6_Gender, Sex, Sexuality, Kinship, Marriage

Gender

The roles, behaviors, and activities that society considers appropriate for men and women.

Sex

The biological attributes associated with human reproduction, typically classified as male or female.

Sexuality

An individual's sexual orientation and the kind of person to whom they are attracted.

Kinship

The system of social relationships that form the basis of family and social structures.

Marriage

A public social contract that regulates sexuality, defines social identity of offspring, and establishes economic partnerships.

Cisgender

A person whose gender identity aligns with the sex assigned to them at birth.

Transgender

A person whose gender identity does not align with the sex assigned to them at birth.

Nonbinary

An individual who does not identify strictly as male or female.

Sexual dimorphism

Physical differences between male and female individuals of the same species.

Intersex

An individual born with a combination of male and female genitalia, gonads, and/or chromosomes.

Endogamy

Marriage within a specific group or community.

Exogamy

Marriage outside of a specific group or community.

Polygamy

Marriage involving more than two partners, including polygyny and polyandry.

Bilateral descent

A system where individuals trace their ancestry through both maternal and paternal lines.

Matrilineal descent

A system of lineage where ancestry is traced through the mother.

Patrilineal descent

A system of lineage where ancestry is traced through the father.

Cisnormativity

The assumption that being cisgender is the norm.

Heteronormativity

The assumption that heterosexuality is the norm.

Bridewealth

Transfer of goods from the groom's family to the bride's family as part of marriage.

Dowry

Wealth transferred from parents to a daughter upon her marriage.

Gender Roles

The behaviors and functions that society assigns to individuals based on their gender.

Gender Performance

The expression of gender identity through actions, behaviors, and presentation.

Sexual orientation

The pattern of emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction one feels toward others.

Intersectionality

A framework for understanding how various social identities intersect and impact individual experiences of discrimination or privilege.