Social Construction of Gender for the Male Drag Queens

Document Type:Essay

Subject Area:Sociology

Document 1

The social construction of gender for this group of people has developed significantly because people have started to recognize the drag queens. Television shows, live performances, and other social events featuring the drag queens have significantly increased. The various indicators of the drag queen gender status in the social world will help in understanding the social construction of this group of people. Literature Review The drag race has been experiencing various challenges in trying to prove to the world that they are worth being recognized in what they do. Over the years the drag race has been criticized2 for what the public refers to as protesting against the norms of gender. The idea that some specific areas have specific dress codes for both male and female means that the drag queens have a tough test to pass regarding accessing entry into such areas.

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However, in the 21st-century things are taking a turn for the better for this group of people. The availability of RuPaul in the media platform has helped create more awareness about the need for the society to accept that drag queens are just trying to express who they are and should, therefore, be recognized. Loss of friendships and family support is also among the social experiences the drag queens go through in their course of interaction with others. 3 Since impersonation is widely considered as a practice that goes against the norms of gender, not many want to be associated with it in any way except for the drag queens. 4 This usually makes individuals get anxious during their performances. No person would want their name to make headlines for the wrong reasons.

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Most of the drag queens, however, argue that they are only expressing what they feel is right for themselves just as anyone else would do what they like. The public has a different opinion, which is that these drag queens are simply trying to become women and that is against the norms of gender. The reality of looking less attractive than their female counterparts makes the drag queens’ gender experiences quite tough. Cosmetic Modifications Cosmetic modifications are an important part of the daily life of a drag queen. This is vital because for these people to act like women they should first look like women. Over the years, the drag queens in North America have often been using excessive cosmetics to portray a feminine face.

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This is a pattern that has been amongst the drag queen since it started. The cosmetics range from those applied on the face to those applied on other body parts. 8 This has been a pattern common among the drag queens all along since they want to make an impression to the public and express their need to be recognized in the North American society. However, this has not gone well for them occasionally. This is mainly because adopting some of the female behavior when they are leaving in a society that respects the norms of gender is weird. Interactional Roles The pattern of taking the interactional role of the women proves that someone is a drag queen. They do take up these roles in order to identify themselves to the people that they are drag queens.

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The actions done by these people form a pattern that has been there and is adopted by every generation that comes. Therefore, their gender construction becomes stronger each day they portray womanhood when they carry out actions purported to be women’s. Names Drag queens are naturally born male and are, therefore given male names. However, this changes with time as they begin to become professional drag queens. The essence of changing their names into female ones is to suit into the women’s population and give a similar impression of their looks. 10 Drag queens also construct their culture by adapting to the manners of the females. When they behave like women where their physic portrays manhood, it becomes clear that they are trying to establish a gender that they wish to be recognized in society.

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By virtue of mimicking the females’ behavior and mixing the same with their male personalities, a new type of gender is created. It remains their effort to ensure that they promote it to the levels where the other people shall appreciate their existence. This type of construction of gender does not conform to the beliefs that exist amongst people in North America because naturally it is expected a man shall behave manly and show leadership. The presence of a television show for competitions amongst the drag queens helps in promoting the activities that they engage themselves in. At the same time, this creates awareness to the world that the aspect of the drag queen is on the spotlight to last forever and not just a one time show.

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This essentially attracts other potential admirers of this race to join the other and continue constructing their gender. This is evident from the historical happenings within this race. The past decades have a growth in this culture and it is more popular in the current century than it was one hundred years ago, for example. This explains why their social status is not as good as it would have been, were they to stick to their normal way of life. 13 The findings of this paper pretty much rhyme with the work that most of the research says about the drag queens. The idea that they experience discrimination is clear from their social status in the community. Most of the drag queens are less attractive than the real women and this is evident from the point that they have to use excess cosmetic modifications to try and bring a good look to their faces.

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