The History Behind Sociology

The History Behind Sociology Although sociology has its roots in the works of philosophers like Plato, Aristotle, and Confucius, it is a relatively new academic discipline. It emerged in the early 19th century in response to the challenges of modernity. Increasing mobility and technological advances resulted in the increasing exposure of people to cultures and societies different from their own. The impact of this exposure was varied, but for some people, it included the breakdown of traditional norms and customs and warranted a revised understanding of how the world works. Sociologists responded to these changes by trying to understand what holds social groups together and also to explore possible solutions to the breakdown of social solidarity. Thinkers of the Enlightenment period in the 18th century also helped set the stage for the sociologists who would follow. This period was the first time in history that thinkers tried to provide general explanations of the social world. They were able to detach themselves, at least in principle, from expounding some existing ideology and to attempt to lay down general principles that explained social life. The Birth of Sociology as a Discipline The term sociology was coined by French philosopher Auguste Comte in 1838, who for this reason is known as the â€Å"Father of Sociology.† Comte felt that science could be used to study the social world. Just as there are testable facts regarding gravity and other natural laws, Comte thought that scientific analyses could also discover the laws governing our social lives. It was in this context that Comte introduced the concept of positivism to sociology - a way to understand the social world based on scientific facts. He believed that, with this new understanding, people could build a better future. He envisioned a process of social change in which sociologists played crucial roles in guiding society. Other events of that time period also influenced the development of sociology. The 19th and 20th centuries were times of many social upheavals and changes in the social order that interested the early sociologists. The political revolutions sweeping Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries led to a focus on social change and the establishment of social order that still concerns sociologists today. Many early sociologists were also concerned with the Industrial Revolution and the rise of capitalism and socialism. Additionally, the growth of cities and religious transformations were causing many changes in people’s lives. Other classical theorists of sociology from the late 19th and early 20th centuries include Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim,  Max Weber, W.E.B. DuBois, and Harriet Martineau. As pioneers in sociology, most of the early sociological thinkers were trained in other academic disciplines, including history, philosophy, and economics. The diversity of their training is reflected in the topics they researched, including religion, education, economics, inequality, psychology, ethics, philosophy, and theology. These pioneers of sociology all had a vision of using sociology to call attention to social concerns and bring about social change. In Europe, for example, Karl Marx teamed with wealthy industrialist Friedrich Engels to address class inequality. Writing during the Industrial Revolution, when many factory owners were lavishly wealthy and many factory workers despairingly poor, they attacked the rampant inequalities of the day and focused on the role of capitalist economic structures in perpetuating these inequalities. In Germany, Max Weber was active in politics while in France, Emile Durkheim advocated for educational reform. In Britain, Harriet Martineau advocated for the rights of girls and women, and in the U.S., W.E.B. DuBois focused on the problem of racism. The Modern History of Sociology The growth of sociology as an academic discipline in the United States coincided with the establishment and upgrading of many universities that were including a new focus on graduate departments and curricula on â€Å"modern subjects.† In 1876, Yale University’s William Graham Sumner taught the first course identified as â€Å"sociology† in the United States. The University of Chicago established the first graduate department of sociology in the United States in 1892 and by 1910, most colleges and universities were offering sociology courses. Thirty years later, most of these schools had established sociology departments. Sociology was first taught in high schools in 1911. Sociology was also growing in Germany and France during this period. However, in Europe, the discipline suffered great setbacks as a result of World Wars I and II. Many sociologists were killed or fled Germany and France between 1933 and the end of World War II. After World War II, sociologists returned to Germany influenced by their studies in America. The result was that American sociologists became the world leaders in theory and research for many years. Sociology has grown into a diverse and dynamic discipline, experiencing a proliferation of specialty areas. The American Sociological Association (ASA) was formed in 1905 with 115 members. By the end of 2004, it had grown to almost 14,000 members and more than 40 â€Å"sections† covering specific areas of interest. Many other countries also have large national sociology organizations. The International Sociological Association (ISA) boasted more than 3,300 members in 2004 from 91 different countries. The ISA sponsored research committees covering more than 50 different areas of interest, covering topics as diverse as children, aging, families, law, emotions, sexuality, religion, mental health, peace and war, and work. Sources About ASA. American Sociological Association, 2019. Statutes of the International Sociological Association. International Sociological Association.

Postmodern Work Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Postmodern Work - Essay Example This is a prerequisite for that vital characteristic known as modern intelligence. However, the drawback with the theory is that it. The philosopher Richard Tarnas has claimed that post-modernism could not stand on its own values ultimately if we take out the metaphysical impressions on which it has shaped itself and it takes modernism as a fake reality. Post-modernism is referred to as post-modern because it literally refers to everything after modernity. It deals with the new theories and the new sets that need to be evolved with the passage of time because the requirements of the new century and the challenges posed by this new are completely different from those that were posed by the previous ones. Thus, there is a vital need of new theories and a new set of ideas to prove and solve the problems that we encounter in the new world. The knowledge in the modern societies is signified by the use it has. It's also different in the way it is collated, gathered, arranged and stored in postmodern society when compared to the modern societies. The use of computers and the role of information technology has increased greatly in the societies of today. It has specially helped in the modes of knowledge that have now changed in terms of distribution and creation and also the way in which it's used or consumed. For some, post-modernism is synonymous with the start of the computer era that began in 1960s and revolutionized all aspects of modern life and social life. Profile of Artist: Patrick CaulfieldIs He Postmodern Patrick Caulfield was a British artist who was an important artist of the last 50 years. He mostly deals with the pop artistry like prints and so on. He could be referred to as a postmodern artist because of the characteristics of his art. He was a 'pop' artist, the artist of today. Many people could relate to his art, especially the younger population who identified with him and his art. We could call his work postmodern because he deals with the digital themes and so on and so forth. His work is very computerized and digital. Also, he is familiar with the modern themes and talks frequently about them in his art pieces. He is post-modern because he is very 20th century and is after modernity. He is also got a modern appeal with his audiences and admirers. He is also post-modern because he is multi-dimensional and deals with myriad themes and topics. Again, it is a vital characteristic of the post-modern period. He gets abstract at times and direct at others thus allowing a diversity of themes and modes and styles to take over. Here we have an artist of the last past half century who is post-modern as hinted by his work. In a sentence, Patrick Caulfield is the voice of modern art and the illustration below shall graphically tell us the way his work was done and also the various important post-modern characteristics evident in his art. "In postmodern societies, anything which is not

Rita and Sue Escaping Constraints of Class and Gender Backgrounds Essay

Rita and Sue Escaping Constraints of Class and Gender Backgrounds - Essay Example As the paper outlines the next scene is Sue and Rita going to Bob’s house to baby-sit. Also early in the firm, Sue works for a taxi company where she meets Aslam. Again these depict the feminine response to the changing economic and social circumstances of the period. Instead of females staying at home and males going out to work, Rita and Sue are escaping the traditional gender expectation that they assume domestic roles. In another scene, Sue derides Aslam. She first insinuates that being Pakki or Asian is beneath her class, and then makes up her mind that since Aslam is a man he’d probably be no different from all other men, which passes judgment on the growing emasculation of the males of her time. The use of profanity throughout the film is another form of escape. Vulgar language is freely used by males and females alike. For the females, use of such language is gender freedom from previous eras when men silence women. The girls’ sauciness is also a form of rebellion against conformity, an underclass characteristic which have tends to prevent its members from rising above their class.

Agriculture in the Amazon Rainforest Essay Example for Free

Agriculture in the Amazon Rainforest Essay Throughout a hundred centuries people have worked hard to sustain productive agriculture and dense human populations. Certain forms of agriculture are possible, and should be considered sustainable, for the economic development of tropical rainforests. For thousands of years humans have created a disturbance in the rainforests by creating areas of concentrated diversity of species within the landscape. The Indigenous people of the Amazon fostered palm forests, groves of Brazil nuts and fruit trees, and vine forests near ancient Amazonian settlements. Environmentalists could argue that rainforests can be â€Å"saved† by through the restriction of economic growth, but it is vital to realize that the local communities will not approve parks and reserves, as it is in their interest to conserve the rainforest. The shifted cultivator who forces small farmers into the forest to begin new farmlands causes about 60% of deforestation in Amazon. Researchers have warned if we continue to change the use of the land it can affect the region’s climate, and the absorption of carbon dioxide in the Amazon. By converting forests into cropland there is a pronounced ecological and climate impact than land conversions because it involves the complete removal of land biomass, including tree trunks, stumps and woody roots. † (Mike Bettwy of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center). A better approach to addressing the increasing problem of deforestation in the Amazon is to follow the methods that have been used by indigenous forest dwellers for thousands of years. Many cleared forest areas used for agriculture can be salvaged by cultivation techniques. Annual crops, pasture land, are some examples of what can be done to increase agricultural productivity and to reduce the destruction in many rainforests. Effects of human population on the Ecosystem Over 20% of the Amazon Rainforest has been destroyed, in addition to the Amazon Rainforest is gone forever. Unfortunately with human population, the Amazon Rainforest has had effects with loss and harm to the population of wild species. A lot of the land is being clear for cattle ranches, mining operations, logging and subsistence agriculture. According to Raintree (1996) â€Å"Experts estimates that we are losing 137 plant, animal and insect species every single day due to rainforest deforestation. That equates to 50,000 species a year. As the rainforest species disappear, so do many possible cures for life-threatening diseases. Currently, 121 prescription drugs sold worldwide come from plant-derived sources. While 25% of Western pharmaceuticals are derived from rainforest ingredients, less that 1% of these tropical trees and plants have been tested by scientists. If this was happening in 1996, we can only imagine that in 2012 it is so much worst. Sustainability and Conservation Overpopulation causes many problems to the Amazon rainforest. More than 20% of Earths oxygen is produced in this area. As the area is reduced more carbon dioxide will be found the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is important to this issue because plants need it to give off oxygen, which humans need to survive, not only for oxygen but also for food and nutrition for out health. Carbon dioxide is not necessarily a bad thing unless a large amount pollutes the air we need to breathe. Not only can overpopulation of the Amazon affect the air we breathe, but it will also affect the wildlife, water, and food we need to survive. There are over 200 species of trees in on hectare of the Amazon. This is important because there are so many possible cures for life threatening diseases. The Amazon is home to mare species of plants and animals than any other terrestrial ecosystem on the planet. Some interesting animals live in the Amazon and a lot of them are very rare. For example, a new species of freshwater fish, brown-spider monkey and a frog called â€Å"cowboy frog†, were some of the amazing animals discovered in the Amazon. The animals found in the Amazon are endless. It is amazing the new discoveries that have happened over the years and the new ones to come. The animals in the Amazon have live there longer that humans have lived on this planet. The Amazon is one of the largest natural resources and with overpopulation more and more rainforest are becoming non-existent.

William Faulkners Absalom, Absalom! Essay example -- Faulkner Absalom

William Faulkner's "Absalom, Absalom!" William Faulkner’s novel entitled Absalom, Absalom! is a book which systematically utilizes the concept of discovering the past in the present. Faulkner’s use of the past in the present is pertinent in both the construction of the plot of Absalom, Absalom! as well as the extension of its interpreted meanings. Furthermore, Faulkner’s writing of Absalom, Absalom! appears to have been motivated by the great ills and conflicts of the American South, which was most poignant during the American Civil War, while the title, as well as its implications, was simultaneously conceived in Faulkner’s mind. The fact that the story of Absalom in the Old Testament and the plot of Absalom, Absalom! are so strikingly similar suggests that, in Faulkner’s mind, there is no separation between the past and the present. For Faulkner, time is a continuum in which there is no past, so the only time in which people and things exist is either in the present or in the pro jected future. In fact, Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom! demonstrates how the tribulations of the past are often the ills of the present, and, when people, including readers, are able to understand and depart from the failures of human nature, the future holds the possibility of truth and insight. Considering that, for Faulkner, the past is never just the past, there are recognizable parallels betwixt the caricatures of Faulkner in Absalom, Absalom! and the story of Absalom in the Old Testament. For instance, Faulkner’s character Thomas Sutpen absorbs certain traits of both Absalom and his father King David from the Old Testament. Because Thomas Sutpen has the characteristics of both, he is powerful and rules a dynasty like King... ...alid insight into the affairs of the prejudicial and slave stained South. In fact, as Wallace Steven’s suggests in his poem â€Å"Thirteen Ways to of Looking at a Blackbird,† it is the fourteenth view which is the truthful and insightful interpretation, causing a cathartic experience in the individual who perceives it (class notes). However, for those related to and descended from Sutpen, they have similar views of the world, which is embittered by the South’s intolerance for blacks, and they, including Henry, Judith, and Clytemnestra, have grown to abhor the South’s past and, therefore, themselves. As Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom! proves, the inhibitions of the past are often inherited into the present. Works Cited Faulkner, William. Absalom, Absalom! New York: Vintage, 1986. Spoto, Dr. Mary T. Class Notes. ENG 433. 28 March 2006.

Ethics In Science

Ethics is the difference between what is morally right and wrong. A scientist has to know the ethical consequences of their work. The scientist Is responsible. There are many consequences Like the harm and amount of risk and benefit in science. There are also ethical procedures Involved In science. These procedures Include promoting alms of research and knowledge. These procedures help ensure accountability. The big difference Is that ethics and laws are not the same. Laws are established rules while ethics is the morals of a culture.Ethics is important because it makes sure that cooperation and joint endeavors run smoothly. One example of ethics in science is stem cell research. Stem Cell Research is when undeveloped cells are molded from adult cells, embryonic cells, and cord cells to finally be created as other cells. Stem Cell research is used as a treatment for such problems as heart disease, diabetes leukemia, and etc. One pro is that adult stem cells are a renewable source of replacement cells and tissues. Researching and using these stem cells may lead to progress and future discoveries in the future.That is the good part, but there are also some cons. These cons mostly got to do with embryonic stem cells. Some stem ells are taken from embryonic stem cells. The problem Is that scientists find extraction more Important than the misery of destroying a human being. Clients such as Dry. Xavier Lopez said â€Å"This Is the future of medicine, and I want to be a part of it. † Now, Stem Cells hold great potential in helping many human diseases and conditions. Stem cells are able to reproduce without causing damage. These are the ethics of stem cell research. Stem Cells overall can both save and destroy people.In the article, â€Å"Scientists Fabricate Rudimentary Human Livers† by Gina Kola speaks about scientists who have created a human liver from stem cells. This is good because it is a monumental achievement in science. This human liver is an example that stem cells can help us live for a long time. This was done by transferring liver buds into mice. Liver buds were put on the brain and the abdomen. The liver buds functioned Like human livers. Dry. Kenneth Caret states that â€Å"They were letting nature do Its thing rather than trying to conceive of what the right signals might be. This Is an ethical example because It shows that there are some major signs that stem cells are evolving. The creation of this liver is able to replenish organs. This is good because it shows that this liver is able to function. Dry. Take mentions that they can try to take it to the clinic and treat it on people whose liver have stopped working. This is a benefit because people will be able to get some part of their body back. â€Å"This is a major breakthrough of monumental significance† said Dry. Hilled Tibias.In the article, â€Å"Stem Cell Treatments Overtake Science† by Laura Bell talks about how Stem Cells are taking over the medical and scientific world. Maggie Allies, a victim of emphysema found out that adult stem cells were promoted as a cure for everything. † Doctors at the Regenerative Medicine Institute are hoping to take 130 million stem cells and transfer them to her lungs. These stem cells are helping her because the actual doctors could not. Stem Cells have risen because customers Like Maggie are hoping for a â€Å"personal miracle. † Stem Cells are flourishing In TIJuana.This is a big benefit because are about 20 clinics giving adult stem cell therapy to on it. He follows up with it by saying â€Å"It was eye-opening† and â€Å"This is the future of medicine, and I want to be a part of it. † This is good because Dry. Lopez is being ireful and has good intentions. He follows his ideas up by saying that Mexico lacks the government that the USA has. These clinical trials of stem cells are within the accepted structure of the Tijuana government. This is good the go vernment in Tijuana is watching over these trials. Dry.Lopez finally says that â€Å"I'm very proud of what we are doing. † Japanese researchers have created a human liver from human stem cells. Gina Kola covers this story in her article, â€Å"Scientists Fabricate Rudimentary Human Livers. † To create a human liver from stem cells can always cause pros and cons in the scientific field. The cons for creating this human liver are that it's more of an early fetal version. This is bad because it cannot develop into a full human liver. Sadly, the liver cells did not take up space in the body. It did not develop any blood supplies or systems.This is bad because it can damage a person's body. Anyways, other researchers tried recreating this human liver. These other livers would eventually die and would not function. If this liver fails, many things start to happen such as the abdominal area becomes filled with fluid. Eventually, a disease will begin. This is the negative of the human liver cell. This is why it will never be treated on humans. Another bad thing is that this human liver in a three- dimensional structure. Thus, it will never be put into the human body.The article also mentions that Dry. Caret has said, â€Å"We don't know if the cells will grow out of control or will poop out. † These researchers such as Dry. Tibias hopes they soon succeed. â€Å"It really has the potential to undermine the legitimacy of the whole world†, says Dry. Hashes Eased of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Dry. Eased is right because there a lot of controversial ideas surrounding the SE of stem cells. One problem at the Regenerative Medicine Institute is that stem cells cannot regenerate no matter where they are placed.These safety precautions still remain unanswered. This is seriously bad because the patient would not be able to get that kind of service again for too much money. This is also an economical problem because it costs a lot of money to work on these patients. Scientists now fear the consequences of their work because of the growing number of clinics. This brings up the idea that there is responsibility, risk, and benefit involved in having ethics in science. In the article, a pathologist is mentioned to had illegally processed and shipped stem cells without permission from the F.D. A. This is a major problem because without these cells being checked these lives are in danger. Dry. Sedan follows his idea up by saying that patients don't know the difference between science and conning. This is bad because people can be cheated by researchers and they will be affected. Dry. Lopez, the founder of the institute says that he works with the Mexican authorities to follow the uniform standards. In the end, Stem Cells can find a way to destroy us. There are many consequences like the harm and amount of risk and benefit in science.This is shown in both articles. These stories show that scientists are trying to help the world, but not intentionally destroying it. Stem Cells hold great potential in saving human lives. This is the ethics of stem cell research. The human liver is a great achievement in the field of science, but it cannot function. People can recreate these discoveries. Stem Cells are helping people unlike the they are changing the world. Stem Cells might not be fix some things, but soon it will and will be amazing. This is the good and bad of ethics in stem cells. Ethics In Science Ethics is the difference between what is morally right and wrong. A scientist has to know the ethical consequences of their work. The scientist Is responsible. There are many consequences Like the harm and amount of risk and benefit in science. There are also ethical procedures Involved In science. These procedures Include promoting alms of research and knowledge. These procedures help ensure accountability. The big difference Is that ethics and laws are not the same. Laws are established rules while ethics is the morals of a culture.Ethics is important because it makes sure that cooperation and joint endeavors run smoothly. One example of ethics in science is stem cell research. Stem Cell Research is when undeveloped cells are molded from adult cells, embryonic cells, and cord cells to finally be created as other cells. Stem Cell research is used as a treatment for such problems as heart disease, diabetes leukemia, and etc. One pro is that adult stem cells are a renewable source of replacement cells and tissues. Researching and using these stem cells may lead to progress and future discoveries in the future.That is the good part, but there are also some cons. These cons mostly got to do with embryonic stem cells. Some stem ells are taken from embryonic stem cells. The problem Is that scientists find extraction more Important than the misery of destroying a human being. Clients such as Dry. Xavier Lopez said â€Å"This Is the future of medicine, and I want to be a part of it. † Now, Stem Cells hold great potential in helping many human diseases and conditions. Stem cells are able to reproduce without causing damage. These are the ethics of stem cell research. Stem Cells overall can both save and destroy people.In the article, â€Å"Scientists Fabricate Rudimentary Human Livers† by Gina Kola speaks about scientists who have created a human liver from stem cells. This is good because it is a monumental achievement in science. This human liver is an example that stem cells can help us live for a long time. This was done by transferring liver buds into mice. Liver buds were put on the brain and the abdomen. The liver buds functioned Like human livers. Dry. Kenneth Caret states that â€Å"They were letting nature do Its thing rather than trying to conceive of what the right signals might be. This Is an ethical example because It shows that there are some major signs that stem cells are evolving. The creation of this liver is able to replenish organs. This is good because it shows that this liver is able to function. Dry. Take mentions that they can try to take it to the clinic and treat it on people whose liver have stopped working. This is a benefit because people will be able to get some part of their body back. â€Å"This is a major breakthrough of monumental significance† said Dry. Hilled Tibias.In the article, â€Å"Stem Cell Treatments Overtake Science† by Laura Bell talks about how Stem Cells are taking over the medical and scientific world. Maggie Allies, a victim of emphysema found out that adult stem cells were promoted as a cure for everything. † Doctors at the Regenerative Medicine Institute are hoping to take 130 million stem cells and transfer them to her lungs. These stem cells are helping her because the actual doctors could not. Stem Cells have risen because customers Like Maggie are hoping for a â€Å"personal miracle. † Stem Cells are flourishing In TIJuana.This is a big benefit because are about 20 clinics giving adult stem cell therapy to on it. He follows up with it by saying â€Å"It was eye-opening† and â€Å"This is the future of medicine, and I want to be a part of it. † This is good because Dry. Lopez is being ireful and has good intentions. He follows his ideas up by saying that Mexico lacks the government that the USA has. These clinical trials of stem cells are within the accepted structure of the Tijuana government. This is good the go vernment in Tijuana is watching over these trials. Dry.Lopez finally says that â€Å"I'm very proud of what we are doing. † Japanese researchers have created a human liver from human stem cells. Gina Kola covers this story in her article, â€Å"Scientists Fabricate Rudimentary Human Livers. † To create a human liver from stem cells can always cause pros and cons in the scientific field. The cons for creating this human liver are that it's more of an early fetal version. This is bad because it cannot develop into a full human liver. Sadly, the liver cells did not take up space in the body. It did not develop any blood supplies or systems.This is bad because it can damage a person's body. Anyways, other researchers tried recreating this human liver. These other livers would eventually die and would not function. If this liver fails, many things start to happen such as the abdominal area becomes filled with fluid. Eventually, a disease will begin. This is the negative of the human liver cell. This is why it will never be treated on humans. Another bad thing is that this human liver in a three- dimensional structure. Thus, it will never be put into the human body.The article also mentions that Dry. Caret has said, â€Å"We don't know if the cells will grow out of control or will poop out. † These researchers such as Dry. Tibias hopes they soon succeed. â€Å"It really has the potential to undermine the legitimacy of the whole world†, says Dry. Hashes Eased of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Dry. Eased is right because there a lot of controversial ideas surrounding the SE of stem cells. One problem at the Regenerative Medicine Institute is that stem cells cannot regenerate no matter where they are placed.These safety precautions still remain unanswered. This is seriously bad because the patient would not be able to get that kind of service again for too much money. This is also an economical problem because it costs a lot of money to work on these patients. Scientists now fear the consequences of their work because of the growing number of clinics. This brings up the idea that there is responsibility, risk, and benefit involved in having ethics in science. In the article, a pathologist is mentioned to had illegally processed and shipped stem cells without permission from the F.D. A. This is a major problem because without these cells being checked these lives are in danger. Dry. Sedan follows his idea up by saying that patients don't know the difference between science and conning. This is bad because people can be cheated by researchers and they will be affected. Dry. Lopez, the founder of the institute says that he works with the Mexican authorities to follow the uniform standards. In the end, Stem Cells can find a way to destroy us. There are many consequences like the harm and amount of risk and benefit in science.This is shown in both articles. These stories show that scientists are trying to help the world, but not intentionally destroying it. Stem Cells hold great potential in saving human lives. This is the ethics of stem cell research. The human liver is a great achievement in the field of science, but it cannot function. People can recreate these discoveries. Stem Cells are helping people unlike the they are changing the world. Stem Cells might not be fix some things, but soon it will and will be amazing. This is the good and bad of ethics in stem cells.

Whats the Difference Between Sex and Gender

How is gender different from sex? According to sociologists, sex is biological, while gender is socially constructed. Sociologists study how gender socialization occurs and have found that people often face strong social pressures to follow societal gender norms. Key Takeaways: Gender and Sex Sociologists make a distinction between sex, which is biologically determined, and gender, which is socially constructed.People are socialized to perform the gender that corresponds with their biological sex (for example, by behaving in ways that are considered typical for their gender).The normative pressures to perform gender can be strong, and individuals who don’t perform gender in expected ways can face bullying and exclusion. Overview From a sociological standpoint, gender is a performance composed of a  set of learned  behaviors that are  associated with  and expected to follow sex category. Sex category, how we classify ones biological sex,  refers to differences in genitalia used to categorize  humans as male, female, or intersex (ambiguous or co-occurring male and female genitalia). Sex  is thus biologically determined, whereas gender is socially constructed. We are socialized to expect that gender category (man/boy or girl/woman) follows sex, and in turn, to infer that sex follows the perceived gender of a person.  However, as the rich diversity of gender identities and expressions makes clear, gender does not necessarily follow sex in the ways we are socialized to expect. In practice, many people, regardless of sex or  gender identity, exude a combination of social characteristics that we consider both masculine and feminine. Gender as a Performance In 1987, sociologists Candace West and Don Zimmerman offered a now widely accepted definition of gender in an article published in the  journal Gender Society. They wrote, â€Å"Gender is the activity of managing situated conduct in light of normative conceptions of attitudes and activities appropriate for one’s sex category. Gender activities emerge from and bolster claims to membership in a sex category.† The authors emphasize here the normative expectation that one’s gender match one’s sex category, claiming, even, that gender is a performance meant to prove one’s sex. They argue that people rely on a variety of resources, like mannerisms, behaviors, and consumer goods to perform gender. (To get a sense of how strong social pressures are to perform a particular gender, consider how many everyday consumer products might be branded as â€Å"for men† and â€Å"for women,† even when there are no substantial differences between the male and female versions of the product.) Yet, it is precisely because gender  is  a performance that one’s gender does not have to â€Å"match† one’s sex category. By adopting certain behaviors, mannerisms, styles of dress, and sometimes body modifications like binding breasts or wearing prostheses, a person can perform any gender of their choosing. Gender and Social Expectations West and Zimmerman write that doing gender is an achievement, or accomplishment, that  is a fundamental part of proving one’s competence as a member of society. Doing gender is part and parcel of how we fit in with communities and groups, and whether we are perceived as normal. Take, for example, the case of gender performance at college parties. A woman student of mine once recounted in a class discussion how her experiment at doing gender â€Å"wrong† resulted in disbelief, confusion, and anger at a campus event. While it is seen as perfectly normal for men to dance with a woman from behind, when this woman student approached men in this manner, her behavior was taken as a joke or as weird by some men, and even as a threat which resulted in hostile behavior by others. By reversing the gender roles of dancing, the woman student made herself appear to fail to understand gender norms, and was shamed and threatened for doing so. The results of the woman student’s micro-experiment demonstrate another aspect of West and Zimmerman’s theory of gender as an interactional achievement — that when we do gender we are held accountable by those around us. The methods by which others hold us accountable to what is perceived as the â€Å"correct† doing of gender vary widely, and include doling out praise for normative gender performances, like compliments on hair or clothing styles, or for â€Å"ladylike† or â€Å"gentlemanly† behavior. When we fail to do gender in the normative fashion, we may be met with subtle cues like confused or upset facial expressions or double takes, or overt cues like verbal challenges, bullying, physical intimidation or assault, and exclusion from social institutions. One area in which gender has been highly politicized and contested has been at educational institutions. In some cases, students have been sent home or excluded from school functions for wearing clothing that is not perceived as normal for their gender, such as when boys attend school in skirts, or girls wear tuxes to prom or for senior yearbook photos. In sum, gender is a socially-situated performance and accomplishment that is framed and directed by social institutions, ideologies, discourse, communities, peer groups, and other individuals in society. Further Reading Prominent social scientists who research and write about gender today include Gloria Anzaldà ºa, Patricia Hill Collins, R.W. Connell, Brittney Cooper, Yen Le Espiritu, Sarah Fenstermaker, Evelyn Nakano Glenn, Arlie Hochschild, Pierrette Hondagneu-Sotelo, Nikki Jones, Michael Messner, Cherrà ­e Moraga, C.J. Pascoe, Cecilia Ridgeway, Victor Rios, Chela Sandoval, Verta Taylor, Hung Cam Thai, and Lisa Wade.