BOW MOD 3

Chapter 3: The Evolution of Sex and Gender

• Negative societal reactions to atypical gender signals often stem from the idea that gender is inherently linked to biological sex.

Sex and Gender

• Sex Defined:

  • Activity (e.g., intercourse)

  • Group identified by sexual anatomy and physiology

  • Specific body organs and characteristics

  • Assignment based on the size of sex cells

  • Group identity (e.g., transsexual, heterosexual)

• Gender Defined:

  • Assigned group based on sexual anatomy and behaviors associated with sex

  • Translations and categories in various languages (e.g., masculine/feminine nouns in Spanish or French)

Understanding Sex

• Assigned usually at birth (visibility of penis)

• Gendered items and behaviors (e.g., pink bows) follow this assignment

• Development of secondary sex characteristics during puberty reflects sex:

  • Breasts in females

  • Muscle mass in males

  • Different fat distribution and hair growth patterns

• Some infants may not have clear genitalia, leading to parental decisions with medical advice

• Surgical options may modify genital appearance to align with assigned sex

• Mismatches between external and internal sex organs can go unnoticed until puberty

Understanding Gender

• Gender is shaped by cultural expectations, not biological imperatives

• Expectations vary across different cultures and eras

• Gendered behaviors can accentuate (e.g., shaving) or downplay (e.g., fashion) biological differences.

• Societal norms dictate behavioral expectations based on sex, leading to frustration when someone's gender cannot be easily identified.

The Role of Clothing in Gender

• Clothing is often the only visible indicator of gender identity; contrast this with how sex is typically signified (e.g., anatomy).

Cultural Expectations and Social Norms

• Not conforming to gender norms can provoke suspicion and feelings of rebellion against established social constructs.

• Gender socialization occurs early, influenced by continuous societal messages on expected behaviors.

• Those who deviate from gender norms face relentless correction, impacting their identity.

Social Construction of Gender

• The variability of gender roles across cultures indicates that gender is a social construct.

• Anthropological research shows similar behaviors can be gendered differently in distinct cultures, and some societies acknowledge more than two genders.

Examples of Multiple Genders in Culture

• Papago, Yuma, and Navajo peoples recognize four genders:

  • Female: Female body, female gendered behavior (e.g., housekeeping)

  • Male: Male body, male gendered behavior (e.g., hunting)

  • Amazon: Female body, male gendered behavior (e.g., hunting)

  • Berdache: Male body, female gendered behavior (e.g., housekeeping)

Hijra in India

• The Hijra community, recognized as neither fully male nor female, holds a unique position in Indian culture, recognized legally as a third gender.

Reproductive Strategies

• Asexual Reproduction:

  • Occurs in various organisms, including Bacteria, Archaea, and many Eukarya

  • Some vertebrates can also reproduce asexually under certain conditions

Sexual vs. Asexual Reproduction

• Sex serves to create genetic diversity and resilience against pathogens, despite being riskier (e.g., dangers related to mating).

Evolution of Sexual Reproduction

• Provides advantages over asexual reproduction:

  • Increased genetic combinations from two parents

  • Unique genetic traits in siblings

  • However, it also entails costs, such as complex reproductive systems.

Natural Selection and Evolution

1. More offspring produced than can survive leads to a struggle for existence.

2. Fit individuals survive and reproduce.

3. Offspring inherit genes from surviving ancestors, leading to evolutionary changes.

Other Examples of Evolution

• Emerging antibiotic resistance in bacteria

• The emergence of new viruses (e.g., SARS-CoV-2)

Reasons for Sexual Reproduction

• Increases genetic variability which contributes to species stability.

• Genetic diversity can enhance survival against diseases and parasites.

Side Effects of Survival Strategies

• Evolution of features to facilitate reproduction and improve survivability.

Role of the Cytoskeleton

• Enables sorting of chromosomes during cell division, critical during meiosis and mitosis.

• Contributes to the complexity of sexual reproduction and gamete formation.

Mitosis Overview

• Basic process of cell division leading to two identical daughter cells.

Meiosis Overview

• More complex than mitosis, involving two division phases allowing for genetic variation in gametes.

Divergence of Gamete Sizes

• Evolution favors extremes in gamete size resulting in large, significant female investments and small, numerous male contributions.

Gender Evolution

• Interaction between genetic instincts (nature) and learned behaviors (nurture) shapes gender.

Cultural Implications of Gender

• Social roles create expectations and norms around gendered behavior and responsibilities.

Participants in Gender Discussion

• Engage in class discussions to explore threads around gender identity and roles.

Essay Assignment

• Write a narrative that imagines & explains a hypothetical matriarchal human society rooted in biological examples.

Gender Division of Labor

• Evaluates gender roles in domestic and professional settings, the impact of pay disparities and social dynamics.

End of Chapter 3

• Reminder to complete the Chapter 3 quiz by the deadline.