What does 'social constructivism' argue?

Social constructivism posits that social features, including norms, values, and roles, emerge from and are influenced by social interactions among individuals. This perspective suggests that our understanding of reality is not fixed or inherent but is constructed through our experiences and the meanings we attribute to them. Thus, social constructs develop through ongoing interactions, shaping how we perceive and engage with the world around us.

This view contrasts sharply with perspectives that assert the superiority of cultures, as it recognizes the diversity and relativity of social realities created through specific social contexts rather than promoting one as inherently better. Additionally, social constructivism challenges notions related to aging, which may imply that roles diminish based solely on biological or physical aging rather than the societal changes that accompany it. Lastly, the claim that gender roles are biologically determined contradicts the principles of social constructivism, which emphasizes the role of socialization and cultural influences in shaping gender identities and expectations. By focusing on interactions, social constructivism provides a framework for understanding how individual and collective perceptions are formed and how they evolve over time.