Unit 7 sex, gender, and sexuality

Instrumental

According to Parsons, men play this role because they provide the family’s material support and is often an authority figure

Symbolic Interactionists

These sociologists believe gender is learned through socialization; gender inequalities are reproduced through interactions with family, peers, schools, and the media

Suffrage Movement

This term refers to women fighting for the right to vote

heterosexual

attracted to the opposite sex

feminism

this term is the belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes and the social movements organized around that belief

Expressive

According to Parsons, women are more suited to this role, because they are the person who provides the family’s emotional support and nurturing

bisexual

attracted to either sex

Conflict theorists

These sociologists believe men have historically had access to most of society’s material resources and privileges. Therefore, it is in their interest to try to maintain their dominant position.

asexual

the lack of sexual attraction to anyone, or low or absent interest in sexual activity

feminization of poverty

the tendency for women to have a greater chance of living in poverty is referred to as this

homosexual

those attracted to the same sex

gender role socialization

this term refers to the lifelong process of learning to be masculine or feminine, primarily through four main agents of socialization

intersex

new term for having both or unknown sex characteristics

sex

an individual’s membership in one of two biologically distinct categories-male or female

sexual orientation

the inclination to be heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, or asexual

heterosexism

this term refers to the antihomosexual beliefs and practices embedded in social institutions

homophobia

this is a fear of or discimination toward homosexuals or toward individuals who display purportedly gender-inappropriate behavior

Constructionist Approach

these types of sociologist believe that gender is constructed, or created, through our interactions with other members of society

Functionalist

this type of sociologist believe that there are certain social roles better suited to one gender than the other, and that societies are more stable when certain tasks are fulfilled by the appropriate

Gender

the socially learned expectations and behaviors associated with being male or female. The physical, behavioral, and personality traits that a group considers normal for its male and female members.