Chapter 11 Flashcards
(46 cards)
define sex
a persons genetic makeup - whether the sex chromosome is XX (F), XY (M), X (F), XXY (M), or XXYY (M)
define sexuality
refers to the way people experience and express themselves sexually
what does intersex mean?
A person whose sex traits (chromosomes, genitals, or hormones) don’t fit typical male or female categories.
ex: Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS): A person with XY chromosomes but whose body doesn’t respond to male hormones, leading to female or mixed physical traits.
what is gender?
Gender is not the same as sex; it refers to the socially constructed roles and expectations linked to a sex category.
What is gender identity?
A person’s internal sense of being male, female, or something else.
What is the gender binary?
The idea that people are only classified as either male or female.
What does cisgender mean?
A person whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth.
What does transgender mean?
A person whose gender identity does not match their assigned sex at birth, including those who identify outside the male-female binary.
What are gender roles?
Behaviors that follow societal expectations for how males and females should act, often reinforcing social inequality.
What is heteronormativity?
The belief that sex is strictly male or female, that gender should match assigned sex, and that heterosexuality is the norm.
ex: Hank Green discusses heteronormativity by explaining how society assumes people are either straight and cisgender, and that gender should align with biological sex. He challenges these ideas, promoting inclusivity and breaking away from the traditional male-female, heterosexual binary.
What is essentialism?
The belief that gender differences are based on biological differences between men and women (the “nature” argument).
nature assignment: men and women are different because they are born with distinct biological characteristics (like hormones, chromosomes, and physical traits) that naturally shape their behaviors, roles, and abilities.
What is social constructionism?
The belief that gender differences are shaped by social and cultural influences, and people are socialized into their gender roles (the “nurture” argument).
nurture assignment: men are socialized to be aggressive based on cultural expectations, such as being taught from a young age that men should be strong, competitive, and assertive.
How do essentialism and social constructionism differ?
Essentialism views gender differences as biologically hardwired, while social constructionism sees them as learned and influenced by society. These views are at opposite ends of a continuum, but many people believe in a mix of both.
what is essentialism in the context of sociobiology and evolutionary psychology?
the belief that men and women behave differently because of natural, biological reasons tied to reproduction. The idea is that since women have a limited number of eggs and men produce sperm constantly, women might be more selective with partners, while men might be driven to mate with as many women as possible to spread their genes.
Example:
An example of this idea is that men might be seen as more competitive or aggressive because, biologically, they’re trying to ensure their genes are passed on by having many offspring. Women, on the other hand, might be seen as more nurturing and focused on securing a reliable partner to raise children, since they have fewer chances to reproduce.
Essentialists argue that these biological differences explain why men and women act the way they do, and that the inequalities between them are just “natural” and unchangeable.
What is the connection between functionalism and essentialism regarding gender roles?
Functionalism and essentialism both believe that traditional gender roles are important for society to work well. Essentialism argues that men and women have inherent traits (e.g., men are rational and competitive, women are nurturing and sensitive) that align with their roles. These traits are seen as “natural” and necessary for society to function smoothly. People who don’t fit these roles are expected to conform or even be punished.
What are some critiques of essentialism?
1) Cultural and historical variability: Gender roles change over time and in different cultures. People express masculinity and femininity in various ways across history and locations.
2) Generalizing from averages: Essentialism assumes all men and women fit certain traits, like men being stronger. But many women are stronger than average men, and many men are weaker than average women.
3) Lack of evidence: There’s little proof supporting essentialist ideas about biological differences between men and women. In fact, research shows that men’s and women’s brains are more similar than previously thought.
4) Ignoring power dynamics: Essentialism overlooks the role of power in shaping gender roles. Historically, men have had more power to define and enforce societal norms, making gender differences seem “natural” when they are often socially constructed.
What is the feminist perspective on male domination?
The feminist perspective argues that male domination is rooted in:
Patriarchal authority relations – The power structures that favor men over women.
Family structures – Family dynamics that often place men in dominant roles.
Socialization and culture – Societal patterns that shape gender roles and reinforce male dominance.
What is social constructionism?
Social constructionism argues that things we think are natural or innate, like gender, are actually created and maintained by social processes. These processes change over time and vary across different cultures. Gender, in particular, is seen as a social construction rather than a biological fact.
ex: In some cultures, wearing skirts is considered a feminine trait, while in others, it’s worn by men. This shows that gender roles, like what’s considered “appropriate” clothing for men and women, are socially constructed and vary across societies.
What is gender socialization?
Gender socialization is the process by which we learn what it means to be male or female. This happens through various influences, such as toys. For example, girls’ toys often focus on nurturing, physical attractiveness, and indoor activities, while boys’ toys emphasize aggression, competition, and outdoor activities.
How do parents influence gender socialization?
Parents shape children’s understanding of gender by influencing their activities, toys, and environment. For example, fathers may engage in competitive play with their sons but not as much with their daughters. Parents often encourage girls to play cooperative, role-playing games. The toys parents buy, the colors they choose for clothes or rooms, and other factors all reinforce societal ideas of what boys and girls should be like.
How does gender socialization happen in schools and workplaces?
In schools:
Textbooks often highlight male contributions in subjects like science.
Teachers may attribute males’ success in math and science to natural ability, while attributing females’ success to hard work.
Sports are often segregated by sex and gendered in their expectations.
In the workplace:
Women in leadership roles are often perceived as less competent due to gendered expectations about how they interact with subordinates.
Male scholars are more likely to publish solo-authored articles, while female scholars often co-author more frequently. These patterns reinforce gender roles and biases.
What is a gender role schema?
A gender role schema is a set of interrelated ideas about what is considered appropriate masculine and feminine behavior. These ideas are typically well-formed by the age of 14 or 15.
ex: By the age of 14, a person might have a well-formed idea that boys should be strong, competitive, and interested in sports, while girls should be nurturing, sensitive, and interested in caregiving activities. This belief reflects the gender role schema, shaping expectations for behavior based on gender.
How is gender represented in the mass media?
women are often underrepresented as characters in TV shows and movies. When they are portrayed, it’s usually in stereotypical roles (e.g., as caregivers or in romantic situations).
men are more likely to be shown in work roles and often portrayed as financially successful. This reinforces traditional gender expectations.
how does the media influence body image?
The media promotes thinness as the ideal body shape, often leading people to feel pressure to conform to these standards. This has fueled the growth of industries like fitness, weight-loss diets, low-calorie foods, and cosmetic surgery, all of which generate billions of dollars annually in North America.