4.xps World Applied Sciences Journal 31 (3): 298-301, 2014 ISSN 1818-4952 © IDOSI Publications, 2014 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wasj.2014.31.03.14276 Corresponding Author: N.L. Vinogradova, Philosophy Department, Volgograd State Technical University, Ph.D 400005, Volgograd, Prospekt Lenina, 30, kv. 36, Russia. Tel: 8-902-362-42-91. 298 Rational and Non-Rational Reasons for Gender Representaition N.L. Vinogradova and E.Y. Leontyeva1 2 Philosophy Department, Volgograd State Technical University, Ph.D 400005, 1 Volgograd, Prospekt Lenina, 30, kv. 36, Russia Philosophy Department, Volgograd State Technical University, Ph.D 400082, 2 Volgograd, 50 let Oktyabrya str., 17, kv. 643, Russia Abstract: This article renders the analysis of such a problem of full or partial change of person’s gender-role characteristics that is expressed in gender representation. This happens when the necessity to present person’s natural social gender becomes less eminent and one has possibility to choose his/her gender identity. Rational and non-rational reasons and gender representation factors are also introduced and basic types of gender representation are named. Key words: Gender representation Identity Femininity Masculinity Communication principles INTRODUCTION MATERIALS AND METHODS Patriarchial attitude to human subject gender-role We understand gender representation as redefinition characteristics has traditionally predominated in Russia. of the social role positions. It is a change induced by Problems of feminism and masculinity had risen in the social circumstances or correction of the formed gender West already at the end of the 19 century, but they were that is manifested in expressing the desired gender byth not of current interest to the majority of Russian appropriate communicative signs and symbols and population and almost were not addressed by the Russian communicating this gender to the social being. scientific thought. The same can be said about gender Theoretical stress of the gender representation notion is studies-their development stage happened only in the limited to the distinction between the predetermined second half of the XX century, whereas the gender biological reality and traditionally formed gender type and philosophy and sociology are still in their infancy. newly designed gender represented to the society in a Nevertheless, very active globalization and certain situation. computerization are of concern in Russia and promote Representation evolves as a problem when the actively the inoculation of western behavior and mindset human essence and the role played by the subject in all life spheres-in economics, politics, culture, ceases to be apparent and is constructed as something religion, etc. The philosophical topics that have not been self-consistent and independent of existential essence actual in earlier years are intensively studied nowadays, which leads in the end to the necessity of change or in particular the topic of gender studies [1-4]. correction of the self-identity. Gender representation Globalization and westernization influence greatly the arises also as a problem when the choice of identity communications scene-mass media broadcast the becomes possible. Until the identity is not disputed and behavior samples, standards and stereotypes, there is no possibility of its choice, representation is not including the social gender characteristics. needed. It is in classical philosophy that is apparent that Human subjects find themselves in a situation, the idea of biological constituent is the fundamental for when traditional for Russia gender mindset is being human essence expression of the subject [5]. criticized, reconsidered and positioned as obsolete, Natural beingness, existence of a person are the primary which entails gender representation. fundamentals for demonstrating all the rest. However, World Appl. Sci. J., 31 (3): 298-301, 2014 299 the situation of post-modernism stresses the context and Virtual gender representation is a special and multiplicity [6-8]. That’s what creates the possibility of distinct type. It is generated by information technologies, gender representation which is in reality based on the Internet and virtual communities, when a person multiplicity of a subject roles or variable identity. practically does not represent his/her gender in social This reflects worldwide tendency to continual changes, reality and demonstrates in virtual community the identity transformations and metamorphosis. that is inappropriate to his/her gender. Such gender Presentation develops into representation when the “game” can be multiple and in different virtual human subject has a possibility to choose the communities subject is free to demonstrate different identity. Gender representation becomes possible in a characteristics of any gender. The intrigue of virtual situation when the subject has a desire or necessity to community consist in the fact that a subject can simulate demonstrate not a real identity, but the identity that is a gender identity and create a sequence of symbols that objectively expected, demanded or subjectively desired. are not associated with biological gender. One of the In accordance with that gender representation options is a deliberate shift and confounding of gender demonstrated the change or correction of identities that signs and symbols that are defined as gender are not identical in reality or do not reflect the essence. relativization. Such situation can be related to unrealized In doing so, the representations affect greatly the society person’s aspirations or can be considered as a start of by substituting the “real essence”. Subject’s choice of the actual representation. desired representation depends on subjective and It is obvious that reasons and factors affecting the objective self-appraisal, freedom of choice, rational and gender representation are numerous. We will indicate non-rational factors. those that are in our opinion the most evident and can be RESULTS AND DISCUSSION “rational and irrational”, using the classic definition for What motivates the contemporary human being, Rational reasons for gender representation are acting in some situations as “agent”, to ponder over generated by objective reality in economics, politics and self-gender identity and undertake some actions culture in some regions and in society in general. to correct or fully change it by means of Conventionally the activity in these areas had been the representation? priority of men. In accordance with that a subject who First of all we are interested in social conditions, wanted to obtain any results in those areas had to causes and situations that influence the gender demonstrate stereotype traits of masculine gender: representation processes. Let’s mention that gender highly educated level, professionalism, firmness, ability to representation can be partial, full indecisive, full ultimate be determined in decision-making, independency, and virtual. We name it partial gender representation, impartiality, etc. when a person demonstrates some traits of other It would be unfair to think that gender stereotypes do gender by means of communicative signs and symbols. not undergo changes. Social perceptions and standards, Full representation of the gender-role essence can be a way of life and lifestyle change, so do the stereotype consequence of the impact of all rational and non-rational ideas of gender behavior. In modern society there is no reasons and factors aggregate. It is manifested as more image of a man as of the only earner and demonstration of a complete set of other gender signs and defender in the family, the stereotype of a woman as symbols (visually the subject is perceived as clearly delicate and powerless is broken. These changes are defined and communicated gender type). Full gender evoked by increased social activity of women that representation can be influenced by social factors, as well started in the beginning of the twentieth century. as clinical changes in the human body, which we do not However, transformation of stereotype images of gender consider. In case of full ultimate gender representation we predetermination in politics, economics and culture speak of introducing physiological and clinical changes happen at a much slower rate than that of a social reality to the human body. More often modern world gives us changes. Therefore, human subject willing to achieve the examples of full indecisive and partial gender something that stands out of his/her gender stereotype is representation. We would like to stipulate that clinical and forced to represent him/her-self in order to assure suitable physiological changes in the functions of biological perception of the individual self. In other words, organism of a man or woman that lead to change of to propagate in communicative environment those signs gender-role behavior are not considered in and symbols that are grounded in stereotype perception this article. of the majority of population. analyzed by means o f traditional dichotomy as the latter notions [9,10]. World Appl. Sci. J., 31 (3): 298-301, 2014 300 It is apparent that rational reasons for gender relations in the beginning of the XX century gave way to representation lie in the need to adapt to certain native version of emancipation. One of the most complex conditions that have changed or in the need to conform factor affecting gender representation is the assignment to the present social reality. First, rational reasons are of the rights and duties, social roles and behavior types understood. Second, they are justified and thus, in socio-cultural environment. There is a direct pragmatic. New job search, need to step into new social relationship between such assignment and type of institution or to join new social group (stratum), mentality, confession and existing morale and traditions. obvious success of some expected results in For reasons given it is possible to trace the evolution of problem-solving are the examples of rational reasons for functions belonging to social roles and assigned to men gender representation. and women in history from complementarity to Non-rational reasons for gender representation are interchangeability. generated by person’s subjective perception of gender In general, even regardless of great variety of factors, given to him/her at birth. A person thinks that to be a in the modern world where integration processes are human of an opposite gender is more comfortable and strong, one can speak of tendency to reorientation of pleasant, that it brings more satisfaction from reality and women towards masculine behavior and of men to more realization of his/her plans. Such subjective views feminine behavior and thus, of re-representation of social are very well described by a Russian proverb: “The place gender of one-self. Many girls that have been brought up is best of all where we haven’t been at all” or, in other in traditional gender mindset (towards family, bringing up words, “It is good for the one, who is not myself”. of children, taking care of husband etc.), becoming adults We understand non-rational reasons for gender and being influenced by external factors and mass media, representation as those that are beyond rational change their orientation and communicate to consciousness, they cannot be expressed in logical the society a gender type with pronounced masculine notions, are less studied due to their specific features and characteristics (career oriented, freedom in sexual usually considered in theory. Human subject can know by relations, unwillingness to bother themselves with the sixth sense about importance of a certain gender-role children, etc.). Representation examples are relevant not function (that is different to the gender he/she represents only to women. Moreover, if the contemporary culture at the moment) in some situations. So he/she changes or fosters woman’s trait in small girls, it breeds less and less corrects the behavior or appearance in accordance with in small boys such traits as a warrior, hunter and host and that. Emotions can also influence the representation of renders authoritativeness, aggressiveness and self-gender. Use of loud voice and explicit language by a assertiveness as negative values. In this sense the woman is an effort to emphasize her strength and formation of masculinity in boys is tempered from very masculine essence that is thought to be more demanded young age. Growing boy and adult man experience even in this or that situation. Tears as female emotional symbol greater suppression of the male principle when they do can be unconsciously used by men also in some not find the demand for their skills and will to defend, situations and to present them as sensual and emotionally protect, bear responsibility, be the earner and the only open-traits which are perceived to be positive supporter of a family. Men presenting traditionally characteristics for men nowadays. feminine traits such as tenderness, kindness and tolerance Gender representation within the frame of become more solicited (even when looking for a sex communication environment is not a national or special partner) which forces men to represent themselves in a feature. It is to a large extent evoked by globalization and different gender. Such changes in gender behavior styles unification of the world society. Nevertheless the are communicated by means of sociocultural signs and phenomenon of gender representation has some symbols. peculiarities in each national and culture type that depend on mentality, special traditional lifestyle and existing CONCLUSION gender behavior. All these can be special factors that influence gender representation. Summing up, the tendency to gender representation For example, during a long time gender status of Slavic woman, her system of values related to balance between family and work had been the subject to significant changes. Patriarchial lifestyle in family is a complex factor of men and women positions in the system of social stratification of contemporary society. It is related to system of values, social status and social gender preferences. Present human being finds himself in World Appl. Sci. J., 31 (3): 298-301, 2014 301 a complex situation regarding the construction of his/her 3. Kon, I.S., 2009. A man in a changing world. M.: gender, because, on the one hand, he/she experiences the influence of traditional values and on the other hand, the influence of modern feministic sociocultural principles. As a consequence, it is not uncommon when gender representation takes place for social, economic and political reasons. Such phenomenon affects the stability of the whole society. Funding: [The paper is written by the support of the Russian Foundation for Humanities. Grant project No. 14-13-34028 "Peculiarities and reasons for gender representations in the situation of ethnocultural variety in the region of South Russia” (Project Supervisor N.L. Vinogradova)]. REFERENCES 1. Zdravomyslova, E.A. and A.A. Temkina, 1998. Social construction of gender, Sociological journal, 3/4: 171-182. 2. Makarov, V.V. and I.V. Vasilenko, 2002. Philosophy and sociology of gender. Volgograd: Politechnik, pp: 188. Vremya, pp: 496. 4. Serebryanskaya, V.N., 2011. 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