Sex, Gender, and Gender Role Socialization Chapter 3
Sex Refers to the physical and biological Includes: Chromosomal xx and xy Hormonal Testosterone, Estrogen And…
Sex Anatomical
Gender and Gender Identity Gender : Social Psychological Cultural Masculinity and Femininity Gender identity : View of herself or himself as: Feminine or Masculine
Gender Characteristics Sex—A scribed status Gender—A chieved status Gender characteristics: Physical Emotional Behavioral
Social Construction of Gender Gender Roles –Expectations regarding proper: –Behavior –Attitudes –Activities –Roles in work –Reaction to others Little Girl comments on gender roles
Gender Role Socialization “...a lifelong process people learn: Values Attitudes Motivations Behavior Considered appropriate by their culture”
Gender Role Socialization Children learn proper behavior Parents/family Peer groups School Media
9/19 Masculine Scripts Man vs Woman tailpage tailpage 1. No sissy-stuff – Distance themselves from the feminine 2. Big wheel-Occupationally and/or financially successful 3. Sturdy oak-Confident and self-reliant 4. Give ‘em hell-Do what is necessary to “make it”
Feminine Scripts Dove Transformation Attractive Not too competitive Good listener Adaptable Good mother Put needs of others first lated lated Female to Male and Back Again
Pink & Blue Telling the Boys from the Girls Smithsonian &page= &page=1
Theories on Gender Inequality
Structural Functionalist Perspective Parsons and Bales (1956): Women-- Expressive roles Men--Instrumental roles
Structural Functionalist Perspective Women give birth & nurse children “Natural” to provide care Prepare meals Maintain home Men Financial support Economically dominant roles in family Budget Spending Decisions Bank Account
Structural Functionalist Perspective Pre-industrial society=Gender based division of labor Women nursed and cared for children Men responsible for material needs Industrialization—Traditional division of labor less functional Belief system remains
Conflict Theory Gender inequality=Power Men dominate women Economic Political Social resources Powerful have no incentive: To give up power or Share it
Conflict Theory Continued Domination: Requires belief system (ideology) Supports gender inequality Two beliefs 1. Women-Inferior outside the home 2. Women-More valuable in the home
Symbolic Interactionist Perspective Gender & gender roles learned through socialization (process) Women socialized into Expressive roles Men socialized into Instrumental roles
Symbolic Interactionist Perspective Micro level behavior expressing & maintaining dominance (research) Men more likely than women to: Change topic of conversations Ignore topics chosen by women Minimize ideas of women Interrupt women
Research Rubin, Provenzano, and Luria, (1974) First 24 hours after birth Parents described girls & boys differently
Research “Boy” babies described as: Alert Strong Firm “Girl” babies described as: Less attentive Weak Fragile
Research Jacklin (1984) Boys given blocks & tools Girls given dolls & easy-bake ovens McHale et al., (1990) Boys mow lawn Girls do dishes & babysit
Other Influences on Gender Socialization Peers Schools Mass Media Religion
Media and Socialization Typical day: 47% of babies & toddlers ages 0-1 watch TV or DVDs Those who watch average nearly 2 hours (1:54)/day Nearly 1 in 3 (30%) have TV in bedrooms (Knowledge Networks survey of 1,384 parents of children ages 0 to 8 years old, May 27-June 15, 2011 )
Media and Socialization Children ages 6-23 months (2005) 19% TV in their bedrooms Children ages 6-23 months (2011) 29% TV in their bedrooms
Media and Socialization Two-thirds (65%) of 0 to 8-year-olds watch TV at least once every day 37% of 0-1 year-olds 73% of 2- to 4-year-olds 72% of 5- to 8-year-olds What are they learning?
Media and Socialization 1. Learn about gender identity from news media? 2. Learn from video games? 3. Gender messages from movies? What are the consequences? Personally and Socially?