Lecture 1 Flashcards
Intro to Sociology of Gender (16 cards)
Sex definition
rooted in biology, physical anatomy, refers to genitalia
Gender definition
Socially constructed ideas associated with being a male or female. Masculinity and Femininity
Subgroups of Gender
Gender Expression and Gender Identity
What is Gender Expression
how ind present themselves in terms of masc or fem through how they act, behave and interact
What is Gender Identity
how ind interpret themselves. 1) cisgender, identify with sex assigned at birth. 2) transgender, dont identify with sec assigned at birth
Sexual Orientation
who you are sexually attracted to
Gender Binary
classification of gender into male/masculine and female/feminine
Why does gender binary continue to prevail?
supports ideas of patriarchy and male superiority, as well as heteronormativity as superior
What is Intersectionality?
The idea that gender does not stand alone. Things like other social categories, locations, races, ethnicities, social class and sexuality effect gender.
What is Gender difference?
system of CLASSIFICATION where bio males and females are sorted, seperated and socialized into dif roles
What is Gender Inequality?
the UNEQUAL PERCEPTION of ind based on their sex/gender. Use differences to justify unequalness. One sex is superior to the other…
Two assumptions that everyday society is founded upon
Gender difference- society differentiates people on the basis of gender (ex; division of labour in society). Gender inequality- society is based on male dominance, mens work is more valued than womens work
Two main explanations of gender
Bio determinism (NATURE)- so biology determines everything and Different socialization (NURTURE)- where it doesn’t deny biology but we are socialized to be different
Two dominant definitions of masc. and fem. by R.W. Connel
HEGEMONIC Masculinity- competition among men in a patriarchal society, masculinity must be earned (strength, aggressive, control, locker room talk, ‘let boys be boys’, superior to women) and then EMPHASIZED femininity- accommodate the interests and desires of men, femininity is something we learn and grow into (submissiveness, empathy, sexual attractiveness, motherly, passive)
Socialization into dominant forms of gender
the idea that boys and girls BECOME GENDERED, so they learn the behaviors and traits associated with hegemonic and emphasized masc and fem and then INDUVIDUALLY NEGOTIATE their own paths. Both social institutions and social interactions play a part in this.
Deceptive Distinctions
differences that we observe between males and females are differences that are the result of being in different environments, roles and interactions that demand these differences
