WGS 100 Midterm Exam Flashcards

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What does it mean to say that gender is a social construct?

Gender being socially constructed means society has made a framework of what male and female roles in and out of the home are supposed to be.

What evidence led scholars to conclude that gender is a social construct?

Scholars looked at women's rights, how women were once treated like property, and how they were portrayed in media.

What are some ways in which power is symbolically linked to masculinity in our society?

Power is linked to masculinity through stereotypes of men being strong, hardworking, and the 'breadwinner' of the family.

What is intersectionality?

Intersectionality describes how multiple forms of identity and oppression interact to create someone's experiences. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to keep intersectionality in mind when studying gender?

It helps in understanding how different races are affected by oppression and privilege in society. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to say that oppression and privilege are opposite sides of the same coin?

For every type of oppression, there is a corresponding set of privileges that exists. Signup and view all the answers

Provide an example of oppression and privilege.

An example is racism (oppression) and white privilege. Signup and view all the answers

What is sex?

The specific biological categories of female and male. Signup and view all the answers

What is intersex?

A general term for conditions where a person is born with reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn't fit typical definitions of female or male. Signup and view all the answers

What is gender?

A social concept referring to the characteristics and behaviors prescribed for a particular sex by society. Signup and view all the answers

What is gender binary?

The notion that gender is determined at birth based on primary sex characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

What is gender identity?

A person's gendered sense of self. Signup and view all the answers

What is gender socialization?

The presentation of self as a kind of gendered person through various markers such as dress and cosmetics. Signup and view all the answers

What is gender expression?

The physical manifestation of one's gender identity through clothing, hairstyle, voice, etc. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to do gender?

The idea that gender is a psychologically ingrained social construct that surfaces in everyday life. Signup and view all the answers

What is gender policing?

Responses to the violation of gender rules aimed at promoting conformity. Signup and view all the answers

What is the gendered double standard?

A standard of behavior for women and men, where the same behavior is judged differently. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Gender roles are defined by societal expectations about what is acceptable behavior for males and females.
Historical context includes the treatment of women as property and their portrayal in media, illustrating the construct of gender.

Power and Masculinity

Power is often associated with traditionally masculine traits such as strength, work ethic, and being the family provider.
Societal expectations create pressure on men to adhere to these stereotypes, affecting those who do not conform to physical ideals.

Intersectionality

Defined as a critical concept in feminist analysis regarding how various identities and oppressions intersect.
Important for studying gender as it considers the diverse experiences of different races and the impact of privilege on societal acceptance.

Oppression and Privilege

Oppression and privilege exist simultaneously, with each form of oppression countered by specific privileges.
Example: Racial oppression (e.g., racism) coexists with white privilege, observable in hiring practices and societal treatment of different races.

Sex: Biological classifications of male and female.
Intersex: Conditions where an individual's sexual anatomy does not fit typical definitions of male or female.
Gender: A socially constructed set of characteristics and behaviors assigned to a specific sex.

Gender Conceptual Frameworks

Gender Binary: The classification of gender strictly based on biological sex at birth, leading to rigid identity expectations.
Gender Identity: An individual's personal sense of their gender.

Gender Socialization and Expression

Gender Socialization: The process through which individuals present themselves as gendered beings through various forms of expression.
Gender Expression: The outward demonstration of gender identity through physical traits and behaviors.

Concepts of Gender in Society

Doing Gender: The idea that gender is an ongoing social construct manifesting in daily interactions and behaviors.
Gender Policing: Social responses aimed at enforcing adherence to gender norms.
Gendered Double Standard: Different behavioral expectations and judgments for women and men based on the same actions.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your understanding of gender as a social construct with these flashcards. Delve into the biological, cultural, and historical evidence that supports the argument of gender roles being shaped by societal influences. This quiz is essential for grasping fundamental concepts in Women's and Gender Studies.

WGS 100 Midterm Exam Flashcards

Choose a study mode

Podcast

Questions and Answers

What does it mean to say that gender is a social construct?

What evidence led scholars to conclude that gender is a social construct?