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Questions and Answers
What defines sex according to the text?
What defines sex according to the text?
Which term is used to describe individuals who possess both male and female characteristics?
Which term is used to describe individuals who possess both male and female characteristics?
What does gender refer to according to the text?
What does gender refer to according to the text?
Can gender roles be changed over time according to the text?
Can gender roles be changed over time according to the text?
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Which statement best describes the relationship between sex and gender?
Which statement best describes the relationship between sex and gender?
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In what way do gender roles vary according to the text?
In what way do gender roles vary according to the text?
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What is the term used in the social sciences and humanities to denote a set of behavioral norms associated with a given gendered status in a given social group or system?
What is the term used in the social sciences and humanities to denote a set of behavioral norms associated with a given gendered status in a given social group or system?
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Which of the following examples falls under an atypical gender role as described in the text?
Which of the following examples falls under an atypical gender role as described in the text?
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What are social norms defining acceptable and appropriate actions for women and men in a given group or society called?
What are social norms defining acceptable and appropriate actions for women and men in a given group or society called?
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Which term refers to the rank or standing of an individual in a group based on the type of job they hold?
Which term refers to the rank or standing of an individual in a group based on the type of job they hold?
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What is the expected behavior of a person based on their social status or position in a social system defined as?
What is the expected behavior of a person based on their social status or position in a social system defined as?
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'Role conflict' occurs when:
'Role conflict' occurs when:
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Study Notes
Sex and Gender
- Sex refers to the anatomy and biology that determines whether one is male, female, or intersexed (formerly called hermaphroditic)
- Biological characteristics (including genetics, anatomy, and physiology) generally define humans as female or male
- Note that these biological characteristics are not mutually exclusive; individuals can possess both male and female characteristics
Gender
- Gender refers to the set of qualities, differentiated roles or responsibilities, attitudes, and values assigned by culture and society to women and men
- A socially constructed set of roles and responsibilities associated with being a girl or boy, woman or man, and in some cultures, a third or other gender
Gender Roles
- Gender roles are the expected behaviors and attitudes associated with being a man or a woman in a particular society or culture
- Gender roles vary greatly in different societies, cultures, and historical periods, and depend on socio-economic factors, age, education, ethnicity, and religion
- Examples of gender roles:
- Traditional male role: economic provider of the family
- Traditional female role: caregiver
- Note: these roles can be changed over time and are not static
Atypical Gender Roles
- Atypical gender roles refer to individuals who exhibit behaviors or attitudes that do not conform to traditional gender norms
- Examples of atypical gender roles:
- Househusbands: men who stay at home and take care of the house and children while their partner goes to work
- Metrosexuals: men of any sexual orientation who have an interest in style and fashion and dress well
- Androgynous people: individuals who identify as neither male nor female; or present a mixed or neutral gender
- Cross-dressers: individuals who dress in the clothing and approximate the appearance of members of the opposite sex, in public or solely in private
Roles and Status
- A role is the expected behavior of a person occupying a particular social status or position in a social system
- Roles differ from culture to culture
- Status refers to one's rank or standing in a group based on the kind of job they hold
- Norms refer to rules and standards of behavior that come from a group or society
Role Set and Role Conflict
- A role set or role cluster refers to an array of roles that any one person plays, which may be occurring at any particular time
- Role complimentary or reciprocity refers to the paired role positions, such as parent-child or husband and wife, which require reciprocity of expectations between role partners to enjoy stability and integration
- Role conflict occurs when there are conflicting expectations or demands between different roles played by an individual
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Description
Prepare for your midterm exam on the topics of sex and gender in society. Explore the anatomy, biology, and cultural roles assigned to different genders.
