What is social construction?

Social construction is the way in which society groups individuals and provides certain privileges for one group over another. Most people are unaware of social construction, as much of it takes place subconsciously. Points of differentiation in social construction include race, class and gender.

An example of social construction is how people are identified as belonging to a specific race; they do not choose their race. Social construction begins from the moment a baby is born. Once a baby comes into the world, his gender is determined, and the gender process of social construction has begun. As that baby grows up to become a child and then later an adult, he is treated based on his gender.