Chapter4

Question 1

gender

Answer 1

A social division referring to the social and psychosocial attributes by which humans are categorized as ‘male’ or ‘female’. Biology is deemed somewhat irrelevant to understanding social distinctions between males and females. Gender encompasses the shared understandings of how women and men, girls and boys, should look and act. It is a label that subsumes a large assortment of traits, beliefs, values, and mannerisms, and defines how we should practice social interactions.

Question 2

gender inequality

Answer 2

The differential success of men and women in gaining access to valued rewards. This tends to stem from
structural arrangements, interpersonal discrimination, and
cultural beliefs.

Question 3

gender roles

Answer 3

The patterns of behavior that a society expects of males and females and that all members of the society learn, to a greater or lesser extent, as part of the socialization process.

Question 4

gender socialization

Answer 4

The process by which people learn their gender-based behaviour. The socialization process links gender to personal identity in the form of gender identity and to distinctive activities in the form of gender roles. The major agents of socialization all serve to reinforce cultural definitions of masculinity and femininity.

Question 5

glass ceiling

Answer 5

Women can have considerable success, but can rarely reach and enter the topmost positions.

Question 6

sex

Answer 6

A biological concept that differentiates female and male. Most people are (mainly) male or (mainly) female from the
moment of conception, with biological differences between the sexes that are anatomic, genetic, and hormonal.

Question 7

sexism

Answer 7

Discrimination and derogatory attitudes and beliefs that promote stereotyping of people because of their gender.
Sexism and gender stereotyping are two problems for both men and women, and are most often experienced in institutions and social relationships.