Gender Studies Vocabulary Flashcards

A compilation of key vocabulary and concepts related to gender studies, sexual orientation, and societal roles.

Sex

The biological and physiological characteristics that define men and women.

Gender

The socially constructed characteristics of women, men, girls, and boys.

Sexual Orientation

Refers to romantic and sexual attraction to men, women, both, or neither.

Cisgender

Individuals whose gender identity matches the sex assigned at birth.

Transgender

Individuals whose gender identity differs from the sex assigned at birth.

Gender Expression

The external display of one's gender, through behavior, clothing, and hairstyle.

Intersex

Individuals born with a combination of male and female reproductive organs.

SOGIESC

Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression, and Sex Characteristics.

Sex Chromosomes

The chromosomes that determine an individual's biological sex (XX for female, XY for male).

Hormones

Chemical messengers in the body that regulate various bodily functions.

Testosterone

The primary male sex hormone, important for the development of male characteristics.

Estrogen

A hormone that plays a significant role in female reproductive health.

Progesterone

A hormone involved in regulating the menstrual cycle and maintaining pregnancy.

Gonads

Organs (testes and ovaries) that produce sex cells (sperm and eggs).

Polyamory

The practice of engaging in multiple consensual romantic relationships.

Monogamy

The practice of being in a romantic relationship with one person at a time.

Gender Roles

Societal norms dictating the expected behaviors and responsibilities for men and women.

Gender Sensitivity

Awareness of the differences and inequalities between genders.

SAPIOSEXUAL

Attraction based on intelligence rather than physical appearance.

Agender

Individuals who do not identify with any gender.

Genderfluid

A gender identity that changes over time or depending on the situation.

Gender Queer

A gender identity that does not fit within traditional male or female categories.

Stereotype

Oversimplified and fixed ideas about a group of people.

Gender Inequality

Unfair treatment based on an individual's gender.

LGBTQIAP+

An inclusive term for the diverse spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities.

Gender Equality

The state of equal treatment and opportunities for all genders.

Digital Media

Media that uses electronic devices for distribution and interaction.

Broadcast Media

Media that transmits information to a wide audience via television or radio.

Print Media

Traditional media such as newspapers and magazines that are printed on paper.

Underrepresentation

A situation where a demographic group is not adequately represented.

Egalitarianism

The belief in the equality of all people, including genders.

Complementarianism

The belief that men and women have different roles but are equal in worth.

Gender Stereotyping

The act of ascribing characteristics and roles to individuals based solely on their gender.

Sexual Harassment

Unwelcome sexual advances or conduct in the workplace or other settings.

Domestic Violence

Abuse or violence that occurs within a domestic setting.

Intersectionality

The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, gender, and class.

Gender Pay Gap

The difference in earnings between women and men.

Occupational Segregation

The distribution of people across and within jobs based on demographic characteristics.

Family Structure

The composition of a family unit, including nuclear and extended families.

Single Parent Family

A family where one parent raises children without assistance from the other parent.

Blended Family

A family consisting of two parents and their children from previous relationships.

Nuclear Family

A family unit consisting of two parents and their children.

Extended Family

A family that includes multiple generations living together or maintaining close relationships.

Gender Role Assignment

Expectations and responsibilities assigned to individuals based on their gender.

Gender Issues in Politics

Challenges and barriers faced by women in achieving equal representation in political offices.

Feminism

A movement advocating for women's rights and equality across various social, political, and economic spheres.

Gender Sensitization,

The process of understanding and addressing gender inequalities.

Cultural Norms

Established standards of behavior that are accepted in a group or society.

Gender Nonconformity

The behavior or appearance that does not conform to societal expectations of gender.

Beauty Standards

Social constructs dictating norms about physical appearance.

Marginalization

Social disadvantage and exclusion from mainstream society.

Sexual Dysfunction

Impairment of normal sexual function.

Gender Nonbinary

Individuals who do not exclusively identify as male or female.

Transsexual

Individuals who have undergone or seek to undergo medical procedures to change their sex.

Socialization

The process of internalizing the norms and ideologies of society.

Gender Norms

The roles and behavioral expectations for individuals based on their gender.

Gendered Language

Language that reflects gender biases and stereotypes.

Consent

Agreement between participants to engage in an activity.

Sexual Orientation Fluidity

The idea that an individual's sexual orientation can change over time.

Cultural Relativity

The principle of understanding a culture on its own terms.

Stereotypical Behavior

Actions that conform to rigid societal roles based on gender.

Gender Fluid Identity

An identity that moves between traditional gender categories.

Masculinity

Qualities traditionally associated with being male.

Femininity

Qualities traditionally associated with being female.

Agent of Socialization

Entities that influence the social development of an individual.

Sex Role

Roles assigned based on biological sex.

Exploitation

Unfair treatment of people for economic gain.

Workplace Equity

Fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all employees.

Acculturation

The process of cultural change and psychological change that results following meeting between cultures.

Cultural Appropriation

The unauthorized use or imitation of elements of one culture by members of another.

Coercive Control

A pattern of behavior that seeks to take away the victim's liberty or freedom.

Social Justice

The fair treatment and equitable distribution of resources, opportunities, and obligations.

Reproductive Rights

Rights of individuals to make decisions about reproduction.

Gender Equity

Fairness of treatment for men and women according to their respective needs.

Paternalism

The policy or practice of restricting the freedoms and responsibilities of those subordinate to them.

Social Construct

An idea or notion that appears to be natural and obvious to those who accept it but may or may not represent reality.

Media Literacy

The ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media.

Empowerment

The process of gaining freedom and power to do what you want or to control what happens to you.

Bias Awareness

The cognitive understanding that personal biases exist and can affect decision-making.

Immediate Context

The current environment surrounding an individual, including immediate social influences.

Collective Efficacy

The shared belief in a community's ability to engage and execute social change.

Economic Inequality

The unequal distribution of income and opportunity between different groups in society.

Patriarchy

A social system in which men hold primary power.

Oppression

Prolonged cruel or unjust treatment.

Gender Role Expectations

Beliefs about behaviors that are appropriate based on gender.

Deconstruction

The analytical approach that seeks to dismantle established narratives.