Doing GenderDoing Gender

Key ConceptsKey Concepts• We re-create We re-create gender meanings and gendered social gender meanings and gendered social

structures when we act like men/women.structures when we act like men/women.• Gender is routinely reproduced. We don’t even realize it.Gender is routinely reproduced. We don’t even realize it.• Gender is a product of interactions not individuality.Gender is a product of interactions not individuality.• When we interact in gendered ways, we “do gender.”When we interact in gendered ways, we “do gender.”

Key ConceptsKey Concepts• We re-create We re-create gender meanings and gendered social gender meanings and gendered social

structures when we act like men/women.structures when we act like men/women.• Gender is routinely reproduced. We don’t even realize it.Gender is routinely reproduced. We don’t even realize it.• Gender is a product of interactions not individuality.Gender is a product of interactions not individuality.• When we interact in gendered ways, we “do gender.”When we interact in gendered ways, we “do gender.”

• We behave so people always see our behavior as We behave so people always see our behavior as ““gender-appropriategender-appropriate.”.”• Our contradictions go unnoticed.Our contradictions go unnoticed.• Behaviors are used to legitimate or discredit other Behaviors are used to legitimate or discredit other

behaviors.behaviors.

Key ConceptsKey Concepts• We re-create We re-create gender meanings and gendered social gender meanings and gendered social

structures when we act like men/women.structures when we act like men/women.• Gender is routinely reproduced. We don’t even realize it.Gender is routinely reproduced. We don’t even realize it.• Gender is a product of interactions not individuality.Gender is a product of interactions not individuality.• When we interact in gendered ways, we “do gender.”When we interact in gendered ways, we “do gender.”

• We behave so people always see our behavior as We behave so people always see our behavior as ““gender-appropriategender-appropriate.”.”• Our contradictions go unnoticed.Our contradictions go unnoticed.• Behaviors are used to legitimate or discredit other Behaviors are used to legitimate or discredit other

behaviors.behaviors.• Our gendered identity (not gender identity) is Our gendered identity (not gender identity) is fluidfluid..• Thinking about this through the habitus/field lens.Thinking about this through the habitus/field lens.• Gender is an accomplishment . . it takes work!Gender is an accomplishment . . it takes work!• Doing gender strengthens differences and makes them Doing gender strengthens differences and makes them

“essential.”“essential.”