Gender and Society: Social Construction of Gender

• Gender and society explores the social construction of gender, its impact on social structures, and its interplay with other social categories.
• Sexuality encompasses sexual orientation, behavior, and identity, examining how these are shaped by social, cultural, and historical contexts.

Gender as a Social Construct

• Gender is not solely determined by biological sex; societal norms, expectations, and roles largely shape it.
• Gender roles are the behaviors, attitudes, and activities that a society deems appropriate for men and women.
• Gender identity is an individual's internal sense of being male, female, both, or neither, which may or may not align with their assigned sex at birth.
• Socialization is how individuals learn and internalize gender norms, starting from early childhood through family, education, media, and peers.
• Gender stereotypes are oversimplified and often inaccurate beliefs about the characteristics of men and women, reinforcing inequalities.
• Gender inequality refers to the unequal treatment or perceptions of individuals based on their gender and often disadvantages women and gender minorities.
• Patriarchy is a social system in which men hold primary power and predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, and control of property.
• Feminism is a range of social movements, political movements, and ideologies that share a common goal: to define, establish, and achieve political, economic, personal, and social equality of the sexes.
• Intersectionality recognizes that gender intersects with other social categories such as race, class, and sexuality, creating unique experiences of discrimination and privilege.

Impact on Social Structures

• Education: Gender influences access to education, fields of study, and academic achievement, with stereotypes sometimes steering individuals toward certain subjects.
• Work: Gender affects career choices, opportunities for advancement, and pay equity, with women often facing a gender pay gap and underrepresentation in leadership positions.
• Family: Gender shapes roles and responsibilities within the family, including childcare, household labor, and decision-making power.
• Politics: Gender impacts political representation, participation, and leadership, with women historically underrepresented in government and facing barriers to political power.
• Media: Gender is portrayed in media in ways that often reinforce stereotypes and influence perceptions of appropriate behavior and roles.
• Healthcare: Gender affects access to healthcare, treatment, and research, with disparities in areas such as reproductive health and mental health services.
• Law: Gender influences legal rights and protections, including issues such as equal pay, reproductive rights, and protection from discrimination and violence.

Sexuality

• Sexual orientation refers to a person's sexual identity in relation to the gender to which they are attracted; common orientations include heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, and asexual.
• Sexual behavior encompasses a person's sexual activities and practices, which vary widely across individuals and cultures.
• Sexual identity is how one thinks of oneself in terms of to whom one is romantically or sexually attracted, influenced by personal experiences, social norms, and self-understanding.
• Social construction of sexuality: Sexuality is not solely a biological drive but is also shaped by cultural, historical, and social factors that define what is considered normal or acceptable.
• Sexual norms are societal rules and expectations regarding sexual behavior, which vary across cultures and time periods.
• Sexual scripts are patterns of behavior and expectations for how people should behave in sexual situations, often influenced by gender stereotypes and media portrayals.
• Sexual attitudes are beliefs, feelings, and values related to sexuality, which can vary widely and influence behavior and policy.
• Heteronormativity is the belief that heterosexuality is the normal or preferred sexual orientation, often leading to the marginalization or discrimination of non-heterosexual individuals.
• Homophobia is the fear, prejudice, or hatred of people identified or perceived as lesbian, gay, or bisexual.
• Transphobia is the fear, prejudice, or hatred of people identified or perceived as transgender.
• Sexual rights are human rights related to sexuality, including the rights to sexual health, sexual expression, and freedom from sexual violence and discrimination.

Interplay of Gender and Sexuality

• Gender and sexuality are interconnected and influence each other in complex ways.
• Gender identity and sexual orientation are distinct concepts but both contribute to an individual's overall sense of self and social experiences.
• Gender norms often dictate expectations for sexual behavior, influencing how people express their sexuality and the roles they adopt in sexual relationships.
• Sexual stereotypes are preconceived ideas about how people of different genders should behave sexually, reinforcing inequalities and limiting individual expression.
• LGBTQ+ rights movements advocate for the rights and equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals, challenging gender and sexual norms.
• Sexual violence, including rape and sexual harassment, disproportionately affects women and LGBTQ+ individuals, reflecting power imbalances and gender inequalities.
• Sexual health is influenced by both gender and sexuality, with disparities in access to healthcare, prevention efforts, and treatment for sexual health issues.
• Representation in media: The portrayal of different genders and sexualities in media can reinforce or challenge stereotypes, impacting public perceptions and attitudes.
• Intersectionality highlights how gender and sexuality intersect with other social categories, creating unique experiences of discrimination and privilege for individuals with multiple marginalized identities.

Explore how gender is socially constructed and its impact on social structures. Understand gender roles, identity, and the socialization processes that shape gender norms. Learn about gender stereotypes and their effects, with a brief look at gender inequality.