Gender identity is an important part of the being of a person. The gender people identify with can often be a product of the society. I identify as a cisgender female. It is possible that I identify as such because of the environment I was brought up in. I often would rely on the psychoanalytic theory. According to this theory, unconscious thoughts and memories influence a person’s identity, actions and beliefs. Ever since I was a child there was always the need to act prim and proper always backed by the phrase “act like a lady.” My father enforced rules regarding waring “appropriate” clothing for women, not to speak a certain way, and how women are expected to date. This unconsciously made me wary of the way I acted and the way I conducted myself.
The body politics that come with identifying as a female is enormous. Body politics refers to how the genders are expected to care for their bodies as well as the way everyone’s body should look. Growing up, there was always the constant urge about how to mind my body as a female. If even a hair was out of place, it would elicit teases. Therefore, I find myself being very mindful about how I carry myself around.
Being a female often comes with some form of objectification. Objectification refers to how society views people as solely objects meant for the pleasure of the viewer. Society often objectifies the female gender. The society is often filled with perceptions about how people who are cisgender should behave and mostly this stems from a point of objectification. For me, this form of objectification has made me at times be wary of myself in order to conform to the societal constructions of being a female. The “rules” for being a woman in society often contradict themselves. For example, women are expected to be sexy yet classy, resilient but not to overbearing for the man. Oftentimes we work hard to educate and make a living for ourselves, to then be downplayed in the work field because we are viewed as less than.
Although I identify as a cisgender female, I am open to all other sexualities and I believe that everyone has the right to be who they want to be do what makes them happy. However, regardless how someone identifies I believe everyone should be treated equal and should not be expected to conform to societal standards.
Hello Tiffany Zeno, I really like your Gender Identity Project i wish everybody will be one day treated equal and should not be expected to conform to societal standards. I am tired to be someone that i am not and being judge constantly by society.
Hello Tifany,
I loved reading your post and you can express yourself within the community.
you mentioned ”often would rely on the psychoanalytic theory. According to this theory, unconscious thoughts and memories influence a person’s identity, actions and beliefs”, do you see yourself following the norms of the society ? or against?
I can also relate to the part about working really hard,but never get promoted just because Im a woman and the boss has to be a men. Some how men are always the president of the company , it’s rarely a women.
Hello Tiffany
Thank you for sharing your story. I think it would be great if you shared a little more on how family has influenced you , other than that I think you did a great job. I definitely agree with you it would be great if everyone had equal right no matter what genre they chose to be, as long as they are happy that’s all that should matter.