Chapter 9: Contructing Gender and Sexuality

Question 1

Sex

Answer 1

an individual’s membership in one of two categories — male or female — based on biological factors

Question 2

Primary Sex Characteristics

Answer 2

biological factors that distinguish males from females

(i.e. chromosomes, hormones, and reproductive organs)

Question 3

Secondary Sex Characteristics

Answer 3

physical differences between males and females that are unrelated to reproduction

(i.e. facial and body hair, musculature, and bone structure)

Question 4

Intersex

Answer 4

used to describe a person whose chromosomes or sex characteristics are neither exclusively male nor exclusively female

Question 5

Gender

Answer 5

the physical, behavioral, and personality traits that a group considers normal for its male and female members

(i.e. some societies expect men to be more aggressive and competitive and women to be more emotional and nurturing)

Question 6

Essentialists

Answer 6

those who believe gender roles have a genetic or biological origin and therefore cannot be changed

Question 7

Gender Binary

Answer 7

a system of classification with only two distinct and opposite gender categories

(i.e. you’re either male or female from birth to death, and there are no other options)

Question 8

Constructionists

Answer 8

those who believe that notions of gender are socially determined, such that a binary system is just one possibility among many

(i.e. the meaning of masculinity and femininity may differ drastically in different societies and historical periods)

Question 9

Gender Identity

Answer 9

an individual’s self-definition or sense of gender

(i.e. female gender identity)

Question 10

Cisgender

Answer 10

term used when gender identity and/or expression aligns with the sex assigned at birth

(i.e. sex and gender correspond)

Question 11

Transgender

Answer 11

term used when gender identity and/or expression is different from the sex assigned at birth

(i.e. Caitlyn Jenner)

Question 12

Gender Expression

Answer 12

an individual’s behavioral manifestations of gender

(i.e. “masculine” or “feminine” clothing, grooming, behavior, body language, gestures, and even names)

Question 13

Gender Nonconforming

Answer 13

term used when gender identity and/or expression differs from societal expectation about gender roles

(i.e. Transgender and nonbinary people)

Question 14

Non-binary

Answer 14

individuals who do not identify as exclusively men or women or who identify as both, somewhere in between, or outside of such categories altogether

(i.e. genderqueer, gender fluid, and bigender)

Question 15

Sexuality

Answer 15

the character or quality of being sexual

(i.e. sexual orientation or identity)

Question 16

Sexual Orientation/Identity

Answer 16

the inclination to feel sexual desire toward people of particular gender

(i.e. homosexuality, bisexuality, asexuality, etc.)

Question 17

Heterosexuality

Answer 17

sexual attraction toward members of the other gender

(i.e. straight)

Question 18

Homosexuality

Answer 18

sexual attraction toward members of one’s own gender

(i.e. gay or lesbian)

Question 19

Bisexuality

Answer 19

sexual attraction toward members of both genders

Question 20

Asexuality

Answer 20

the lack of sexual attraction of any kind; no interest in or desire for sex

Question 21

Queer Theory

Answer 21

social theory about gender and sexual identity; emphasizes the importance of differences and rejects ideas of innate identities or restrictive categories

Question 22

Gender Role Socialization

Answer 22

the lifelong process of learning to be masculine or feminine, primarily through agents of socialization

Question 23

Heteronormativity

Answer 23

the belief that heterosexuality is and should be the norm

Question 24

Social Learning

Answer 24

the process of learning behaviors and meaning through social interaction

(i.e. observation, imitation, and play)

Question 25

Patriarchy

Answer 25

literally meaning “rule of the father”; a male-dominated society

(i.e. the Vanatinai)

Question 26

Privilege

Answer 26

unearned advantage accorded to members of dominant social groups

(i.e. males, whites, people who are physically able or heterosexual, etc.)

Question 27

Sexism

Answer 27

the belief that one sex. usually male, is superior to the other

(i.e. misogyny)

Question 28

Misogyny

Answer 28

an ingrained prejudice against women; dislike, contempt, or hatred of women

Question 29

Misogynoir

Answer 29

unique form of anti-Black sexism that Black women experience

Question 30

Homophobia

Answer 30

fear of or discrimination toward gay, lesbian, and bisexual people

(i.e. being denied service because for being gay or lesbian)

Question 31

Transphobia

Answer 31

fear of or discrimination toward transgender or other gender-nonconforming people

(i.e. being harassed in a bathroom for being transgender)

Question 32

Heterosexism

Answer 32

belief in the superiority of heterosexuality and heterosexuals

Question 33

Cisgenderism

Answer 33

belief in the superiority of ci gender persons and identities

Question 34

Coming Out

Answer 34

openly declaring one’s true identity to those who might not be aware of it; a phrase used to describe how LGBTQ persons have felt compelled to keep their sexual orientation or gender identity secret

(i.e. short for “coming out of the closet”)

Question 35

Hegemonic Masculinity

Answer 35

a masculine ideal that promotes characteristics such as independence, aggression, and toughness, and rejects any alternate qualities in men

(i.e. defines a specific standard of manhood to which men must then measure up and prove themselves)

Question 36

Toxic Masculinity

Answer 36

a masculine ideal that espouses extreme and harmful attitudes and behaviors and may lead to various negative effects for women and men

(i.e. suppress any emotions except for anger, and to reject any “feminine” qualities)

Question 37

Rape Culture

Answer 37

a set of beliefs, norms, and values that normalize sexual violence against women

(i.e. behaviors that are celebrated in hookup culture make it difficult to distinguish between a hookup and sexual assault)

Question 38

Microaggressions

Answer 38

everyday uses of subtle verbal and nonverbal communications that convey denigrating or dismissive messages to members of certain social groups

(i.e. women being told to smile)

Question 39

Instrumental Role

Answer 39

the position of the family member who provides material support, often an authority figure

(i.e. breadwinner)

Question 40

Expressive Role

Answer 40

the position of the family member who provides emotional support and nurturing

(i.e. women are considered better suited for caring for the children and stabilizing the personality of te instrumental partner against the stresses)

Question 41

Second Shift

Answer 41

the unpaid housework and child care often expected of women after they complete their day’s paid labor

Question 42

Feminization of Poverty

Answer 42

the economic trend showing that women are more likely than men to live in poverty

(i.e. gender pay gap, the higher proportion of single women taking on the financial responsibility of children, and the increasing cost of child care)

Question 43

Feminism

Answer 43

belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes; also the social movements organized around that belief

Question 44

First Wave

Answer 44

the earliest period of feminist activism, from the
mid-nineteenth century until American women won the right to vote in 1920

Question 45

Suffrage Movement

Answer 45

the movement organized around gaining voting rights for women

(i.e. Susan B. Anthony)

Question 46

Second Wave

Answer 46

the period of feminist activism during the 1960s and 1970s, often associated with the issues of women’s equal access to employment and education

Question 47

Third Wave

Answer 47

the most recent period of feminist activism, focusing on issues of diversity, globalization, and the variety of identities women can possess

(i.e. marginalizing the concerns of women of color, lesbians, and working-class women)

Question 48

Men’s Liberation

Answer 48

a movement that originated in the 1970s to discuss the challenges of masculinity

(i.e. the need to free men from oppressive gender roles)

Question 49

Men’s Rights Movement

Answer 49

an offshoot of men’s liberation whose members believe that feminism promotes discrimination against men

(i.e. incels)

Question 50

Pro-Feminist Men’s Movement

Answer 50

an offshoot of men’s liberation whose members support feminism and believe that sexism harms both men and women

(i.e. men need to share more of the responsibilities of child care)