Chapter 7 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

gender studies

the study of how gender identities and expressions are shaped by and affect's 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 the male and female sex

gender identity

each person's internal experience and understanding of gender

gender expression

how people express themselves in regards to gender, whether in their appearance, name, pronouns or behavior

transgender

peoples who's gender identity does not correspond to the one assigned at birth

cisgender

people's whose gender identity and expression correspond with the gender 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 female, male genitalia, gonads, 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 the 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 function to promote and justify gender stratification

gender violence

forms of violence shaped by gender identities of the people involved

structural gender violence

gendered societal patterns of unequal access to wealth, power, and basic resources such as food, shelter, and health care that differentially affect women in particular