cultural anthropology

Gender studies

The study of how gender identities and expressions are shaped by and affect one’s life chances

Sex

The culturally agreed upon physical differences between male and female, especially biological differences related to human reproduction

Gender

The expectations of thought and behavior that each culture assigns to people of different sexes

Sexual dimorphism

The phenotypic differences between males and females of the same species

Gender identity

Each persons internal experience and understanding of their own gender

Gender expression

How a person expresses or presents themselves in relationship to gender, whether in their behavior, appearance, name, or pronouns

Transgender

People whose gender identity and expression do not correspond with the biological sex category they were assigned at birth

Cisgender

People whose gender identity and expression correspond with the biological sex category they were assigned at birth

Cultural construction of gender

The ways humans learn to perform and recognize behaviors as masculine or feminine within their cultural context

Masculinity

The ideas and practices associated with manhood

Femininity

The ideas and practices associated with womanhood

Gender performance

The way gender identity is expressed through action

Intersex

The state of being born with a combination of male and female genitalia, gonads, and/or chromosomes

Gender stratification

An unequal distribution of power in which gender shapes who has access to a groups resources, opportunities, rights, and privileges

gender stereotypes

Widely held preconceived notions about the attributes of, differences between, and proper roles for men and women in a culture

Gender ideology

A set of cultural ideas, usually stereotypical, about the essential character of different genders that functions to promote and justify gender stratification

Sexuality

The complex range of desires, beliefs, and behaviors that are related to erotic physical contact in the cultural arena within which people debate about what kinds of physical desires and behaviors are right, appropriate ,and natural.

Kinship

The system of meaning and power the cultures create to determine who is related to whom and to define their mutual expectations, rights, and responsibilities

Nuclear family

The kinship unit of mother, father, and children

Descent group

A kinship group in which primary relationships are traced through certain consanguineal (“blood”) relatives

Lineage

A type of descent group that traces genealogical connections by linking persons to a founding ancestor

Clan

A type of descent group based on a claim to a founding ancestor but lacking genealogical documentation

Patrilineal descent group

A kinship group in which membership passes to the next generation from father to son

Affinal relationship

A kinship relationship established through marriage and/or alliance, not through biology or common descent

Marriage

A socially recognized relationship that may involve physical and emotional intimacy as well as legal rights to property and inheritance

Arranged marriage

Marriage orchestrated by the families of the involved parties

Companionate marriage

Marriage built on love, intimacy, and personal choice rather than social obligation

Polygyny

Marriage between one man and two or more women

Polyandry

Marriage between one woman and two or more men

Monogamy

A relationship between only two partners

Incest taboo

Cultural rules that forbid sexual relations with certain close relatives

Exogamy

Marriage to someone outside the kinship group

Endogamy

Marriage to someone within the kinship group

Bride wealth

The gift of goods or money form the grooms family to the brides family as part of the marriage process

Dowry

The gift of goods or money from the brides family to the grooms family as part of the marriage process

Family of orientation

The family group in which one is born, grows up, and develops life skills

Family of procreation

The family group created when one reproduces and within which one rears children