ilovepdf_merged (17)

UNIT 1: THE NATURE OF GENDER STUDIES

Objectives

• Distinguish and explain sex, gender and sexuality.

• Underscore the different issues concerning the five sexes.

• Realize and acknowledge the distinctions of the different sexes, gender, and sexuality.

Key Concepts

Definitions:

• Sex: Refers to the biological differences between males and females, including primary and secondary sex characteristics.

• Gender: Cultural and social distinctions associated with being male or female, including gender roles and identity.

• Sexuality: Emotional and sexual attraction to particular sexes (male, female, etc.).

Historical Context

• 1843 Incident of Levi Suydam:

  • Challenged the binary view of gender and sex by attempting to vote in a contested election, sparking debate over his sex due to ambiguous physical traits.

  • Illustrates the struggle and scrutiny faced by individuals whose identities do not fit neatly into male or female categories.

Cultural Constructs of Sex and Gender

• Western culture promotes a binary view of sex (male and female); language and legal documents reinforce this dichotomy.

• Intersex individuals highlight the existence of a spectrum of biological attributes that complicate the male/female binary.

The Five Sexes (Fausto-Sterling)

• Herms (hermaphrodites): Individuals with both ovary and testis.

• Merms (male pseudohermaphrodites): Males with testes and some female characteristics.

• Ferms (female pseudohermaphrodites): Females with ovaries and some male characteristics.

• Author argues that sex is a continuum, with intersex births ranging from 1% to 4%.

Medical and Social Implications

• Medical community often surgically assigns intersex individuals to male or female categories shortly after birth.

• This underscores societal pressure to conform to binary notions of sex and gender, impacting the psychological well-being of intersex persons.

Gender, Sex, and Sexuality Distinctions

1. Sex:

   • Biological attributes (reproductive system, chromosomes).

2. Gender:

   • Social roles and behaviors expected of males and females, heavily influenced by cultural norms.

3. Sexuality:

   • Attraction patterns including heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, asexuality, and more.

Research and Perspectives

• Margaret Mead's Research:

  • Found that perceptions of masculinity and femininity vary widely across cultures, challenging the assumed universality of gender traits.

• Gender Fluidity:

  • Recognized in various cultures with terms like "two-spirit" among Native American groups and "fa'afafine" in Samoan culture.

Types of Sexual Orientations

• Androsexuality: Attraction to males.

• Asexuality: No attraction to either sex.

• Bisexuality: Attraction to both sexes.

• Heterosexuality: Attraction to the opposite sex.

• Homosexuality: Attraction to the same sex.

• Autosexuality: Attraction to oneself.

• Demisexuality: Attraction only to those with strong emotional bonds.

• Polyamory: Engaging in multiple consensual romantic relationships.

Societal Norms and Gender Roles

• Societal pressures distinguish the expectations placed on males (financial success) versus females (nurturing roles).

• Gender roles are reinforced through socialization, media representations, and familial expectations.

Historical and Societal Developments

• Historical changes in gender roles stem from agricultural practices, political movements, and cultural evolution.

• The sexual revolution, civil rights movement, and counterculture of the 1960s and '70s reshaped views on gender and encouraged greater freedom in gender expressions.

Conclusion

• The ongoing evolution of gender studies reflects changing societal norms and validates diverse gender identities and expressions.

• Understanding gender as a spectrum rather than a binary construct is crucial in contemporary analysis and appreciation of individual identities.