Emily Tubman and Social Construction of Gender

Social construction of gender begins with "an assignment to a sex category on the basis of what the genitalia look like at birth" (Lorber 277). Once gender is assigned, expectations regarding behavior, dress, language use, and even jobs will follow that person for the rest of his or her life. "Gender is so pervasive in our society we assume it is bred into our genes" (Lorber 276) but gender is actually made up by society and perpetuated by individuals in that society.
How does social construction of gender tie in to Emily Tubman's life? Emily Tubman lived in 19th century America and would have been subject to and a product of American society's expectations of gender. As a female,  Emily would have had gender roles ascribed to her at birth and ascribed to her due to her high social position.

Since the Tubmans were part of upper-class, Augustan society, Emily was expected and limited to certain "ladylike" activities , such as charity and church work. Emily participated in the gendered role of wife and was also instrumental in the work of several churches in the Augusta area.




The pictures in this blog are of First Christian Church, of which Emily Tubman was a prominent member. The church was originally called the Disciples of Christ and was the beneficiary of donations from Emily Tubman. The church building is located on the corner of 7th and Greene Streets in Augusta, Georgia, across the street from the Emily Tubman monument.


Sources:

Lorber, Judith. "The Social Construction of Gender." Inequality Reader: Contemporary & Foundational Readings in Race, Class, & Gender. Comp. David Grusky and Szonja Szelenvi. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 2006. 276-283.