Gender Studies Overview

These flashcards cover key concepts related to gender studies, including discussions on sex, gender, essentialism, and various feminist perspectives.

What event in 2009 raised questions about sex and gender concerning Caster Semenya?

Caster Semenya failed a sex test and was publicly labeled intersexed.

What questions arise from the case of Caster Semenya?

How can a sex test be failed? Did the test fail her, and how can intersex individuals compete in sports?

What is the International Association of Athletics Associations' ruling regarding Semenya?

Semenya must take medication to lower her testosterone levels to compete.

What are the biological traits associated with sex?

Chromosomes, hormone levels, and sex organs.

How does gender differ from sex?

Gender encompasses social, cultural, and psychological traits linked to males and females.

What is the sexual continuum?

A spectrum of sexual orientations from exclusively heterosexual, through various degrees, to exclusively homosexual.

What did Kinsey find regarding premarital sex among men and women?

85% of men and 50% of women reported engaging in premarital sex.

What is essentialism in the context of gender studies?

The belief that gender differences are biologically determined and immutable.

What is one criticism of essentialism?

Essentialists ignore historical and cultural variability, as evidenced by variations in gender roles across cultures.

What economic factors contribute to gender inequality in the workplace?

Sex segregation, sex typing, discrimination, and a general devaluation of women's work.

How many federal politicians in Canada were female in 2015?

88 out of 338 federal politicians were female.

What are two sources of women's oppression according to socialist feminists?

Capitalism and patriarchy.

What is the radical feminist perspective on female oppression?

Women are oppressed because they are women, and the state is inherently male and oppressive.

What is the intersectionist perspective on gender?

Oppression exists in many forms and is cumulative; it acknowledges that experiences of gender differ across various backgrounds.

What does Mathews' research suggest about adolescent girls and beauty norms?

Girls are not passive victims; they view beauty as a means to access social power.

What do many sociologists believe regarding the division of labor in society?

The division of labor is socially constructed rather than biologically determined.