Lecture 3 - Sexualities + Gender

Question 1

Define sex.

Answer 1

Anatomical, chromosomal and hormonal features

Question 2

Define intersex.

Answer 2

Having sex characteristics outside the male/female binary (i.e. ambiguous genitalia)

Question 3

Define gender identity.

Answer 3

Personal identification/sense of belonging w/ a particular sex

Question 4

Define gender roles.

Answer 4

Behaviour according to societal expectations of how a particular gender should act

Question 5

Define sexual orientation.

Answer 5

One’s preference in sexual partners

Question 6

Define heteronormativity.

Answer 6

The idea that sex, gender and sexual orientation are binary (Preference for heterosexuality)

Question 7

Define transgender.

Answer 7

Someone who doesn’t identify as their assigned gender at birth

Question 8

What are the arguments of the origin of gender difference?

Answer 8

Essentialism –> gender differences are biological (naturally evolved) and should be reflected in society
(Functionalist idea)

Social constructionism –> gender is constructed by interactions w/ social structure + culture
(Conflict theorist, symbolic interactionist, feminist idea)

Question 9

How is gender socialized in society?

Answer 9

• Barbie dolls have an impact on girls’ body image (Toys, in general, are unnecessarily gendered)
• Media enforces the hypersexuality of women
• Boys and girls are rewarded for different behaviour (Boys for being assertive, girls for being compliant)
• Boys are encouraged to participate in more competitive sports/activities

Question 10

Why are non-binary ideas of sex/gender/sexual orientation increasingly accepted yet widely resisted?

Answer 10

Accepted because of sexology and political movements

Factors associated w/ resistance are:

1. Highly religious
2. Elderly
3. Immigrants
4. Visible minority
5. Men

Question 11

Define gender ideologies.

Answer 11

Sets of interrelated ideas about what constitutes appropriate masculine/feminine behaviour

Question 12

Define glass ceiling (in management).

Answer 12

A social barrier that makes it hard for women to rise to the top of management

Question 13

Define heterosexual, homosexual and bisexual.

Answer 13

Heterosexual - prefers members of the opposite sex as sexual partners
Homosexual - members of the same sex for their partner
Bisexual - partners of either sex

Question 14

What is queer theory?

Answer 14

• Debunks the notion that sex/gender/sexuality are highly correlated (by examining empirical mismatches among them)
• Emphasizes that changing social contexts influence sexual identities
• States that labels don’t capture the fluidity of sexuality and act as a social convention (for control/to stifle individuals from being unique)

Question 15

What are the 4 main factors that contribute to the wage gap?

Answer 15

1. Gender discrimination –> Women and men get rewarded differently for the same job, women may not get jobs due to potential maternity leaves
2. Occupational sex segregation –> concentration of women in low-wage jobs (social work, nursing, teaching, etc.)
3. Domestic responsibilities –> married women are more likely to work part-time (childcare, housekeeping)
4. Undervaluation of women’s work –> “less skill” for jobs in which women predominate (Ex. Kindergarten teacher VS technician)

Question 16

Where is gender inequality high/low?

Answer 16

Usually lower in Eastern Europe, higher in Africa

Poor countries tend to be less gender-equal

Question 17

Why do men have more aggression (especially against women)?

Answer 17

• Men have more power socially, so the level of aggression is higher than women
• Cases of SA are a form of domination for men (potential psychological Compensation for abuse in youth)
• Fraternities and athletics contribute to this (“Macho” image, toxic masculinity)
• Culture enforces ideas of male dominance, which increases the chances of SA/aggression

Question 18

Define acquaintance rape.

Answer 18

SA committed by a non-relative that the victim knows

Question 19

What are the 2 forms of sexual harassment?

Answer 19

1. Quid pro quo –> sexual threats/bribery as a condition of employment decisions
2. Hostile environment –> involves inappropriate jokes/touching/comments that make the work environment unfriendly (or interfere w/ work)

Question 20

What are the 3 factors to female gender risk?

Answer 20

1. Average national income –> economic development increases women’s independence, leading to more equality
2. How deep patriarchy is entrenched –> increased male authority = increased chance of assault
3. Laws on equality –> more laws = less SA, homicide, etc.

Question 21

What are the 2 main policies that should be introduced to fix gender inequality?

Answer 21

1. Child care –> w/0 it, women spend more time at home, taking care of children
2. Equal pay for work of equal value –> pay equity (equal dollar value for diff. jobs, gender-neutral terms based on education + experience)

Question 22

What are the 4 main streams of feminist movements?

Answer 22

1. Liberal feminism –> breaking learned gender roles + allowing more opportunities for women
2. Socialist feminism –> elimination of private property + creation of economic equality (for the working class who can’t afford education/work)
3. Radical feminism –> ending patriarchy/gender, getting rid of male domination
4. Third-wave feminism –> mid-1980s, focus on intersectionality ( antiracist, postmodern)

Question 23

How does GDP per capita affect women’s physical insecurity?

Answer 23

Wealthier country = higher chance of gender equality
Inequality in income/education/political influence = more male domination/physical domination over women

Low GDP per capita = lower gender inequality = higher insecurity

• Major cause of women’s insecurity is the pourer gap b/w men and women *