Gender Identities

Gender identities

• Sex - The biological features that define you as male or female.
• Gender - Expected behaviour for males and females.
• Masculinity - Expected behaviour of males.
• Femininity - Expected behaviour of females.

Types of Femininity

• Passive Femininity - e.g. housewives - submissive roles - traditional
• Assertive Femininty - e.g. Female Prime minister
• Ladettes - Women becoming more male and showing more male behaviours.

Types of Masculinity

• Hegemonic Masculinity - dominant roles - traditional
• Subordinate Masculinity - e.g Homosexuals - submissive roles - not traditional
• Marginalised - e.g. unemployed - men who are unable to be masculine
• Complicit Masculinity - Connell (2001) - where men take on feminine roles
• Metro sexual - Mort (1996) - Men who take care in their physical appearance

Gender Role Socialisation ( Oakley 1981)

• Manipulation - This consists of encouraging behaviour that is seen as stereotypically acceptable for the child's gender and discouraging behaviour that is not considered the norm. E.g. encouraging boys to get muddy but discouraging girls.
• Canalisation - This involves parents channelling their child's interests into toys, games and activities that are considered the norm for their gender. E.g. encouraging girls to play with dolls and boys to play football.
• Verbal Appellation - This refers to giving children nicknames or pet names that reinforce gender expectations. E.g. calling girls 'princess' and boys 'little monster'.
• Different Activities - Parents or family members may encourage children to participate in activities around the home that reinforce stereotypes. E.g. girls helping with baking and boys helping fathers to clean the car.
• These encourage Passive Femininity and Hegemonic Masculinity.

Agents of Socialisation through Gender

• Family
• Nurture
• Gender role socialisation
• Dual identity
• Sanctions
• Oakley (1981)
• Workplace
• 'Glass Celling'
• Uniforms
• Restrictions
• Education
• Sanctions
• Uniforms
• Gendered PE
• Media
• Norms
• Values
• Role Models
• Popular Culture
• Physical Appearances
• Traditional Families
• Religion
• Only Male Priests
• Peer Group
• Nurture
• Imitation
• Peer Pressure