Flashcards
CHAPTER 11: Gender
Cards in this deck (7)
- 1What is the difference between SEX and GENDER?Sex:
refers to the biological identity assigned at birth i.e. male or female
Gender:
is the SOCIALLY LEARNED 'expectations' of each sex. Unlike Sex, it is not determined by biology. - 2How is 'Gender' a SOCIAL CONSTRUCT? How are GENDER ROLES and GENDER IDENTITY are learned?Gender is a social construct as it is socially+culturally learned. The distinction is the emphasis on HOW the behaviour is learned.
Gender roles and Gender Identity are learned by GENDER SOCIALIZATION. Through this, people learn the expectations of their sex and their roles/identities are uncovered. - 3What is the difference between GENDER SOCIALIZATION and GENDER IDENTITY?Gender Socialization:
Is the 'process' of learning the expectations of each sex. It affects self-concepts, attitudes, and personal relation ships.
Gender Identity:
Is the term used to define the DEFINITION of oneself as man or woman. The 'formation' of this is a result of socialization. - 4How do the different AGENTS OF SOCIALIZATION contribute to 'Gender Identity'? There are 6 main agents. PPCSRMPARENTS: people learn their identities WITHIN families, specifically from parents.
PEERS: shape children's patterns of 'social interaction', analytical skills, values and attitudes. they reinforce gender 'norms'
CHILDREN'S PLAY: boys are encouraged to play outside more, girls inside. boy toys: machine like, violent. girl toys: domestic (dolls, easybake)
SCHOOLS:
strong influence due to time spent within them. teachers have different expectations - give boys more attention (positive or negative) which heighten boy's importance (social norm).
RELIGION:
Where beliefs & values are practised. Most Western religions contain patriarchal language.
MEDIA:
strongly portray gender stereotypes and expectations.
boys: strong, independent.
girls: over-sexualization of bodies/image - 5How is GENDER CONFORMITY functional? What are some dysfunctions of this to the society/culture and to the individual?Function of Gender Conformity:
Conforming to expectations can be considered as functional on the basis that it essentially 'sustains' and 'maintains' social/cultural norms.
Dysfunctions, however, include a variety of things such as:
VIOLENCE: Men are expected to be more aggressive and violent than/towards women. e.g. rape, assault, stalking.
HEALTH DISORDERS: There is a high expectation for women to be skinny, and men to be visibly strong. This leads to negative behaviours e.g. smoking, eating disorders, steroid abuse - 6What are the consequences of HOMOPHOBIA on one's gender identity and on the culture/society?Homophobia is defined as the hatred/fear of homosexuals.
Consequences of Homophobia on gender identity and society:
It specifically encourages 'stricter conformity' to traditional expectations. And it also discourages female-traits in men, specifically. e.g. caring, nurturing, emotion. Overall, there is hostility towards homosexuals and it is an attitude that is certainly learned. - 7In term of the three sociological schools of thought/perspectives: Explain why GENDER INEQUALITY exists and what is not adequately explained in them?Functionalist:
Men are meant to fill 'instrumental' roles, whereas women fill 'expressive' roles. Therefore an inequality exists, but it is functional
(critic: It suggests sexists arrangements are functional - as it restricts them to traditional expectations. it does not state whether they have the ability to fill those roles)
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Conflict Theory:
Women are specifically disadvantaged by men's historic 'power' e.g. wage.
(critic: it neglects SHARED values and consensus)
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Feminism:
LIBERAL: inequality originates from PAST and 'barriers' are created.
SOCIALIST: women are EXPLOITED by Capitalism just like the working class (subjected to cheap labour)
RADICAL: patriarchy is the main cause of women's oppression - men use mechanisms to sustain power e.g. violence, rape, harassment)
(critic: previous feminism does not acknowledge other factors of society)
MULTIRACIAL: race/class/gender intersect to form a matrix of domination
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- Introduction to Sociology revision for EXAM
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