Sex and Gender Studies

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Questions and Answers

What is a primary consequence of socializing men to be unemotional and violent?

Increased emotional intelligence

Heightened sexual aggression towards women (correct)

Greater collaboration in emotional expression

Reduction in sexual harassment

According to conflict theory, why did male domination become more pronounced?

Out of a necessity for emotional expression

As a result of women's increased workforce participation

Because societies were worried about inheritance (correct)

Due to the rise of the nuclear family

What concept describes the act of men and boys showing only traits deemed acceptable by society?

Operational conditioning

Cultural masculinity

Emotional suppression

Tough guise (correct)

How does symbolic interactionism explain the teaching of gender roles?

By using rewards and punishments Signup and view all the answers

What role do men typically play in the functionalist theory of gender roles?

Instrumental roles aimed at providing and protecting Signup and view all the answers

What characteristics define 'sex' as described in the content?

Biologically rooted attributes distinguishing male and female Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes 'hegemonic masculinity'?

The ideal version of masculinity that men strive for Signup and view all the answers

How is 'emphasized femininity' characterized?

By women's supportiveness and sexual attractiveness Signup and view all the answers

What significant change regarding beauty standards for women was noted from the 1950s to the 1980s?

Shift from curvy to thin ideal Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of gender roles is emphasized in the content?

They are socially learned patterns of behavior Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'cisgender' refer to?

A person whose gender identity corresponds to their sex assigned at birth Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements accurately describes intersex individuals?

They are born with variations in sex characteristics that do not fit typical binary definitions. Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates transgender individuals from transvestites?

Transgender individuals undergo sex reassignment surgery. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes non-binary individuals?

Their gender cannot be defined within the traditional gender binary. Signup and view all the answers

What is a misconception about transvestites?

They identify with the opposite gender permanently. Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the double burden of work and housework that women often experience?

Second shift Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the 'glass ceiling'?

A barrier to promotion faced by women in male-dominated fields Signup and view all the answers

How does the ideology of gender typically view feminine traits?

As negative and less valued Signup and view all the answers

In education, what type of bias do girls typically face from teachers?

Receiving less interaction than boys Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'toxic masculinity'?

Harmful attitudes and behaviors primarily associated with hegemonic masculinity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately reflects the concept of 'pink ghettos'?

Jobs where women dominate but face lower wages and precarious work Signup and view all the answers

How do media representations typically reinforce gender divisions?

Through portraying men and women in traditional gender stereotypes Signup and view all the answers

How are modern depictions in literature often compared to classic Disney themes?

They mirror themes of dependency and rescue. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of two-spirit individuals in indigenous communities?

They fulfill traditional non-conforming roles. Signup and view all the answers

How do families typically contribute to gender expectations from birth?

Parents often discipline sons more than daughters. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'gendered division of labor' refer to?

The fact that women often have jobs that pay less and offer fewer benefits. Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of patriarchy imply about the social structure?

Men hold power while women are marginalized. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about performing drag is true?

Drag involves dressing as a gender different from one’s assigned sex at birth. Signup and view all the answers

How is gender stratification best defined?

A hierarchical categorization based on gender roles and expectations. Signup and view all the answers

What might hinder some non-binary individuals from engaging with trans communities?

Lack of acceptance within these communities. Signup and view all the answers

What is one common misconception about masculinity and femininity in societal views?

Femininity traits are considered less important than masculinity. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sex and Gender

Sex is biologically rooted, describing physical bodies distinguishing between male and female. Categorized as binaries, implying opposite "sexes".
Gender is socially constructed, characterizing behaviors associated with girls/boys, women/men. It suggests a binary opposition, where people fit into mutually exclusive groups (male/female).
Gender roles are learned behaviors societies expect from men and women.

Masculinity and Femininity

Hegemonic masculinity: an ideal of masculinity men strive to achieve, requiring success, capability, and reliability. Often tied to heterosexuality.
Emphasized femininity: based on women's compliance with subordination to men, demanding support, enthusiasm, and sexual attractiveness.

Problematizing the Binary Construction of Sex and Gender

Intersex: people born with variations in sex characteristics from the standard male/female categories. One in every 2000 births deviates from "standard" male or female.
Transgender: an umbrella term for those who do not fit into normative sex/gender constructions.
Non-binary: individuals whose gender identity cannot be categorized within male/female binaries.
Doing drag: a stylistic performance where individuals dress as a different gender than assigned at birth.

Two-Spirit

Indigenous North American term describing individuals who fulfill non-conforming roles; viewed as a gift.

Reproducing Gender: The Family

Gender expectations begin at birth; child-rearing practices are deeply gendered.
Parents spend more time talking to girls, leaving boys alone; punish sons more than daughters.
Gender divides household labor.

Reproducing Gender: Education

Hidden curriculum: girls are not as important as boys, teachers interact more with boys.
Intellectual praise of girls centered on neatness and congeniality.

Reproducing Gender: The Media

Gender divisions are reflected and reinforced in various media (music videos, commercials).
Women are often portrayed as objects or needing a male savior.

Modern Day Disney

Disney princesses are often presented as weak, needing rescue by a male figure.

The Ideology of Gender

Belief that gender is a binary and includes "natural" differences between men/women.
This can lead to valuing masculine traits over feminine traits.

Toxic Masculinity

Harmful attitudes/behaviors in men due to hegemonic masculinity.
Consequences include emotional repression, violence, and sexual aggression. Men are often discouraged from expressing vulnerability.

Sociological Approaches to Gender

Functionalist theory: focuses on how gender roles are defined to uphold social stability.
Conflict theory: analyzes how gender influences access to resources and power within society; how the male/female binary promotes social inequality.
Symbolic Interactionism: examines how individuals interact to create and reinforce gender roles through daily behaviors, practices, and interactions.

Addition Notes

Patricia Hill Collins' concept of the matrix of domination: highlights how race, ethnicity, class, and disability intersect with gender to create complex inequality experiences.

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Description

This quiz explores the distinctions between sex and gender, including their biological and social frameworks. It delves into theories of masculinity and femininity and the complexities surrounding the binary understanding of sex and gender. Test your knowledge on these crucial topics in understanding human identities.