Week 4_1 T Gender

Question 1

Sex Def.

Answer 1

• Physiological attributes
• Ordinal, not dichotomous
  (intersex)
• Can be a biological
  determinant of health

Question 2

Gender Def.

Answer 2

• Set of socially constructed
  relationships
• Defined by personal identity
  and role performance
  (something we do)
• Health shaped by social
  experiences in stratified
  society; gender roles enacted

Question 3

How does Sex matter in regard to health?

Answer 3

At the cellular, hormonal, immune level, there are many differences across
sexes

• Sex differences in immune response
  -Male bodies = lower immune response and higher vulnerability
  to infections.
  -Female bodies = higher susceptibility to autoimmune diseases
• Believed to be due to evolutionary mechanisms of female birthing
  Note: Male bodies are the norm for scientific studies
• 1993 is when required NIH to include more women and minorities in
  research studies (Women 11% in HIV studies (49% of worldwide
  cases)

Question 4

Gender differences in health:
Major Trends

Answer 4

1. Women live longer than men
2. Gender differences in major causes of death
3. Women diagnosed as suffering from more ill health

Question 5

Health Survival Paradox

Answer 5

Despite having poorer health during life, women live
longer than men

Question 6

Courtenay (2000)
Relational theory of men’s health

Answer 6

• Health-related beliefs and behaviours are a means for
  demonstrating femininities and masculinities

-Used interactionally in the social structuring of
gender and power (both within and across groups)
- Risky behavior are signifiers of masculinity and
instruments for power and status
-Resources available for constructing
masculinities - and the signifiers of true manliness
- are overwhelmingly unhealthy

Question 7

Courtenay (2000)
Health-related Behavior

and Beliefs

Answer 7

• Risky Behaviors
  -Binge drinking
• Lack of seatbelt use
• Smoking

Beliefs
* Men are independent, self-reliant, strong, robust,
and tough
* Denial of weakness, emotional control, any need for help
* Aggressive need for sex, behavior, dominance

Question 8

Sociocultural Explanations for Gender
Differences in Health

Risk-taking Hypothesis

Answer 8

• Socialization of men and
  women shapes health
  through risk behaviours
• Role of hegemonic
  masculinity
• Neglecting health (e.g., not
  sleeping)
• Underreporting health issues
• Risky activities (e.g., drinking
  and driving)

Question 9

Courtenay (2000)
Gender and Health related Behavior

Answer 9

Performance of masculinity in various ways,
construct masculinity by embracing risk

*refuse to take sick leave from work
*insist that they need little sleep
*boast that drinking does not impair their driving
…

define the degree of masculinity by driving dangerously or performing risky sports and displaying these behaviours like badges of honor