Chapter 9 Vocab

Question 1

Sex

Answer 1

An individual’s membership in one of two categories—male or female—based on biological factors (239)

Question 2

Primary Sex Characteristics

Answer 2

An individual’s membership in one of two categories—male or female—based on biological factors (239)

Question 3

Secondary Sex Characteristics

Answer 3

Physical differences between males and females, including facial and body hair, musculature, and bone structure, that are unrelated to reproduction (239)

Question 4

Intersex

Answer 4

Used to describe a person whose chromosomes or sex characteristics are neither exclusively male nor exclusively female (239)

Question 5

Gender

Answer 5

The physical, behavioral, and personality traits that a group considers normal for its male and female members (240)

Question 6

Essentialists

Answer 6

Those who believe gender roles have a genetic or biological origin and therefore cannot be changed (241)

Question 7

Gender Binary

Answer 7

A system of classification with only two distinct and opposite gender categories (241)

Question 8

Constructionists

Answer 8

Those who believe that notions of gender are socially determined, such that a binary system is just one possibility among many (242)

Question 9

Gender Identity

Answer 9

An individual’s self‐definition or sense of gender (242)

Question 10

Cisgender

Answer 10

Term used when gender identity and/or expression aligns with the sex assigned at birth (242)

Question 11

Transgender

Answer 11

Term used when gender identity and/or expression is different from the sex assigned at birth (242)

Question 12

Gender Expression

Answer 12

An individual’s behavioral manifestations of gender (242)

Question 13

Gender Nonconforming

Answer 13

Term used when gender identity and/or expression differs from societal expectations about gender roles (242)

Question 14

Sexuality

Answer 14

The character or quality of being sexual (242)

Question 15

Sexual Orientation or Identity

Answer 15

The inclination to feel sexual desire toward people of a particular gender (242)

Question 16

Heterosexuality

Answer 16

Sexual attraction toward members of the other gender (243)

Question 17

Homosexuality

Answer 17

Sexual attraction toward members of one’s own gender (243)

Question 18

Bisexuality

Answer 18

Sexual attraction toward members of both genders (243)

Question 19

Asexuality

Answer 19

The lack of sexual attraction of any kind; no interest in or desire for sex (243)

Question 20

Queer Theory

Answer 20

Social theory about gender and sexual identity; emphasizes the importance of difference and rejects ideas of innate identities or restrictive categories (243)

Question 21

LGBTQ

Answer 21

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (sometimes “I” is added for “intersex” and “A” for “asexual”) (243)

Question 22

Rape Culture

Answer 22

A set of beliefs, norms, and values that normalizes sexual violence against women (244)

Question 23

Gender Role Socialization

Answer 23

The lifelong process of learning to be masculine or feminine, primarily through agents of socialization (244)

Question 24

Heteronormativity

Answer 24

The belief that heterosexuality is and should be the norm (244)

Question 25

Social Learning

Answer 25

The process of learning behaviors and meanings through social interaction (244)

Question 26

Patriarchy

Answer 26

Literally meaning “rule of the father”; a male‐dominated society (249)

Question 27

Privilege

Answer 27

Unearned advantage accorded to members of dominant social groups (males, whites, heterosexuals, the physically able, etc.) (249)

Question 28

Sexism

Answer 28

The belief that one sex, usually male, is superior to the other (249)

Question 29

Misogyny

Answer 29

An ingrained prejudice against women; dislike, contempt, or hatred of women (249)

Question 30

Prejudice

Answer 30

An idea about the characteristics of a group that is applied to all members of that group and is unlikely to change regardless of the evidence against it (249)

Question 31

Discrimination

Answer 31

Unequal treatment of individuals based on their membership in a social group; usually motivated by prejudice (249)

Question 32

Homophobia

Answer 32

Fear of or discrimination toward gay, lesbian, and bisexual people (251)

Question 33

Transphobia

Answer 33

Fear of or discrimination toward transgender or other gender‐nonconforming people (251)

Question 34

Heterosexism

Answer 34

Belief in the superiority of heterosexuality and heterosexuals (251)

Question 35

Cisgenderism

Answer 35

Belief in the superiority of cisgender persons and identities (251)

Question 36

Coming Out

Answer 36

Openly declaring one’s true identity to those who might not be aware of it; short for “coming out of the closet,” a phrase used to describe how LGBTQ persons have felt compelled to keep their sexual orientation or gender identity secret (251)

Question 37

Hegemonic Masculinity

Answer 37

A masculine ideal that promotes characteristics such as independence, aggression, and toughness, and rejects any alternate qualities in men (251)

Question 38

Toxic Masculinity

Answer 38

A masculine ideal that espouses extreme and harmful attitudes and behaviors and may lead to various negative effects for women and men (251)

Question 39

Microaggressions

Answer 39

Everyday uses of subtle verbal and nonverbal communications that convey denigrating or dismissive messages to members of certain social groups (252)

Question 40

Instrumental Role

Answer 40

The position of the family member who provides material support; often an authority figure (253)

Question 41

Expressive Role

Answer 41

The position of the family member who provides emotional support and nurturing (253)

Question 42

Second Shift

Answer 42

The unpaid housework and child care often expected of women after they complete their day’s paid labor (255)

Question 43

Feminization of Poverty

Answer 43

The economic trend showing that women are more likely than men to live in poverty, caused in part by the gendered gap in wages, the higher proportion of single mothers compared to single fathers, and the increasing costs of child care (258)

Question 44

Feminism

Answer 44

Belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes; also the social movements organized around that belief (262)

Question 45

First Wave

Answer 45

The earliest period of feminist activism, from the mid‐nineteenth century until American women won the right to vote in 1920 (263)

Question 46

Suffrage Movement

Answer 46

The movement organized around gaining voting rights for women (263)

Question 47

Second Wave

Answer 47

The period of feminist activism during the 1960s and 1970s, often associated with the issues of women’s equal access to employment and education (263)

Question 48

Third Wave

Answer 48

The most recent period of feminist activism, focusing on issues of diversity, globalization, and the variety of identities women can possess (263)

Question 49

Men's Liberation

Answer 49

A movement that originated in the 1970s to discuss the challenges of masculinity (263)

Question 50

Men's Rights Movement

Answer 50

An offshoot of male liberation whose members believe that feminism promotes discrimination against men (263)

Question 51

Pro-Feminist Men's Movement

Answer 51

An offshoot of male liberation whose members support feminism and believe that sexism harms both men and women (263)