Chapter 11 Sex, Gender, and Sexuality

Chapter Outline Sex: The Biological Dimension Gender: The Cultural Dimension Gender Stratification in Historical and Contemporary Perspective Gender and Socialization Contemporary Gender Inequality Perspectives on Gender Stratification Gender Issues in the Future

Three important distinctions Sex: biological characteristics Primary secondary Sexuality (or sexual orientation): attraction Heterosexual Homosexual Bisexual asexual Gender: social Male Female

Sex: The Biological Dimension Sex refers to the biological and anatomical differences between females and males. Primary sex characteristics: the genitalia used in the reproductive process. Secondary sex characteristics: the physical traits (other than reproductive organs) that identify an individual’s sex. The American Psychological Association (2010) defines sexualization as the acts or processes whereby an individual or group is seen as sexual in nature or persons become aware of their sexuality. An intersexed person is an individual who is born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that does not correspond to typical definitions of male or female; in other words, the person’s sexual differentiation is ambiguous. Transgendered person—an individual whose gender identity (self-identification as woman, man, neither, or both) does not match the person’s assigned sex (identification by others as male, female, or intersex based on physical/genetic sex). A cross-dresser (formerly known as a transvestite), a male who dresses as a woman or a female who dresses as a man but does not alter his or her genitalia.

Sex …not always one or the other Intersexuals People whose bodies have both male and female primary and/or secondary characteristics Transexuals An individual who identifies with a gender that is inconsistent or not culturally in line with their assigned sex

Male and Female “differences” Seen as “natural” Lets discuss some differences Margaret Mead’s research: Posited that if gender were based on biology, all cultures would display the same male, female characteristics Found evidence against this in study of three different cultures

Sexuality or sexual orientation A person’s romantic, emotional and ,mainly, physical attraction to another person Homosexual: romantic or sexual attraction to individuals of the same sex Heterosexual: romantic or sexual attraction to individuals of the opposite sex

Sexual orientation refers to an individual’s preference for emotional–sexual relationships with members of the different sex (heterosexuality), the same sex (homosexuality), or both (bisexuality). Homophobia refers to extreme prejudice and sometimes discriminatory actions directed at gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and others who are perceived as not being heterosexual.

Sexuality…not one or the other Bisexuality: sexual attraction to people of all sexes Asexuality: a lack of sexual attraction to people of either sex

Gender: The Cultural Dimension Gender refers to the culturally and socially constructed differences between females and males found in the meanings, beliefs, and practices associated with “femininity” and “masculinity.” Gender role refers to the attitudes, behavior, and activities that are socially defined as appropriate for each sex and are learned through the socialization process. Gender identity is a person’s perception of the self as female or male. Body consciousness is how a person perceives and feels about his or her body.

Sexism is the subordination of one sex, usually female, based on the assumed superiority of the other sex. Negative attitudes toward women Stereotypical beliefs that reinforce, complement, or justify the prejudice Discrimination Patriarchy is a hierarchical system of social organization in which cultural, political, and economic structures are controlled by men. Matriarchy is a hierarchical system of social organization in which cultural, political, and economic structures are controlled by women.

Gender Stratification in Historical and Contemporary Perspective Hunting and Gathering Societies relative gender equality Horticultural and Pastoral Societies decreasing gender equality Agrarian Societies low women’s status Industrial Societies Postindustrial Societies varied gender equality

Gender and Socialization Parents and Gender Socialization behavior toys chores racial differences Peers and Gender Socialization “appropriate” games

Teachers, Schools, and Gender Socialization Interactions Gender bias consists of showing favoritism toward one gender over the other. Sports and Gender Socialization Competition

Discussion What would happen if children were not socialized in gender specific roles?

Mass Media and Gender Socialization television advertisements Adult Gender Socialization workforce aging

Contemporary Gender Inequality Gender Inequality in the Workforce Inequality in management positions Gender-segregated work refers to the concentration of women and men in different occupations, jobs, and places of work. Labor market segmentation refers to the division of jobs into categories with distinct working conditions. Gendered pay gap - the disparity between women’s and men’s earnings. Pay equity or comparable worth is the belief that wages ought to reflect the worth of a job, not the gender or race of the worker.

Women’s Wages as a Percentage of Men’s Figure 11.2

Paid Work and Family Work “second shift” “the sandwich generation”

Perspectives on Gender Stratification Functionalist and Neoclassical Economic Perspectives instrumental versus expressive tasks The human capital model suggests that individuals vary widely in the amount of human capital they bring to the labor market. Human capital is acquired by education and job training; it is the source of a person’s productivity and can be measured in terms of the return on the investment (wages) and the cost (schooling or training).

Conflict Perspectives The gendered division of labor within families and in the workplace results from male control of and dominance over women and resources. Feminist Perspectives Feminism refers to the belief that women and men are equal and should be valued equally and have equal rights. Liberal Feminism Radical Feminism Socialist Feminism Multicultural Feminism

Gender Issues in the Future Wage gap Global gender inequality

Quick Quiz

Answer: c In which type of society are men and women relatively equal? Agrarian Pastoral Hunting and gathering Industrial Answer: c Men and women are relatively equal in hunting and gathering societies.

Answer: a Primary sex characteristics include: genitalia. ones that are most important in a relationship. clothing that a person wears. characteristics such as facial hair and tone of voice that are obvious when meeting someone. Answer: a Primary sex characteristics include genitalia.

A ____ is a person for whom the sex-related structures of the brain that define gender identity are opposite from the physical sex organs of the person's body. transsexual hermaphrodite transvestite homosexual Answer: a A transsexual is a person for whom the sex-related structures of the brain that define gender identity are opposite from the physical sex organs of the person's body.

Extreme prejudice against gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and non- heterosexuals is: thesbianophobia xenophobia homophobia agoraphobia Answer: c Extreme prejudice against gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and non-heterosexuals is homophobia.

The belief that women’s oppression results from their dual roles as paid and unpaid workers in a capitalist economy is called: radical feminism liberal feminism socialist feminism multicultural feminism Answers: c The belief that women’s oppression results from their dual roles as paid and unpaid workers in a capitalist economy is called socialist feminism.