BM

SOC 238 - Gender and Health Study Notes

Key Concepts & Considerations

  • Focus on the study of Sex, Gender, & Health

  • Address health disparities across gender categories

  • Emphasis on social context of health & illness

Learning Objectives

  • Understand key terminology related to sex, gender, and health.

  • Analyze influences of sex and gender on health outcomes.

  • Critically examine health disparities in contemporary society.

Sex, Gender, & Health

  • Biological differences exist, but disparities across genders must be examined.

  • Health is influenced by social, political, and economic contexts (Dorothy Smith).

  • Importance of socio-cultural beliefs and discourses concerning gender and health.

Definitions: Sex vs. Gender

  • Sex: Biological construct involving anatomy, physiology, genes, and hormones; influences identity and treatment in society.

  • Gender: Social construct that is culturally specific; varies widely across contexts and is not binary.

    • Cis-gender: When gender identity aligns with sex at birth.

  • Debate among sociologists regarding biological determination vs. social construction of health.

  • Variation exists within sex categories, impacting health outcomes and experiences.

Influence of Sex and Gender on Health

  • Specific health risks associated with biological sex, e.g., ovarian cancer affecting individuals with ovaries.

  • Gender roles can influence risk factors, e.g., talcum powder linked to feminine norms.

  • Access to health care and the influence of social factors lead to disparities in symptom diagnosis and treatment.

Gendered Distribution of Health & Illness

  • Gender contextualizes health and illness, affecting access to resources and social determinants of health.

  • Historical context of gendered experiences: Men historically take greater health risks, leading to lower life expectancy (e.g., risky behaviors).

Gendered Experiences

  • Men: Historically faced greater mortality due to risky behaviors and social stigmas against health-seeking.

  • Un masculine to worry about their health quality

  • leads to lower life expectancy and higher rates of preventable diseases, as men may avoid seeking medical help until conditions become severe.

  • Women: Historically health-conscious but faced risks from childbirth and societal expectations. Recent improvements linked to legal and social status changes (e.g., better access to care). maternity leave policies have evolved, recognizing the importance of supporting women's health during and after pregnancy, which contributes to better outcomes for both mothers and infants.

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Health Disparities

  • Women's life expectancy: 83.89 years vs. men's: 79.51 years (2023).

  • 11% of Canadian women have chronic conditions compared to 4% of men.

  • Women face various health issues (e.g., osteoporosis, anxiety), while men have higher risks for life-threatening conditions.

Health Disparities in Gender Categories

  • Transgender and non-binary individuals face distinct health disparities linked to stigma and discrimination.

  • Lack of research and data for these populations; emphasis on mental health disparities is noted.

Social Context of Health Disparities

  • Gender is a social determinant affecting stratification and opportunities, influencing health through intersections with class, race, and other identities.

  • Significant barriers in accessing prenatal care for marginalized women.

Gender, Education & Employment

  • Education linked to health: higher education correlates with better health outcomes; still, substantial gender-based employment inequities persist.

  • Women's average income: $61,000 vs. men's $88,900 (Statistics Canada, 2023).

Gender, Income & Employment

  • Gender pay gap persists; various factors contribute to lower earnings for women, including occupation types.

  • Employment types differ by gender, correlating with health disparities.

Intersecting Influences on Health

  • Social determinants reveal health differences across genders; women in precarious circumstances face worse health outcomes.

  • Poor living conditions adversely impact health, especially among marginalized populations.

Gender & Men's Health

  • Men's health influenced negatively by harmful gender roles leading to higher rates of accidents, suicide, and heart disease.

  • Recognition of a 'silent crisis' in men's mental health due to societal pressures and stigma surrounding help-seeking behaviors.

Summary

  • Gender significantly influences health beyond biological differences; health disparities stem from social roles, access to resources, and environmental contexts. Although there have been positive shifts towards gender equality, not all groups have benefited equally.

Critical Reflection & Discussion Activity

  • Exploration of structural sexism: its levels of operation and its connection to health disparities.

  • Consider health issues illustrative of structural sexism in Canadian society.

  • Examples of health conditions that disproportionately affect specific sexes or gender identities, addressing the connection to both biological and social determinants.

Upcoming Schedule

  • Topics to be covered include racialization, ethnicity & health disparities, and Indigenous peoples’ health in the upcoming classes.