C1 SA - Culture & Identity - Topic 10, Gender identity

Question 1

Difference between sex and gender

Answer 1

Sex = biological concept, the physical differences between males and females before birth
Gender = sociological concept, constructed, how different sexes should behave. Different norms and values. Gestures, body language & manners.

Question 2

Normative femininity

Answer 2

Women’s roles defined and restricted by men’s interests and needs

Question 3

Ladettes

Answer 3

Social change of feminine identity, owes something to traditional masculine identity e.g. aggressive, sexually confident and pleasure seeking.

Question 4

Hypersexual femininity

Answer 4

Exaggerating and stressing their sexuality through their appearance.

Question 5

Hegemonic/ traditional masculinity

Answer 5

Male identity present in western society. Gives men power and dominance, alpha male.

Question 6

New man/ metrosexual

Answer 6

Men become conscious of appearance. 8% of cosmetic surgery on men.

Question 7

Lad

Answer 7

Young men who have a good time through sex, alcohol, football and loutish behaviour

Question 8

Crisis in masculinity

Answer 8

Loss of ‘breadwinner’ identity with the decline of traditional male industries, insecurity.

Question 9

STUDY - Sue Sharpe (1997)

Answer 9

Young girls leave school with different identity. Women are now more career orientated.

Question 10

Legal changes

Answer 10

1970s equal pay act & Sex discrimination act

Question 11

Genderquake

Answer 11

Radical change in attitudes towards education and work experienced by younger women compared with women from previous generations.

Question 12

STUDY - Hakim (2004)

Answer 12

Women now have more choice therefore can now develop more work-centred identites.

Question 13

Gender identity reinforced by family - STUDY - Oakley

Answer 13

Manipulation
Canalisation (toys and activities)
Verbal appreciation
Different activities

Question 14

Gender identity reinforced by media - STUDY - Billington et al / Harvey & Macdonald

Answer 14

Masculine = dominant, Feminine = submissive

Women in the media shown as mothers and wives in panic and need a man to sort out their problems.

Question 15

Gender identity reinforced by peers - STUDY - Martin and Ruble

Answer 15

Early age children are ‘gender detectives’
Peers shape and reinforce gender identities by reproducing existing social identities in; job roles, games and activities.

Question 16

Criticism of gender identities changing - STUDY - Mac an Ghaill

Answer 16

Crisis in masculinity, men turning to violence, sexism, crime and anti subcultures. Masculinity in threat by women.

Question 17

Criticism - employment

Answer 17

Women represent 45% of the workforce however few of them are in senior positions.