Chapter 10: Gender and Sexuality

Question 1

What challenges do people face when defying traditional gender expectations?

Answer 1

Individuals like a male preschool teacher and a female tech worker may encounter skepticism and lack of support.

Question 2

How is biological sex defined?

Answer 2

It is the biological concept based on chromosomes and reproductive organs that categorizes individuals as female or male.

Question 3

What does being intersex mean?

Answer 3

Intersex individuals do not fit neatly into the male/female binary due to atypical chromosomal patterns or reproductive organ development.

Question 4

What is sexual orientation?

Answer 4

It refers to a person’s physical, emotional, and sexual attraction to a particular sex.

Question 5

What are the main categories of sexual orientation?

Answer 5

Heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, pansexuality, and asexuality.

Question 6

Why is it difficult to quantify sexual orientation in the population?

Answer 6

Categories can be vague and measuring them through surveys can be unreliable.

Question 7

What percentage of Americans over 18 identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender?

Answer 7

Approximately 5.6%, with higher rates among younger adults.

Question 8

What is gender as a social construct?

Answer 8

Gender refers to the societal expectations and cultural differences assigned to behaviors and traits based on one’s biological sex.

Question 9

Define gender roles.

Answer 9

Societal expectations regarding behaviors and attitudes based on whether someone identifies as male or female.

Question 10

What does gender identity mean?

Answer 10

It refers to an individual’s personal sense of their own gender, which may or may not align with their biological sex.

Question 11

Describe gender expression.

Answer 11

It encompasses the external presentation of one’s gender, including clothing, behavior, and mannerisms.

Question 12

What is androgynous gender expression?

Answer 12

A blend of both masculine and feminine traits in one’s gender presentation.

Question 13

Explain the gender binary.

Answer 13

The classification of gender into two distinct, opposite forms: male and female.

Question 14

What is cisgender?

Answer 14

A person whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth.

Question 15

Define transgender.

Answer 15

Individuals whose gender identity or expression differs from the sex assigned to them at birth.

Question 16

What are biological explanations for gender roles?

Answer 16

Theories suggesting that gender differences stem from biological factors, like early human survival roles or hormone levels.

Question 17

What cultural explanations challenge biological views of gender?

Answer 17

Studies showing significant variation in gender roles across cultures, emphasizing that gender roles are socially constructed.

Question 18

How does socialization influence gender?

Answer 18

Family, peers, schools, mass media, and religion all play roles in reinforcing traditional gender norms and expectations.

Question 19

What is male privilege?

Answer 19

The unearned advantages that men receive in a patriarchal society, such as reduced fear of sexual assault and greater workplace opportunities.

Question 20

What is toxic masculinity?

Answer 20

Cultural norms associated with traditional masculinity that can have harmful effects on men and society, like increased violence and emotional suppression.

Question 21

What is gender inequality?

Answer 21

Inequality based on gender that prioritizes the male experience, resulting from cultural values and gender socialization.

Question 22

What is heterosexism?

Answer 22

Inequality arising from heterosexuality being viewed as the only normal or preferred sexual orientation.

Question 23

How are girls treated in education compared to boys?

Answer 23

Girls are often undervalued and underestimated, especially in subjects like math, where teachers may perceive boys as more capable despite similar scores.

Question 24

What issue do women face in higher education regarding majors?

Answer 24

Women often choose majors based on perceived fit rather than ability, and those in male-dominated fields face scrutiny.

Question 25

What disparities exist in healthcare between genders?

Answer 25

Women and men receive different care for the same symptoms, leading to higher mortality rates for women from conditions like cardiovascular disease.

Question 26

What is the pay gap between men and women in the workplace?

Answer 26

As of 2019, women earned approximately 82% of what men earned, regardless of education level.

Question 27

What is occupational sex segregation?

Answer 27

The phenomenon where women are either underrepresented or overrepresented in certain occupations compared to men, contributing to the pay gap.

Question 28

What is comparable worth?

Answer 28

The concept that men and women should be compensated equally for work of equivalent skill and responsibility.

Question 29

Describe the glass ceiling and glass escalator phenomena.

Answer 29

The glass ceiling refers to barriers that prevent women from advancing in their careers, while the glass escalator describes how men often advance more easily in female-dominated fields.

Question 30

What is the feminization of poverty?

Answer 30

A trend where women, especially those heading households, experience higher rates of poverty compared to men.

Question 31

What constitutes sexual harassment?

Answer 31

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or conduct that creates a hostile work environment, predominantly affecting women.

Question 32

What is the triple burden faced by women of color?

Answer 32

The combined impact of gender, race, and social class inequalities, which often places them at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder.

Question 33

How has LGBTQ+ inequality manifested in the criminal justice system?

Answer 33

Historically, laws were primarily aimed at gay men, allowing for police harassment and violence against the LGBTQ+ community.

Question 34

What issues does the LGBTQ+ community face in housing?

Answer 34

Members often encounter uneven policies that lead to discrimination, evictions, or denial of housing.

Question 35

What historical change occurred regarding homosexuality in the DSM?

Answer 35

Homosexuality was removed as a mental illness in 1973, but bias against LGBTQ+ individuals in healthcare persists.

Question 36

What impact does media have on gender and sexuality?

Answer 36

Media often reinforces stereotypes and cultural norms around gender and sexuality, affecting public perception and behavior.

Question 37

What are some factors that perpetuate rape culture?

Answer 37

Cultural beliefs that women enjoy being forced into sex, that they ask for or deserve to be raped, and that men should be sexually assertive.

Question 38

What role does feminism play in addressing gender inequality?

Answer 38

Feminism advocates for equal opportunities for women and men, with several waves focusing on different issues, from voting rights to intersectionality.

Question 39

What is intersectionality in the context of feminism?

Answer 39

The recognition that various forms of discrimination (e.g., gender, race, class) intersect, impacting the experiences of marginalized individuals.

Question 40

What are some current challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ movement?

Answer 40

Ongoing issues include securing rights for transgender individuals in various sectors and combating discrimination in public spaces.