ch 7 gender

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 human beings, especially the biological related to human reproduction

gender

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

factors used for determining biological sex

1) the genitalia
2)the gonads

3)chromosome patterns

sexual dimorphism

males and females differ physically in primary sexual characters as well as secondary sexual characteristics such as breast size, hair distribution, and pitch of voice. May also differ in average weight, height, and strength

gender identities

each person’s internal experience and understanding of their own gender

gender expressions

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

transgender

people whose gender identity and expression do not correspond with the biological sex category they 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 culture context

ex) parents “do gender” with their children with everything from names to dress to toys

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

ex) performing as more masculine, even for females, can lead to gained status

traditional masculine characteristics

aggressive,physical, tough, competitive, sport oriented, testosterone drive, strong, unemotional

traditional feminine characteristics

gentle, kind, loving, nuturing, smart, persuasive, talkative, enticing, and emotional

intersex

the middle ground of a diversity of physical expressions along the continuum of male and female sex

often ignored in western culture and seen as something to ‘fix’

biopower

the power of the state to regulate the body

hijra

religious followers of the Hindu mother goddess who is often transgender; mostly men or intersex individuals who emasculate themselves

seen as powerful ritual figures but also discriminated against

two-spirit

found in many Native American culture, they are transgender men/women that adopt roles of the opposite gender and are thought to have supernatural powers and prestige

potential reasons for women’s lower status worldwide

• symbolic association of women with nature and men with culture(which is more highly valued)

• women confined to private, domestic sphere and men dominate public spheres

gender stratification

an unequal distribution of power I which gender shapes who has access to a group’s 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

gender violence

forms of violence shaped by the gender identities of the people involved

includes rape, sex trafficking, dowry death, female infanticide, female genital cutting, and domestic abuse

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

domestic violence

physical, sexual, or psychological harm inflicted by a current or former partner or spouse