GEE15 Gender and Society – Chapter 1: Understanding Gender and Sexuality as a Social Reality

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture on gender and sexuality.

Sex (biological dimension)

Biological, congenital, universal and generally unchanging physical attributes—genitals, chromosomes, hormones—that classify humans as male or female.

Gender (social dimension)

Socially and culturally constructed roles, behaviors and expectations associated with being male or female; learned, variable and changeable over time.

Testes

Male gonads that produce sperm cells and secrete testosterone.

Ovaries

Female gonads that produce ova and secrete estrogen and progesterone.

Testosterone

Primary male sex hormone responsible for development of male secondary sexual characteristics.

Estrogen

Primary female sex hormone responsible for development of female secondary sexual characteristics.

Wolffian ducts

Embryonic structures that develop into male internal reproductive organs when stimulated by testosterone.

Müllerian ducts

Embryonic structures that develop into female internal reproductive organs (uterus, fallopian tubes, upper vagina).

Penis and scrotal sac

Male external genitalia housing the urethra and testes.

Clitoris and vagina

Primary female external and internal sex organs involved in sexual pleasure and reproduction.

Femininity

Culturally defined qualities considered appropriate for women, such as gentleness or emotionality.

Masculinity

Culturally defined qualities considered appropriate for men, such as assertiveness or independence.

Gender stereotypes

Oversimplified, often rigid beliefs about the attributes and behaviors of men and women (e.g., males as logical, females as emotional).

Heteronormativity

Assumption that heterosexuality and traditional gender roles are the normative standard against which other identities are judged.

Gender identity

One’s internal sense of being a man, woman, both, neither, or somewhere along the gender spectrum.

Transgender

A person whose gender identity does not align with the sex assigned at birth; may pursue social, medical or legal transition.

Sexual orientation

Pattern of emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction toward others.

Heterosexual

Sexual orientation in which a person is attracted to individuals of the opposite sex.

Homosexual

Sexual orientation in which a person is attracted to individuals of the same sex (gay or lesbian).

Bisexual

Sexual orientation in which a person is attracted to both males and females.

Gender expression

Outward presentation of one’s gender through dress, behavior, voice, or mannerisms.

Gender spectrum

Concept that gender exists on a continuum rather than a strict male/female binary.

Biological sex

Physical sex characteristics present at birth such as genitalia, chromosomes, hormones, and reproductive organs.

Sexual attraction

Desire for sexual contact with certain people based on their sex or gender characteristics.

Romantic attraction

Desire for emotional or romantic connection with certain people, which may differ from sexual attraction.

Divine feminine

Ancient belief in the sacredness of women due to their capacity to conceive, common in early civilizations.

Egalitarian society

Community in which men and women share equal power, roles, and status.

Patriarchy

Social system in which men hold primary power in political, economic, and private spheres.

Patrilineal

Inheritance system in which family name and property pass through the male line.

Sexism

Prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination directed at a person because of their sex.

Gender pay gap

The average difference in earnings between men and women for comparable work.

First-wave feminism

1848–1920 movement focused chiefly on women’s suffrage and basic legal rights.

Second-wave feminism

1963–1980s movement addressing pay equity, reproductive rights, sexuality, and domestic violence.

Third-wave feminism

1990s movement challenging heteronormativity, embracing diversity across race, class and sexuality, and introducing intersectionality.

Fourth-wave feminism

Present-day, digitally driven movement exemplified by campaigns like #MeToo, aiming to deconstruct gender norms.

Gender role

Culturally defined set of behaviors and responsibilities considered appropriate for men or women.

Binary gender system

Normative view that only two distinct, opposite genders—masculine men and feminine women—exist.

Gender studies

Interdisciplinary field analyzing how gender and sexuality shape social structures, power relations, and knowledge.

Intersectionality

Analytical framework that considers overlapping systems of oppression such as gender, race, class and sexuality.

Gender socialization

Lifelong process by which individuals learn culturally approved gender roles and behaviors.

LGBTQ+

Acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning and other non-heteronormative identities.

Social research

Systematic investigation aimed at understanding social realities and patterns.

Qualitative research

Approach centered on meanings and experiences, using methods like interviews and ethnography.

Quantitative research

Approach focused on numerical data and statistical analysis to generalize about populations.

Mixed methods

Research design that integrates qualitative and quantitative techniques within a single study.

Phenomenology

Qualitative method involving in-depth interviews to explore participants’ lived experiences of a phenomenon.

Hermeneutics

Qualitative method that interprets texts or artworks to uncover meanings about human realities.

Ethnography

Qualitative approach where researchers immerse themselves in a community to study its culture and practices.

Survey research

Quantitative method that collects standardized information from a sample to describe or explain a population.

Experiment (social)

Quantitative method manipulating variables in control and experimental groups to observe causal effects.

Informed consent

Ethical requirement that participants voluntarily agree to a study after understanding its purpose and procedures.

Confidentiality and anonymity

Ethical principle that participants’ identities and data are kept secure and undisclosed to outsiders.

Non-maleficence

Ethical mandate for researchers to do no harm to participants.

Beneficence

Ethical principle requiring that research provide benefits or value to participants or society.

Distributive justice

Ethical standard ensuring research risks and benefits are shared fairly, especially protecting marginalized groups.