Sociology of Gender and Sexuality

Gender and Sexuality as Social Reality

• Gender and sexuality are socially constructed and influenced by cultural, historical, and institutional factors
• Gender roles and norms vary across cultures and change over time
• Sexuality is shaped by social and cultural norms, laws, and policies

Sexual Orientation

• Sexual orientation refers to an individual's emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction to others
• Categories of sexual orientation:
  • Heterosexuality (attraction to the opposite gender)
  • Homosexuality (attraction to the same gender)
  • Bisexuality (attraction to both genders)
  • Asexuality (lack of attraction to any gender)
  • Pansexuality (attraction to people regardless of gender)
  • Queer (non-heterosexual orientation, umbrella term)
• Sexual orientation is a complex phenomenon influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors

Gender Identity and Expression

• Gender identity: an individual's internal sense of being male, female, or non-binary
• Gender expression: the external manifestation of gender identity through behavior, appearance, and characteristics
• Gender identity and expression can differ from the sex assigned at birth
• Gender non-conformity: when an individual's gender identity or expression does not conform to traditional gender norms

Biomedical Perspective in Gender and Sexuality

• Biological factors influencing gender and sexuality:
  • Hormones (e.g., testosterone, estrogen) and brain structure
  • Genetic and epigenetic factors
  • Prenatal and perinatal influences
• Biomedical perspective focuses on the biological basis of gender and sexuality, often emphasizing the role of genetics and hormones

Psychosocial Perspective in Gender and Sexuality

• Psychological and social factors influencing gender and sexuality:
  • Social learning and cultural norms
  • Parental and peer influences
  • Cognitive and emotional development
• Psychosocial perspective emphasizes the role of environment, socialization, and personal experiences in shaping gender and sexuality

Note: These notes aim to provide a concise overview of the topics, focusing on key concepts and definitions. For a more in-depth understanding, it is recommended to consult additional resources and academic literature.

Gender and Sexuality as Social Reality

• Gender and sexuality are shaped by cultural, historical, and institutional factors, and are not fixed or innate
• Gender roles and norms vary across cultures and change over time, demonstrating their social construction

Sexual Orientation

• Sexual orientation is an individual's emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction to others, and is a complex phenomenon
• Categories of sexual orientation include:
  • Heterosexuality: attraction to the opposite gender
  • Homosexuality: attraction to the same gender
  • Bisexuality: attraction to both genders
  • Asexuality: lack of attraction to any gender
  • Pansexuality: attraction to people regardless of gender
  • Queer: a non-heterosexual orientation, often used as an umbrella term
• Biological, psychological, and social factors influence sexual orientation

Gender Identity and Expression

• Gender identity is an individual's internal sense of being male, female, or non-binary
• Gender expression is the external manifestation of gender identity through behavior, appearance, and characteristics
• Gender identity and expression can differ from the sex assigned at birth
• Gender non-conformity occurs when an individual's gender identity or expression does not conform to traditional gender norms

Biomedical Perspective in Gender and Sexuality

• Biological factors influencing gender and sexuality include:
  • Hormones (e.g., testosterone, estrogen) and brain structure
  • Genetic and epigenetic factors
  • Prenatal and perinatal influences
• The biomedical perspective focuses on the biological basis of gender and sexuality, often emphasizing the role of genetics and hormones

Psychosocial Perspective in Gender and Sexuality

• Psychological and social factors influencing gender and sexuality include:
  • Social learning and cultural norms
  • Parental and peer influences
  • Cognitive and emotional development
• The psychosocial perspective emphasizes the role of environment, socialization, and personal experiences in shaping gender and sexuality