Gender and Society Midterm Exam Reviewer: Quiz and Flashcards

Study Notes

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 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 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 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

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

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