Guest Readings: Chap: 7,10,11 Flashcards
(36 cards)
What does Gutmann’s study reveal about male identities in a Mexican community?
Male identities are negotiable and not fixed, challenging the ‘macho’ stereotype through debates on chores, sex, and money.
How is gender viewed in the context of performance?
Gender is seen as a performance rather than a fixed characteristic, influenced by decisions about access to power and resources.
What does biological sex diversity imply?
Biological sex is not strictly binary; there are more than two biological sexes, and sex does not always predict gender roles.
What controversy surrounded Caster Semenya after winning medals?
Semenya faced gender verification controversies due to her physical traits, despite identifying as a woman.
What were the outcomes of the IAAF’s investigation into Caster Semenya?
The IAAF cleared Semenya to compete after a year, but the results of tests remained private.
What does the term ‘intersex’ refer to in Caster Semenya’s case?
Semenya may have a sex variation, suggesting she could be intersex, not fitting neatly into male/female categories.
What anthropological questions does Semenya’s case raise?
Her case highlights the cultural construction of gender and the distinction between biological sex and gender.
What is the theory of five sexes proposed by Anne Fausto-Sterling?
The theory acknowledges intersex conditions as a ‘middle ground’ beyond the traditional two sexes.
What percentage of births are intersex variations?
Approximately 1.7% of births are intersex variations.
What are the criticisms of medical interventions for intersex individuals?
Medical interventions are criticized for ignoring the right to self-determined gender identity.
What do new medical guidelines recommend for intersex infants?
New guidelines discourage surgery on intersex infants until they can make their own decisions.
How do many cultures recognize gender diversity?
Many cultures recognize more than two genders, such as Hijras in Indian culture.
What role do Hijras play in Hindu rituals?
Hijras perform rituals and face discrimination while being revered in some contexts.
What are ‘Two-Spirits’ in Native North American cultures?
Two-Spirits embody both masculine and feminine spirits, recognizing gender diversity.
How do various Native cultures address gender diversity?
They have their own terms for gender diversity, challenging idealized views and addressing homophobia and transphobia.
What is the focus of anthropology regarding gender?
Anthropology examines how gender structures power dynamics in personal and societal relationships.
What triggered the Flint Water Crisis?
The crisis began when Flint, Michigan, switched its water source to the Flint River, causing lead contamination.
What was the government’s response to the Flint Water Crisis?
National Guard troops were deployed in January 2016 to distribute bottled water.
What is stratification in the context of inequality?
Stratification refers to the uneven distribution of resources and privileges within a group.
Define an egalitarian society.
An egalitarian society is characterized by resource sharing with minimized hierarchy and violence.
What is reciprocity in social contexts?
Reciprocity is the exchange of resources among equals, strengthening social ties.
Is inequality considered natural in societies?
Inequality exists in all societies but varies in form.
What are stratification systems?
Stratification systems differentiate people into groups or classes, leading to unequal access to wealth, power, and resources.
What is the anthropological perspective on inequality?
Inequality is culturally constructed, not biologically determined.
