Chapter 2 Gender

Chapter Sections 2-1 Terminology of Gender Roles 2-2 Theories of Gender Role Development 2-3 Agents of Socialization 2-4 Consequences of Traditional Gender Role Socialization 2-5 Changing Gender Roles

Terminology Sex: the biological distinction between females and males – Includes chromosomes, gonads, hormones, internal sex organs, external sex organs

Terminology Intersexed individuals: people with mixed or ambiguous genitals Intersex development: congenital variations in the reproductive system, sometimes resulting in ambiguous genitals

Terminology Gender: the social and psychological characteristics associated with being female or male Socialization: the process through which we learn attitudes, values, beliefs, and behaviors

Terminology Gender Identity: the psychological state of viewing oneself as a girl or boy and, later, as a man or woman Gender dysphoria: a condition in which one’s gender identity does not match one’s biological sex

Terminology Transgender: a generic term for a person of one biological sex who displays characteristics of the opposite sex Cross-dresser: a generic term for individuals who may dress or present themselves in the gender of the opposite sex

Terminology Transsexual: an individual who has the anatomical and genetic characteristics of one sex but the self-concept of another

Terminology Gender role: the behaviors assigned to women and men in a society – Women are expected to nurture children. Sex role: behaviors defined by biological constraints – Only women can nurse infants.

Terminology Gender role ideology: the beliefs about the proper relationships between women and men in any given society

Terminology—Application Match the term with the description TermDescription SexBehaviors assigned by society GenderPart of the self-concept Gender identityBehaviors assigned by biology Gender roleBiological distinction Sex roleSocial and psychological characteristics

Theories of Development Biosocial theory (sociobiology) emphasizes social behaviors as biologically based and having evolutionary survival function. Parent investment: any investment by a parent that increases the offspring’s chance of surviving Gender roles increase the chance of survival.

Theories Social learning theory emphasizes the role of reward and punishment. Children learn gender roles when: – They are rewarded or punished. – Adults model behavior. – They receive direct instruction.

Theories Identification theory suggests that children acquire the characteristics and behaviors through a process of identification. Girls want to be like their mothers. Boys want to be like their fathers.

Theories Cognitive-developmental theories reflect a blend of the biological and social learning views. The biological readiness of a child influences how a child responds to cues in the environment. By age 6 or 7 children view gender as permanent and wish to become competent.

Theories—Application Match the theory with the description TheoryDescription IdentificationRewards and punishments Cognitive-developmentalInnate LearningWanting to be like the parent BiosocialDesiring competence

Agents of Socialization Agents of socialization are individuals and groups that influence development. Family: parents and siblings Race/ethnicity: different gender roles Peers: important throughout the school years Religion: emphasis of some on traditional roles

Agents of Socialization Education: schools and teachers Economy: occupation sex segregation—the concentration of men and women in different occupations Mass media: movies, television, books, and magazines

Consequences of Traditional Gender Role Socialization Less income: Women earn about 2/3 of what men earn. Feminization of poverty: disproportionate percentage of those living in poverty constituted by women living alone and with their children

Table 2.2: Women’s and Men’s Median Income with Similar Education

Consequences Higher risk for sexually transmitted infections for women Negative body image for women – Sexism: an attitude, action, or institutional structure that subordinates or discriminates against individuals and groups because of their sex Less marital satisfaction for women

Consequences Positive consequences for women: Longer life expectancy: 81.4 (women) compared to 76.4 (men) Stronger relationship focus Keeping relationship on track Bonding with children

Table 2.1: Consequences of Traditional Female Role Socialization

Consequences Negative consequences for men: Identity synonymous with occupation Limited expression of emotions Fear of intimacy Custody disadvantages Shorter life expectancy

Consequences Positive consequences for men: Freedom of movement Greater pool of potential partners Norm of initiating a relationship

Table 2.3: Consequences of Traditional Male Role Socialization

Changing Gender Roles Androgyny refers to being neither male nor female but a blend of both traits Physiological: intersexed individuals Behavioral: blending of traditional behaviors Positive androgyny: devoid of negative traits associated with a gender

Changing Roles Gender role transcendence: abandoning gender frameworks and looking at phenomena independent of traditional gender categories Females are becoming more masculine. Males are not becoming more feminine.

Changing Roles Gender postmodernism: People would no longer be categorized as male or female but would be recognized as capable of many identities.

Chapter Summary A variety of terms are relevant for understanding issues of gender including sex, gender, gender identity, and gender roles. Theories of gender development provide alternative explanations. Agents of socialization include family, race/ethnicity, peers, religion, and mass media.

Chapter Summary There are both positive and negative consequences of traditional gender roles Gender roles are changing in the direction of androgyny.

Chapter Review 1.What are the different terms that refer to gender? 2.What are the different theories of gender role development? 3.How do the agents of socialization influence gender role development? 4.What are the positive and negative consequences of gender roles? 5.How are gender roles changing?