Problem: Iris Marion Young is describing the ways in which our perceptions and our attitudes (towards ourselves and others) are haunted by the 'essences' of masculinity and femininity. They affect how we interpret ourselves, and our own possibilities. Young talks about how she feels a disconnect between herself and her body that causes herself to constantly underestimate her own capacities, and becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy. We forget that we are always negotiating with these concepts of gender, they do not determine us; we determine them. But at worst, they can become an obstacle to human freedom and flourishing. The prompt is this: can you think of any other categories that we treat as 'natural' or 'essential' that have similar effects? Are there similar categories where we try so hard to be them that we lose ourselves in the process?
Reference: Throwing like a girl- Young
500 word response please