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Conceptualizing Gender Performance in Higher Education: Exploring Regulation of Identity Expression

Published/Copyright: September 1, 2011
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NASPA Journal About Women in Higher Education
From the journal NASPA Journal About Women in Higher Education Volume 4 Issue 2

While many higher education scholars have considered gender (e.g., Dawson-Threat & Huba, 1996; DeLucia-Waack, Gerrity, Taub, & Baldo, 2001; Jacobs, 1995; Knox, Zusman, & Mcneely, 2004; Lackland & De Lisi, 2001; Massey & Christensen, 1990), most of the literature uses modernistic theories to examine gender roles or gendered differences among students. This has implications for researchers interested in deconstructing gender because modern theories may address issues of gendered inequality but maintain the gender binary (i.e., woman/man) as foundational. Butler’s (1990, 1993, 2004) postmodern theory of gender performativity seeks to disrupt the discourse surrounding gender, sex, and sexuality, in order to move beyond notions of foundational or universalized identities. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of Butler’s theory, focusing on the aspects necessary for understanding the regulation of gender and performance. In addition, a conceptualization of compulsory heterosexuality is included to bring further awareness to the intersections of gender, sex, and sexuality. The paper concludes with a focus on exploring areas of higher education and potential regulations on students' identity expression.

Published Online: 2011-9-1

©2011 Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin/Boston

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Editor's Note
  2. Editor's Notes
  3. Article
  4. Conceptualizing Gender Performance in Higher Education: Exploring Regulation of Identity Expression
  5. Regulating Gender Performances: Power and Gender Norms in Faculty Work
  6. Toward a Theory of Gendered Socialization
  7. Starring Students: Gender Performance at a Women's College
  8. No Kids Allowed: Transforming Community Colleges to Support Mothering
  9. Program Description
  10. Women in Economics: Making Connections and Forging Ahead
https://doi.org/10.2202/1940-7890.1083

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Editor's Note
  2. Editor's Notes
  3. Article
  4. Conceptualizing Gender Performance in Higher Education: Exploring Regulation of Identity Expression
  5. Regulating Gender Performances: Power and Gender Norms in Faculty Work
  6. Toward a Theory of Gendered Socialization
  7. Starring Students: Gender Performance at a Women's College
  8. No Kids Allowed: Transforming Community Colleges to Support Mothering
  9. Program Description
  10. Women in Economics: Making Connections and Forging Ahead
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