Key Concepts in Gender and Sexuality

Study Notes

Key Concepts in Gender and Sexuality

Biological Determinism: The belief that behavioral differences between men and women are primarily due to biological factors.
Sexual Orientation: Refers to an individual's emotional and sexual attraction towards a particular sex.
Gender Identity: A personal perception of one's gender; exemplified by a child's strong identification with their assigned gender, affecting their choice in clothing and play.
Doing Gender: A sociological concept where individuals enact roles and behaviors based on societal gender expectations, reinforcing those roles through daily actions.
Sexism: A form of discrimination, illustrated by a scenario where Peggy is assigned to gender-stereotyped job tasks, demonstrating unequal treatment based on gender.
Gender in Traditional Society: In American culture, traditional roles allocate domestic responsibilities to women and economic responsibilities to men, highlighting the societal constructs of gender.
Sexuality: Defined as an individual's capacity for sexual feelings, encompassing a broader understanding of personal identity.
Queer Theory: A theoretical framework aimed at challenging societal norms regarding sex, gender, and sexuality, promoting diverse representations and experiences.
Sex: Refers to the biological classification of a person as male or female, typically determined at birth based on physical and genetic traits.
Gender Roles: Societal expectations related to behaviors, attitudes, and activities associated with being male or female, shaped significantly by the types of toys and socialization experiences children receive.

Description

Explore fundamental ideas around gender and sexuality, including biological determinism, sexual orientation, and gender identity. This quiz examines how societal expectations shape individual behavior and the implications of sexism in contemporary society.