Distinguish between essentialist and constructivist arguments? How do each view gender? Why do sociologists rely on the latter?

 

Modern essentialism consist of a belief that certain phenomena are natural, inevitable and biologically determined. Essentialist hold the view that certain categories such as women or racial groups have an underlying reality or true nature that one cannot observe directly. additionally, this underlying reality is thought to give objects their identities and are responsible for similarities that category members share. Gender essentialism is the belief that a person, thing or particular trait is inherently and permanently male and masculine or female and feminine. thus biological sex is the primary factor in determining gender.

Social constructionism on the other hand, believes that reality is socially constructed(partially if not entirely) and emphasizes language as an important means by which we interpret experiences. A social constructionist views gender looks beyond categories and examines the intersections of multiple identities and the blurring of the boundaries between essentialist categories.

Sociologist prefer social constructionism since it uncovers the ways in which individuals and groups participate in the construction of their perceived social reality . It involves looking at the ways social phenomena are developed, institutionalized, known, and made into traditions by human.