This is a research that looks into how social factors inspire how men and women dress in three communities. The essay is relevant for individuals that have been freshly introduced to the ideas of gender. It helps the reader explore basic concepts of gender and relate it to fashion choices, and asks and answers thought provoking questions. Should a man wear earrings? Should a woman wear trousers ?
The concept of society influences the idea of gender. Gender does not operate in a vacuum but it rather relies on society. Thus, what one society sees as acceptable is not necessarily considered acceptable in another society. This study investigates the influence of society on gender based fashion choices in three societies. These societies are Ghana, USA and Indian societies. The study does the analysis from four perspectives: wearing of skirts, trousers, earrings and kente cloth. In the end the work comes to the conclusion that gender influences how people dress. With respect to kente, the study found out that it was perceived as a unisex cloth. But for trousers, skirts and earrings , there was not a general acceptance of these choices as unisex cloth in the three societies studied . the differences in how these societies perceive fashion choices show that gender indeed is a social construct and fashion choices that surround a specific gender is invariably influenced by society.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. MOTIVATION OF STUDY
3. RESEARCH QUESTIONS
4. SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
5. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
6. HISTORY OF TROUSERS
7. HISTORY OF EARRING
8. HISTORY OF SKIRTS
9. HISTORY OF KENTE
10. DEFINITION OF SOCIETY
11. DEFINITION OF GENDER
12. DEFINITION OF FASHION
13. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
14. ANALYSIS OF DATA
14.1 TROUSERS
14.2 EARRINGS
14.3 SKIRTS
14.4 KENTE
15. SOCIETY COMPARISON
16. RESEARCH FINDINGS
Research Objectives and Themes
This study aims to examine how societal norms and cultural constructs influence gender-based fashion choices, specifically investigating whether men and women are perceived differently in their apparel. By analyzing historical trends and cross-cultural perspectives, the research explores how fashion items often considered gendered are inherently social constructs rather than fixed biological truths.
- The role of societal influence on the perception of gender-based fashion.
- Historical evolution of trousers, earrings, skirts, and kente cloth.
- Comparative analysis of fashion norms in Ghana, the USA, and India.
- Deconstruction of gender stereotypes related to clothing and accessories.
- The impact of cultural beliefs and religious doctrines on apparel choices.
Excerpt from the Book
HISTORY OF TROUSERS
Kingandallen.co.uk(2016) says “ Trousers have been worn in the Western world since ancient times. They are now the most common form of lower-body clothing for men. Practical and comfortable, there’s no wonder that they’ve been adopted by both sexes as part of their everyday dress. Trousers were first invented because robes are uncomfortable to wear on horseback. In fact, those who wore trousers in battle had the upper hand over those who wore robes. For this reason, civilisations all over the world adopted this form of dress to survive battle. It goes on to start that trousers then transitioned into other shapes and in the late nineteen century women also began to wear trousers.” Again , Wolter (2020) writes , “ The Greeks and Romans of the Classical period thought of trousers as the "garb of the Barbarians," from whom they vehemently strove to distinguish themselves.
Chapter Summary
INTRODUCTION: Provides an overview of the development of human societies, culture, and the intent to research the influence of society on fashion choices.
MOTIVATION OF STUDY: Discusses the need to understand how gender issues and societal norms impact personal fashion and apparel choices.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS: Outlines the primary inquiries regarding whether men and women are perceived equally in fashion and how society shapes these choices.
SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY: Highlights the relevance of the findings for gender studies and the potential for a deeper understanding of the correlation between society and fashion.
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK: Defines the core concept of gender theory and its application to understanding masculine and feminine behaviors within specific contexts.
HISTORY OF TROUSERS: Traces the evolution of trousers from ancient military attire to their modern status as unisex clothing despite historical opposition.
HISTORY OF EARRING: Explores the origins of earrings as unisex mystic objects and their shifting association with women in Western culture.
HISTORY OF SKIRTS: Examines how skirts, initially worn by men in various ancient civilizations, transitioned into predominantly female apparel.
HISTORY OF KENTE: Details the cultural significance and origin of kente cloth as a unisex fabric within Ghanaian traditions.
DEFINITION OF SOCIETY: Compiles various academic definitions of society as an organized group linked by common interests and territory.
DEFINITION OF GENDER: Distinguishes gender as a social construct from biological sex, emphasizing its fluidity and cultural variability.
DEFINITION OF FASHION: Conceptualizes fashion as a cultural construction of embodied identity that extends beyond simple clothing choices.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: Describes the qualitative approach utilized for the study, relying primarily on textual analysis and comparative literature.
ANALYSIS OF DATA: Investigates specific apparel items—trousers, earrings, skirts, and kente—through historical and religious contexts.
SOCIETY COMPARISON: Compares fashion perceptions across Ghanaian, American, and Indian societies to illustrate societal influence.
RESEARCH FINDINGS: Concludes that fashion choices are relative to societal norms and that gendered associations are not fixed or universal.
Keywords
Gender, Fashion, Society, Trousers, Earrings, Skirts, Kente, Social Construct, Culture, Gender Theory, Feminism, Stereotypes, Apparel, Cultural Norms, Qualitative Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research?
The work investigates the extent to which society influences fashion choices and how these choices reflect societal gender constructs.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Key themes include the historical evolution of specific clothing items, the distinction between sex and gender, and the societal policing of apparel.
What is the main objective of the study?
The study aims to determine if fashion items are inherently gendered or if their associations are products of social influence and cultural history.
Which scientific method is applied?
The author uses a qualitative approach, specifically employing textual analysis of historical records and comparative literature to derive conclusions.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body examines the history of trousers, earrings, skirts, and kente cloth, while also analyzing them across three different cultures.
Which keywords define this work?
Important keywords include Gender, Fashion, Society, Cultural Norms, Stereotypes, and Social Construct.
Why does the author contrast Kente cloth with other garments?
The author highlights Kente cloth as a uniquely unisex cultural symbol that contrasts with the more gendered perceptions of Western items like trousers or earrings.
How is the role of religion addressed in the study?
The study references religious texts, such as Deuteronomy 22:5, to show how conservative religious groups use scripture to justify specific gender-based clothing restrictions.
What conclusion does the author reach about gender stereotypes?
The author concludes that gender stereotypes regarding clothing are socially constructed and suggests that there is a need to move past these outmoded distinctions.
- Citar trabajo
- Harry Milton Hayford (Autor), 2022, The Social Construct of Fashion Choices. Trousers, Earrings, Skirts, and Kente Cloth, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1222994
