Theorist Judith Butler Explains How Behavior Creates Gender: A Short Introduction to Gender Performativity

Key Concepts

• Gender Performativity:

  • The idea that gender is not a fixed attribute but rather a set of behaviors that are performed.
  • Judith Butler argues that gender identity is a performative accomplishment compelled by social sanctions and taboos.
  • Gender is an identity constructed through the repetition of acts.
  • Performativity is not the same as performance; it is not about "putting on" gender like a costume.
  • Acts such as saying "guilty" or "I do" serve as examples of performative speech, which creates a new reality through repetition.

• Distinction Between Sex and Gender:

  • Originating from Simone de Beauvoir's assertion that "one is not born, but rather becomes, a woman."
  • Sex is a biological concept, while gender is a social construction derived from behaviors and social roles.

• Judith Butler's Essay "Performative Acts and Gender Constitution":

  • Discusses the way gender roles are not invented by individuals but are instead imposed by societal norms.
  • Gender becomes naturalized as a necessary part of reality, though it is a historical and social construct.

Important Points

• Cultural Influence on Gender:

  • Gender norms and identities are influenced by cultural contexts and can vary widely across different cultures and historical periods.
  • These norms are subject to change.

• No "Wrong" Gender Performance:

  • According to Butler, there is no correct way to perform gender, as it is a social construct.

Related Theories

• Gender Essentialism vs. Social Constructivism:
  • Gender essentialism views gender as fixed and based on biology.
  • Social constructivism, which aligns with Butler's views, sees gender roles as created by social interactions and cultural contexts.

Video Explanations

• Big Think Video:
  • Butler describes gender as a phenomenon continuously being produced and reproduced.
• Philosophy Tube Video:
  • Provides further explanations of Butler's theory and important related concepts.

Criticisms and Comments

• The theory has faced criticism for being complex and difficult to understand.
• Some argue that Butler's theory is based on personal experiences and self-loathing of gender norms.
• Critiques include claims that the theory doesn't adequately address the reciprocal aspect of performative acts, where others may not perceive or accept the gender being performed.

Related Content and Further Reading

• Judy!: A fanzine offering a punk-rock perspective on Judith Butler.
• Simone de Beauvoir's Feminist Philosophy: An animated introduction to her works.
• Essential Feminist Books: A reading list curated by The New York Public Library.

These notes cover Judith Butler's exploration of gender performativity, emphasizing the role of behavior in creating and perpetuating gender identities and challenging the concept of gender as a static, biologically determined fact. The discussions also highlight the complexity and variability of gender norms and the critiques faced by Butler's theories.