Is gender socially constructed or biologically determined? In his article “Gender Role Behaviors and Attitudes” Aaron Devor argues that gender is socially determined through “systematic imbalances of power” (677). To support her idea, she explains different female activities and expressions. Femininity is the behavior and roles assumed and associated with girls and women. The next topic on his discussion list is body postures and speech characteristics; this can help define femininity in a person. Devor then shifts from femininity to masculinity. Masculinity is a quality normally associated with men, such as power, aggression and competitiveness. Devor delves into the aggressive and competitive instinctive behavior represented by men. Devor explains, “body postures, speech patterns, and clothing styles…(they) support the assumption of dominance and authority convey an expression of masculinity” (676). She then points out that gender roles are power imbalances due to gender discrimination (677). In her article, “The Gender Blur: Where Does Biology End and Society Take Over?” Deborah Blum believes that gender is biologically determined, but society also plays a role. Early in her argument, she provides some insight into how she was raised to believe that “every human being was exactly the same under the skin” (678). She then talks about how this perspective changed when she had her own children. “This came to me during my older son's dinosaur phase,” she said, then goes on to describe how her son pretended to gnaw on her leg (679). So it turns out that the girls did not show this type of aggression towards their partners. Although Blum believes that other types of sexual differences can be blurred through social interaction, he… middle of paper… did not have a good relationship with his father. Since all females raised him, he was always a little feminine in his ways. Additionally, he dresses like a normal teenager and has a wide posture with a masculine walk. This is why I believe both articles are accurate regarding the influences on how we determine our sexuality. My friend had strong social influence through family and other intimate relationships; however, I believe it is also affected biologically. Works Cited Blum, Deborah. “The Blurring of Gender: Where Does Biology End and Society Take Over?” Signs of Life in the United States: Popular Culture Readings for Writers. By Sonia Maasik. Boston: Bedford, 1997. 678-85. Print.Devor, Aaron. "Behaviors and attitudes related to gender roles". Signs of Life in the United States: Popular Culture Readings for Writers. By Sonia Maasik. Boston: Bedford, 1997. 672-77. Press.