Respond to the following prompt in an essay, using a minimum of three assigned readings from Modules 1-3 to support your argument (notes and videos do not count as “readings” but you’re welcome to bring those sources in to your essay as additional support):
How do you perform your gender on a daily basis? What signs and indicators do you use to project your gender identity to the world? In what ways do you feel your (gendered) body “fits” or does not “fit” into the (public) world around you? Do you feel comfortable in the gendered activities assigned to you by your society and culture, or do you feel constrained by them ( – or something in between, perhaps)?
In addressing the prompt, make sure you make it clear that you understand the differences between sex and gender (and that both of these terms are separate from sexuality) and that you make use of the concepts of gender identity, gender performance, gendered socialization (socialization by assigned gender), and gender expectations (from society.) You do not have to define these terms – correct use of the terms is all that’s required.
There is no specific word count required for this essay, so long as you cover the topic, but most responses will be about three typed pages, double spaced in a standard font. Please note: if you do not feel comfortable discussing yourself in the context of the above prompt, you can instead discuss gender performance, gendered socialization, and gender expectations that you see around you. (So, “how do those around you perform gender? What signs and indicators do they use?…” Swap each “you” in the prompt with unnamed/nonspecific people in your everyday environment.)