
In the editorial cartoon above, the artifacts that each CEO is wearing communicates to others what their gender is. The CEO on the left is wearing a white shirt and most likely white slacks communicating to us that he is male. The CEO on the right is wearing a dress, a pearl necklace, and pearl earrings which communicates to us that they are female. Additionally, through the editorial cartoon we notice the social construction of gender in play. According to the reading, gender is a social construct that is learned. We can see this in the way each CEO is dressed and by the award they are given. The male CEO is given a blazer to demonstrate that they are the CEO, while the female CEO is given an apron.
From the awards that each CEO is given we can draw conclusions about the culture in which they come from. We can conclude that in their culture it is more appropriate for men to be the breadwinners, and more appropriate for women to stay at home and take care of the home.
Through the nonverbal communication of artifacts, I too communicate what my gender is. Although I’m a heterosexual woman, I sometimes wear clothes that accentuates my figure and put on makeup, but on days that I’m not feeling well or want to relax I wear baggy clothes. Gender in our culture is fluid, which I believe allows me to dress both ways without being judged because it has become a cultural norm.