Chapter 3. Controversial Issues

Is gender contextual?

In their investigation of masculinity, Jones and Heesacker (2012) argue that gender is socially constructed and dependent on cues in the environment. For example, an adolescent boy might act aggressively because his strength is challenged, not because he is an aggressive person. A girl might not speak out assertively in class not because she lacks confidence or the ability to be assertive but because she knows the teacher only calls on boys in her classroom.