Gender and Society: Understanding Sex

Study Notes

Sex and Gender Characteristics

Sex: Biological differences between men and women based on genitalia, chromosomes, and hormonal profiles.
Primary sex characteristics include the reproductive system; secondary sex characteristics encompass traits like height and muscularity.
Examples of Sex Characteristics include:
- Men do not menstruate; women do.
- Men possess testicles; women do not.
- Women have developed breasts for lactation; men do not.
- Men generally have larger bones compared to women.
- Men are more prone to baldness than women.

Gender and Society

Gender: Socially constructed roles and characteristics associated with being a man, woman, girl, or boy.
According to WHO, gender consists of norms, roles, and relationships between groups of women and men.
Gender biased practices are expectations placed on boys and girls:
- Boys are encouraged to be tough and emulate their fathers.
- Girls are expected to learn domestic skills from their mothers.
- Boys often engage in physical outdoor games like basketball.
- Girls are typically associated with indoor games and less physically demanding activities.

The Role of Society in Gender

Societies establish norms and expectations regarding gender, which are learned throughout life via family, education, and media.

Sexual Orientation

Definition: A person's emotional, physical, and sexual attraction to a particular sex (male and/or female).
Categories of Sexual Orientation include:
- Heterosexuality: Attraction to the opposite sex.
- Homosexuality: Attraction to one’s own sex.
- Bisexuality: Attraction to either sex.
- Asexuality: Lack of sexual attraction or desire.
- Pansexuality: Attraction regardless of sex or gender identity.

Sexuality

Refers to the capacity for sexual feelings and attraction towards a specific sex.

Gender Equality and Equity

Gender Equality: Ensures women have the same opportunities as men, including public participation. Lack of discrimination based on sex is key to equality.
Gender Equity: Recognizes different needs and interests of genders and aims for fair distribution of benefits and responsibilities.
Example of practicing gender equity: Parents assigning chores equally among children of all genders, fostering future responsibility.

Gender Roles and Stereotypes

Gender Roles: Learned behaviors defining acceptable tasks and responsibilities for males and females in society.
Gender Stereotypes: Fixed beliefs about typical behaviors of a person based on biological sex.
- Women often associated with "clean jobs" (e.g., teaching or secretarial work).
- Men typically associated with "dirty jobs" (e.g., mechanics or construction).

Gender Awareness and Sensitivity

Gender Awareness: Understanding socially determined differences based on learned behaviors, affecting resource access and control.
Gender Identity: A person's internal sense of being a woman, man, both, or neither, often aligning with biological sex.
Gender Sensitivity: Ability to recognize and address existing gender inequalities, integrating this awareness into actions.
Gender-Blindness: A failure to recognize or address gender differences and issues.

Description

This quiz explores the concept of sex in the context of gender and society. It discusses the biological and physiological differences between men and women, including various sex characteristics. Test your knowledge on key terms and examples related to sex and its significance in society.