1. Constructing Gender and Sexuality
Chapter 10
Constructing
Gender and Sexuality

2. Overview Defining Sex and Gender Gender Role Socialization
In-Class Exercise
Gender Role Socialization
Video Presentation: “Killing Us Softly 4”
Gender Inequality
Theoretical Perspectives
Life Chances
The Women’s and Men’s Movements
Sexual Orientation

3. Defining Sex and Gender
Humans divided into two biologically distinct categories

4. Defining Sex and Gender
An ascribed status
One in 2,000 births is “intersexed”
A person whose chromosomes or sex characteristics are neither exclusively male or female
Human sexual dimorphism
The extent to which physical differences define distinctions between sexes

5. Defining Sex and Gender
An ascribed status
One in 2,000 births is “intersexed”
A person whose chromosomes or sex characteristics are neither exclusively male or female
Human sexual dimorphism
The extent to which physical differences define distinctions between sexes

6. In-Class Exercise
Male Characteristics
Female Characteristics

7. Nature and Nurture: Approaches to Gender Identity
The roles and traits a social group assigns to a particular gender
Essentialist
Gender roles have a genetic or biological origin
Therefore cannot be changed
Constructionist
Gender is socially determined
Dichotomy is just one possibility among many

8. Defining Sex and Gender
Traits that a group considers normal for males and females
Concepts of masculinity and femininity
Culturally learned characteristics
Natural differences are slight Social differences are great
Gender across cultures
Berdache and Hijra
“Two Spirit People”

9. Gender Role Socialization
Lifelong process of learning to be masculine or feminine
Primarily through agents of socialization
Family
Schools
Peers
The Media

10. Video Presentation:

11. “Killing Us Softly 4: Advertising’s Image of Women”
What did you learn that you didn’t know or realize before?
What shocked, surprised or upset you?
What cheered you up or encouraged you?

12. Gender Inequality Stratification system dividing people worldwide
A feature that societies use to control members
Partiarchy—a male dominated society
Females are a minority group
Larger % of population
Denied equal access to social rewards
Sexism is widespread

13. Hourly Earnings for Men and Women by Education Level, 1973–2005
The Real World: An Introduction to Sociology, 2nd Edition
Copyright © W.W. Norton & Company

14. Female-to-Male Earnings Ratio, 1960–2007 (Figure 10.2)
The Real World: An Introduction to Sociology, 2nd Edition
Copyright © W.W. Norton & Company

15. Gender Inequality: Theoretical Perspectives
Functionalism
Gender differences are functional for society
“Biology is destiny”
Instrumental and expressive roles
Conflict Theory
Inequality benefits dominant group
Oppression and exploitation of minority group
Symbolic Interactionism
Gender role socialization
Learned through interactions

16. Theory in Everyday Life

17. Sex, Gender and Life Chances
Health
Marriage and Divorce
The Family
Crime
Education
Work
Income and Poverty
The Military

18. The Women’s Movement Three “waves” of feminism
“Biology IS NOT destiny”
Has feminism become a “dirty word”?

19. Equal Rights for Women What do you believe?
Do you condemn gender discrimination?
Do you have any political or philosophical commitment to challenging sexism?
Would you join others to promote social change?
Do you agree with the following statement?
“Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”

20. The Men’s Movement Men’s Liberation Men’s Rights
Million Man March
Pro-Feminist Men’s Movement

21. Sexual Orientation
A Sexual Continuum?
The Kinsey Scale