Core Gender

Question 1

Biological sex

rmbr this?

Answer 1

Based on biological facts like genitals and chromosomes. Typically viewed as male or female.

Question 2

Gender

Answer 2

The cultural meanings and roles associated with masculinity and femininity. Viewed as socially constructed rather than purely biological

Question 3

Darwinist view of gender

IMPORTANT

Answer 3

Gender roles and traits like competitiveness or nurturing have an evolutionary, biological basis

Typical gender roles are “natural” and rooted in biological differences between sexes

Used to justify gender inequalities like men having more power/opportunities

Question 4

Feminist view (de Beauvoir)

Answer 4

Gender is a “historical and cultural artifact”, not biologically determined

Critiques focusing only on biology while ignoring the meanings and narratives around gender

“One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman”

Question 5

How are gender narratives constructed?

Answer 5

Through language and the connotations/associations of words

Through the way we live and societal norms/expectations
Gender narratives can be reclaimed and changed over time

Question 6

Key disagreement between Darwinists and Feminists

Pre much ur argument x

Answer 6

Darwinists argue biology is deterministic of gender roles/traits

Feminists argue biology is descriptive, not prescriptive - it doesn’t dictate how we should behave

Feminists see gender as socially constructed meanings to be critiqued and changed

Question 7

Feminist critique of Darwinist view

Answer 7

Focuses too heavily on biological determinism, ignoring social/cultural influences on gender

Assumes gender traits/roles are “natural” based on shaky evolutionary psychology arguments

Risks justifying existing gender inequalities as biologically inevitable

Question 8

Darwinist critique of feminist view

Answer 8

Dismisses biological factors too quickly by framing gender as purely a social construct

Ignores potential evolutionary roots of psychological differences between sexes

Risks denying any inborn tendencies and treating gender as a blank slate

Question 9

Feminist response to critique

Answer 9

Acknowledges biology and evolution shape human behavior to some degree

But rejects using biology alone to define or restrict gender roles/expression

Emphasizes societal narratives can evolve beyond perceived biological constraints

Question 10

some stuff to note

Answer 10

How much weight to give biological factors vs. social/cultural influences in shaping gender

Whether biological tendencies necessarily dictate restrictive gender roles and inequalities