Gender Socialization and Sociological Perspectives

40 fill-in-the-blank flashcards covering definitions, agents, impacts, theories, and key sociological thinkers related to gender socialization.

__ is the process by which individuals learn the cultural norms, behaviors, and expectations associated with their gender identity.

Gender socialization

Learning that occurs in early childhood primarily through family is called __ socialization.

Primary

the lifelong process through which individuals learn

societal expectations regarding gender roles and identities

Gender socialization

Socialization that happens later in life through schools, friends, media, and workplaces is known as __ socialization.

Secondary

When people adapt to new environments or roles, they undergo __.

Resocialization

Parents and caregivers set the foundation for gender identity by reinforcing __ behaviors for boys and girls.

gender-appropriate

Schools often encourage boys to pursue __ fields, while girls are steered toward humanities and social sciences.

STEM

Television and advertisements frequently reinforce __ gender stereotypes.

traditional

Peer groups exert __ that shapes which activities are considered acceptable for boys and girls.

peer pressure

Gender stereotypes may limit career pathways by discouraging women from entering __ fields like engineering or technology.

male-dominated

Societal expectations often discourage men from showing __.

vulnerability

Gender socialization contributes to systemic barriers such as the __ gap.

wage

Integrating gender-sensitive curricula in schools aims to __ stereotypes.

challenge

Government policies such as __ leave help dismantle traditional barriers to gender equity.

parental

Diverse and realistic portrayals of gender identities in media help __ societal expectations.

reshape

John Locke’s concept of the __ (blank slate) suggests humans are shaped by experience and education.

tabula rasa

believed both men and women possess equal potential for _rational thought if given equitable educational opportunities.

John Locke

recognized the strong influence of parents in shaping children’s development, suggesting that shifting parental expectations and education could lead to more egalitarian gender socialization

John Locke

argued that gender differences are socially constructed rather than biologically determined.

Mary Wollstonecraft

advocated for equal education for both genders to foster intellectual development.

Mary Wollstonecraft

viewed women as moral guardians within the private sphere.

Auguste Comte

“Father of sociology”.

The founder of positivism and sociology, held rigid views on gender, reinforcing traditional roles based on biological differences

Auguste Comte

believed that knowledge was key to women’s independence

Harriet Martineau

an early supporter of women’s suffrage, arguing that political inclusion was essential for societal progress.

Harriet Martineau

claimed women were biologically suited for domesticity and child-rearing while men were adapted for public leadership.

Herbert Spencer

believed that gender roles evolved to maintain social stability, and therefore resisted any efforts to change them.

Herbert Spencer

Critics argue ignored the role of culture in shaping gender roles, perpetuating inequality.

Herbert Spencer

emphasized that gender roles are socially constructed through social interaction.

Georg Simmel

argued that gender roles are not innate but socially constructed, shaped by cultural norms and institutional frameworks

Georg Simmel

saw clearly defined gender roles as essential to maintaining social stability.

Emile Durkheim

viewed gender roles as vital to preserving social cohesion and order

Emile Durkheim

argued that the self emerges through communication with others.

George Herbert Mead

children learn gendered behaviors through role-taking and imitation.

George Herbert Mead

Max Weber identified __ authority as rooted in customs such as patriarchal family systems.

traditional

three-component theory of stratification includes class, status, and power

Max Weber

Institutional barriers limited women’s access to decision-making and leadership roles.

Power

Grounded in formal rules and legal frameworks, enabling social change like women gaining rights through law

Rational-Legal Authority

Based on individual leadership—e.g., feminist figures challenging dominant gender norms.

Charismatic Authority

Women historically lacked access to wealth and economic independence.

Class

Female roles were often devalued, impacting social respect and recognition.

Status

is the process by which individuals or groups are regarded as less valuable within society.

Social devaluation

Experiencing can lead to internalized oppression among affected individuals.

Social devaluation

During __, individuals engage in anticipatory socialization to prepare for future adult roles.

adolescence

serves as a transitional phase between childhood and adulthood

Adolescence

In__, people often seek emotional intimacy and long-term partnerships.

early adulthood

This period is marked by the pursuit of meaningful relationships, as people seek emotional intimacy and long-term partnerships that offer both security and connection

Adulthood

Many social scientists argue that an individual’s core sense of self is formed early in life, with families—especially from an interactionist perspective—playing a crucial role through support and emotional connection

Infancy and Early Childhood

refers to our genetic inheritance—traits passed down through our parents that influence our physical characteristics, temperament, and potential cognitive abilities.

Nature

encompasses all environmental influences, such as our upbringing, early experiences, education, social interactions, and cultural surroundings.

Nurture

argue that socialization is vital for societal stability and continuity.

Structural functionalists

Conflict theorists contend that socialization can reinforce social __ by transmitting unequal expectations.

inequalities

focus on micro -level interactions and shared symbols in the socialization process.

Symbolic interactionists

often steers women toward caregiving roles, influencing their career aspirations.

Gender socialization