Gender and Society

Gender and Society

Definition of Gender

• Gender refers to the social, cultural, and psychological aspects of being male or female
• Different from biological sex, which refers to the physical characteristics that define males and females

Gender Roles

• Gender roles are the expectations and responsibilities associated with being male or female in a particular society
• Gender roles are shaped by cultural, social, and historical factors
• Examples of gender roles:
  • Traditional masculine roles: breadwinner, protector, strong
  • Traditional feminine roles: caregiver, nurturer, emotional

Gender Inequality

• Gender inequality refers to the unequal distribution of power, resources, and opportunities between men and women
• Examples of gender inequality:
  • Wage gap: women earn less than men for the same work
  • Limited access to education and job opportunities for women
  • Gender-based violence and discrimination

Gender Socialization

• Gender socialization is the process by which individuals learn and internalize gender roles and expectations
• Gender socialization occurs through:
  • Family and upbringing
  • Education and media
  • Peer relationships and cultural norms

Intersectionality

• Intersectionality is the understanding that gender intersects with other social categories, such as race, class, and sexuality, to produce unique experiences of discrimination and oppression
• Examples of intersectionality:
  • Black women facing both racism and sexism
  • LGBTQ+ individuals facing discrimination based on their sexual orientation and gender identity

Gender and Power

• Gender is closely tied to power and privilege in society
• Men have historically held more power and privilege than women, leading to gender inequality
• Examples of gender and power:
  • Patriarchy: a system of social organization in which men hold power and women are subordinate
  • Gendered violence: men are more likely to be perpetrators of violence, while women are more likely to be victims

Gender and Society

Definition of Gender

• Gender is a social construct that encompasses cultural, social, and psychological aspects of being male or female.
• It is distinct from biological sex, which refers to physical characteristics that define males and females.

Gender Roles

• Gender roles are societal expectations and responsibilities associated with being male or female.
• These roles are shaped by cultural, social, and historical factors, and influence individual behavior and identity.
• Traditional gender roles include:
  • Masculine roles: breadwinner, protector, strong, and aggressive.
  • Feminine roles: caregiver, nurturer, emotional, and submissive.

Gender Inequality

• Gender inequality refers to the unequal distribution of power, resources, and opportunities between men and women.
• Examples of gender inequality include:
  • Wage gap: women earn 79 cents for every dollar earned by men.
  • Limited access to education and job opportunities for women.
  • Gender-based violence, discrimination, and marginalization.

Gender Socialization

• Gender socialization is the process by which individuals learn and internalize gender roles and expectations.
• This process occurs through:
  • Family and upbringing: parents and caregivers teaching gender roles.
  • Education and media: learning gender stereotypes from school and media.
  • Peer relationships and cultural norms: peer pressure and societal expectations influencing behavior.

Intersectionality

• Intersectionality recognizes that gender intersects with other social categories, such as race, class, and sexuality.
• This intersection produces unique experiences of discrimination and oppression, including:
  • Black women facing both racism and sexism.
  • LGBTQ+ individuals facing discrimination based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.

Gender and Power

• Gender is closely tied to power and privilege in society.
• Men have historically held more power and privilege, leading to gender inequality.
• Examples of gender and power include:
  • Patriarchy: a system of social organization in which men hold power and women are subordinate.
  • Gendered violence: men are more likely to be perpetrators of violence, while women are more likely to be victims.

Learn about the definition of gender, gender roles, and their impact on society. Discover how social, cultural, and historical factors shape gender expectations.