What Is Gender?

What Is Gender?

The authors critique J. Richard Udry's "Biological Limits of Gender Construction" (2000) & its claim that prenatal exposure to testosterone determines adult gendered behavior. Udry's argument claims to integrate both biological & sociological models, but is actually reduc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American sociological review Vol. 66; no. 4; pp. 598 - 605
Main Authors: Kennelly, Ivy, Merz, Sabine N., Lorber, Judith
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Los Angeles, CA American Sociological Association 01-08-2001
SAGE Publications
Subjects:
Adults
Biological Factors
Biological gender
Children
Comments and Replies
Femininity
Gender construction
Gender roles
Masculinity
Men
Methodological Problems
Sex
Sex Role Orientations
Sex Stereotypes
Social order
Sociobiology
Testosterone
Theoretical Problems
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Summary:The authors critique J. Richard Udry's "Biological Limits of Gender Construction" (2000) & its claim that prenatal exposure to testosterone determines adult gendered behavior. Udry's argument claims to integrate both biological & sociological models, but is actually reductionist, implying the simplistic "nature vs nurture" dichotomy. His assumptions about masculinity & femininity are stereotypical & ignore culture context in favor of a static individualism. His research is weakened by the social, racial, & economic narrowness of his subject group. Lastly, the implications of his argument are intellectually & politically reactionary: they assume the futility of attempting to alter the biological inevitability of sexual inequality. 52 References. K. Coddon
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
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ISSN:0003-1224
1939-8271
DOI:10.1177/000312240106600407