Gender and Society Overview

Study Notes

Sex is a biological distinction between two categories of individuals: male and female.
Gender is a social and cultural construct that defines the roles, behaviors, and expectations associated with being male or female.
Gendered biases include sexism, the gender pay gap, and underrepresentation in certain fields.
Gender identity refers to an individual's sense of themselves as male, female, or other.
Sexual orientation describes an individual's emotional and sexual attraction towards others.
Sex roles are patterns of behavior and attitudes associated with being male or female.

The Genderbread Person illustrates the distinct components of gender: identity, attraction, sex, and expression.
It demonstrates that these aspects are separate and can vary independently.

Society is composed of members, culture, history, a social system, territory, a sense of identity and belongingness, and language.

The biological male is a male.
The biological female is a female.
The biological male has external genitalia: the penis, scrotum, and testicles.
The biological male has internal reproductive organs, including the seminal vesicle, prostate gland, and urethra.
The biological female has external genitalia: the prepuce, labia minora, labia majora, Bartholin glands, clitoris, urethra, vaginal introitus, perineum, and anus.
The biological female has internal reproductive structures: ovaries, cervix, vagina, fallopian tubes, and uterus.
Puberty is the stage when individuals become sexually mature and develop adult sexual features.
Changes during puberty vary for males and females.
Male secondary sex characteristics include facial and chest hair, vocal changes, increased body hair, a pelvic build, an upper body muscular build, and faster muscle mass development.
Female secondary sex characteristics include breast development, widening of the hips, and an increase in body fat.
The Menstrual Cycle is a recurring series of hormonal changes and physical processes that prepare a woman's body for potential pregnancy.
The Menstrual Cycle has four stages.

Hormonal imbalances can occur due to aging, obesity, stress, injuries, substance abuse, nutrition, and environmental factors.
Maintaining balanced hormones can be achieved through regular exercise, adequate sleep, a healthy diet, stress management, limiting alcohol, and avoiding substance abuse.