Shaping Gender in Society Dr Susan Fournier

Question Is Gender the same as Sex?

Definition of Sex Sex refers to the biological and anatomical differences between females and males. Primary sex characteristics Primary sex characteristics Genitalia Chromosomes xx female, xy male Secondary sex characteristics Secondary sex characteristics Female: breasts, hips, menstruation Male: build, beard, voice

Gender = A Social Construction Culturally and socially constructed differences between females and males in the meanings, beliefs, and practices associated with "femininity" and "masculinity." Culturally and socially constructed differences between females and males in the meanings, beliefs, and practices associated with "femininity" and "masculinity."

Gender Identity Gender is a social construction. Gender is a social construction. Gender does not exist at birth. Gender does not exist at birth. Gender Identity = Your perception of your “Self” as male or female Gender Identity = Your perception of your “Self” as male or female Develops through socialization Agents of socialization impact gender identity

Sex/Gender Recap Sex is biological Sex is biological Your sex exists at birth Your sex exists at birth Male Male Female Female Gender is social Gender is social Your gender is socially constructed Your gender is socially constructed Masculinity Femininity

Question How did your family (as an agent of socialization) influence your gender identity?

Question Why is Gender Socially Significant? Why is Gender Socially Significant? Why such a fuss whether a child is a boy or a girl? Why such a fuss whether a child is a boy or a girl?

Gender & Discrimination Gender is socially significant because… it leads to differential treatment of boys and girls, and men and women it leads to differential treatment of boys and girls, and men and women From the earliest play days, through school, into the workplace From the earliest play days, through school, into the workplace Sexism (like racism) often is used to justify discrimination Sexism (like racism) often is used to justify discrimination on the basis of gender

Definition of Sexism The subordination of one sex The subordination of one sex based on the assumed superiority of the other sex based on the assumed superiority of the other sex Sexism typically refers to the subordination of women Sexism typically refers to the subordination of women

Example of Gender Stereotypes Sexism reinforces stereotypes based on gender differences Sexism reinforces stereotypes based on gender differences Early socialization includes many of these images and stereotypes Early socialization includes many of these images and stereotypes

Food For Thought… Is Gender Socialization Planting the Roots of Sexism?

Basic Elements of Sexism Negative attitudes toward one sex Negative attitudes toward one sex Stereotypical beliefs (based on negative attitudes) justifying prejudice Stereotypical beliefs (based on negative attitudes) justifying prejudice Discrimination (actions based on prejudiced beliefs) Discrimination (actions based on prejudiced beliefs)

Gender Socialization Example What messages are young children picking up from the Media? What messages are young children picking up from the Media? Are we socializing girls toward lower paying professions? Are we socializing girls toward lower paying professions?

Question How does the MEDIA contribute to gender stereotypes in early socialization? How does the MEDIA contribute to gender stereotypes in early socialization? Give an Example Give an Example

Toys Commercials & Gender Socialization Hasbro’s rose petal cottage Hasbro’s rose petal cottage V9H-8k V9H-8k V9H-8k V9H-8k What are girls learning from ads like this?

Toys Commercials & Gender Socialization Tonka Truck ad 1980s Tonka Truck ad 1980s jUwVpM jUwVpM jUwVpM jUwVpM Power Rangers Power Rangers 2n7nSU&feature=related 2n7nSU&feature=related 2n7nSU&feature=related 2n7nSU&feature=related

Do Ads Impact the Youngest Children? Without understanding the dialogue, will young children still get the message? Without understanding the dialogue, will young children still get the message? Power Rangers (in French) Power Rangers (in French) -PrL6w -PrL6w -PrL6w -PrL6w

Question How did the Media contribute to YOUR Gender Socialization?

“Every Inch a Lady”

Question Is it possible to raise a child to be gender-neutral?

Final Question What changes would YOU make to the gender socialization process?

How would you improve the gender socialization process?

Any Questions?

End of Seminar Have a Great Week! Have a Great Week!