Gender

Exploring Gender Roles Societal expectations for men Stereotypical male jobs-why? Societal expectations for women Stereotypical female jobs-why?

Tomboy vs. sissy Parents more concerned about their sons showing masculine behavior and male gender behavior than girls showing feminine behavior

How do “male” and “female” toys promote and encourage gender differences? 1. Write down 3 of your favorite childhood toys. 2. Describe if it was a stereotypical “male” or “female” toy or if it was gender neutral. 3. What skills and/or abilities are encouraged by playing with that toy? 4. Could encouraging boys and girls to play with different toys lead to gender differences in skills and abilities?

Gender study In studies in which infant girls where exposed to androgens (male hormones) while in their mother’s womb, the girls became “tomboys” as children, preferring to play with typically masculine toys and participating in male-dominated play activities. Yet when these same girl grew into puberty and adulthood, they became more feminine in their behavior. What do these findings mean for the nature/nurture controversy.

Sex = physical characteristics Gender = psychological aspects of being masculine or feminine The expectations of one’s culture, the development of one’s personality, and one’s sense of identity are all affected by the concept of gender

Gender Roles A culture’s expectations for the behavior of a person who is perceived as male or female, including attitudes, actions, and personality traits associated with a particular gender within that culture.

Gender typing The process by which people learn their cultures’ preferences and expectations for proper “masculine” and “feminine” behavior. The process by which one develops a gender identity (a sense of being male or female) is influenced by both biological and environmental factors

As children develop the concept of gender, they begin to imitate the behavior of those they see as similar to themselves. Young girls learn that women wear cosmetics. As they grow up, they will incorporate their mothers’ behavior and ideas about what it means to be female into their own personalities

Cognitive differences between men and women Men = listen with only with left hemisphere Women = listen with both right and left hemispheres Tone and emotion are taken into account as well as content

Social and Personality differences between men and women Generally in the US, boys are taught to hold in their emotions, not to cry, to be “strong” and “manly” Girls are encouraged to form emotional attachments, be emotional, and be open about their feelings with others