Key: AWL to Study, Low-frequency Vocabulary The Gender Continua Key: AWL to Study, Low-frequency Vocabulary What is gender? What is a continuum?

Cultural Norms and Expectations Prompt people to interpret gender as two discrete polarities: male and female Nature’s rich diversity includes a vast array of unique and varied gender manifestations. A very small number of people can claim to be entirely male or female. If few people can claim to be 100% male or female, what can they claim?

Do you agree that gender is a continuum? Explain. Gender: A Continuum Experts describe gender as a continuum with individuals at every point between the two extremes of male and female. Do you agree that gender is a continuum? Explain.

Describe the four scales included in the gender continua. Four Separate Scales Describe the four scales included in the gender continua.

Biological Sex Traits are assessed objectively using modern medical technology. hormone levels chromosome types internal and external reproductive systems secondary-sex characteristics Can you give examples of each of the four types of biological sex characteristics?

Not an Either-Or Phenomenon Real-life examples exist at every point on the scale. Intersex Society of North America estimates one out of every 100 people differ from the “norm.” In this context, what is meant by the term “norm”?

What traits are typically associated with each gender? Gender Identity How people view themselves in terms of gender. continuum with more than two categories In an honest self-assessment, people will admit to having some traits of the opposite sex. What traits are typically associated with each gender?

Societal and Familial Expectations May lead to discomfort or anxiety about an “inappropriate” gender characteristic may lead to homophobic behavior. What is homophobia?

In what other ways do you think gender can be communicated? Gender Expression Comprises the ways people communicate gender: dress hairstyles mannerisms interests speech Masculine and feminine expression are at either end of the continuum. androgynous at the center In what other ways do you think gender can be communicated?

Are you surprised by Kinsey’s findings? Why or why not? Sexual Orientation End points of the continuum: attracted to men attracted to women Mid-range bisexual and asexual people Presumed that people are at one end or the other. However, Alfred Kinsey’s classic studies illustrate that the majority of people exhibit an attraction to both sexes. Are you surprised by Kinsey’s findings? Why or why not?

The Gender-continua Model The full spectrum of naturally occurring gender manifestations negates the culturally imposed, black-and-white view of gender. equates it with infinite possibilities. What is meant by the phrase “black-and-white view”?