the interviewee's alignment with cisgender norms, influencing the perception of what is considered acceptable and normal in society. Concerning how the interviewee reified and challenged the cisgender privilege, the interview, which involved a cisgender female, offered a glimpse into the ratification of cisgender privilege. This is because, while interviewing the interviewee, I realized that their experience, although deserving and valid of respect, aligns with societal expectations and norms, and that is why the interviewee finds it easy to interact with people in different areas because they consider them doing the right thing. The journey of the interviewee is often supported and celebrated, depicting how cisgender people benefit from a world that privileges and acknowledges their gender identity without question. However, while the interview reifies cisgender privilege, it also offers avenues for challenging it. For instance, the interviewees on media representation of cisgender females depict

6 an awareness of the stereotypes and limitations that are imposed on women. This elaborated on the influence that society has created on media, making them perpetuate stereotypes by only supporting what they view as right based on societal expectations. This shows that the interviewees decided to have their identity, but they also recognize the fact that some women are denied the right to be who they are due to social control. Consequently, by questioning these representations, the interviewee engages in a form of resistance, challenging the one-dimensional narratives that can perpetuate cisnormativity. Regarding why gender-nonconforming individuals are often asked such questions about their gender identity, it is because a majority of the people in society think that such people exist outside the social norm. As a result, people are curious to understand the reasons behind their gender identity and how they survive without conforming to societal expectations. The dominant group, consisting of cisgender individuals, does not face the same level of scrutiny or questioning about their gender identity because their experiences align with established norms. Gender-nonconforming people are among the marginalized groups, and they are often subjected to questioning because society struggles to understand identities outside the normal. Making cisgender privilege and acknowledging its impact and influence is a vital step in deconstructing societal norms. As an interviewer, asking questions about cisgender identity outlines the often visible privilege associated with conforming to established gender norms. Such a marking process is a way of conscious-raising, prompting both the interviewee and the interviewer to critically analyze the implications of cisgender privilege on societal constructions and personal experiences. Ultimately, marking cisgender privilege catalyzes introspection and dialogue because it invites individuals to reflect on their experiences within the context of societal expectations. It encourages the interviewee to reflect on how societal expectations have

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7 shaped their identity and whether their experiences are contingent or universal on the privilege. On the other hand, for the interviewer, it is an opportunity to understand and recognize the privilege inherent in conforming to cisnormativity standards. APPENDIX

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