Categories by which society classifies people Categories by which society classifies people Race Race Class Class Sexuality( homo/ hetereo) Sexuality( homo/ hetereo) Gender Gender

Gender & Sexuality in Anthropology Gender & Sexuality in Anthropology Society makes symbolic distinction between male- female( sexual dimorphism) Society makes symbolic distinction between male- female( sexual dimorphism) Gender meanings are not determined by nature or biological reasons but have systemic implications for individuals in society Gender meanings are not determined by nature or biological reasons but have systemic implications for individuals in society Gender norms are a good example of hegemonic discourses, power; cultural prestige often attributed to the male Gender norms are a good example of hegemonic discourses, power; cultural prestige often attributed to the male

Gender Division of Labor Cross-cultural analysis reveals widespread gender divisions of labor Cross-cultural analysis reveals widespread gender divisions of labor Gender roles- refer to the task and activities a culture assigns to the sexes. Gender roles- refer to the task and activities a culture assigns to the sexes. Women perform domestic activities like child care and men do outdoor work( trade, politics, war etc) Women perform domestic activities like child care and men do outdoor work( trade, politics, war etc) Gender roles vary with the environment, economy, adoptive strategy, level of complexity and participation in the world economy Gender roles vary with the environment, economy, adoptive strategy, level of complexity and participation in the world economy

How gender norms are reinforced Gender stereotypes eg. Certain jobs can only be done by men, nursing best profession for women Gender stereotypes eg. Certain jobs can only be done by men, nursing best profession for women Gender roles and normative expectations- women are supposed to act feminine, should not talk at certain occasions Gender roles and normative expectations- women are supposed to act feminine, should not talk at certain occasions Constructed gender differences are often projected onto the world as organizing categories Constructed gender differences are often projected onto the world as organizing categories

The body as site of consumption The body as site of consumption Gendered individual involves the manipulation of our bodies( cross- over) Gendered individual involves the manipulation of our bodies( cross- over) We intervene in many ways to force women to conform with societal expectations of beauty- eat right to look good( starvation) We intervene in many ways to force women to conform with societal expectations of beauty- eat right to look good( starvation) transgressors can be punished for failure to follow normative expectations. transgressors can be punished for failure to follow normative expectations.