Gender Flashcards
what is the definition of sex
Biological differences between males and females
what is the definition of gender
cultural expectations which go with how males and females are supposed to act = gender roles
how do feminists see gender
gender as shaped by patriarchy - to keep men in a dominant position
what is gender role socialisation
how individuals learn expectations regarding masculine and feminine identities
what is hegemony
a set of dominant ideas (ideology) which allow the powerful to rule with consent
what is a hegemonic identity
one that is so dominant it makes it difficult for individuals to assert alternate identities
what happens when someone doesnt follow the hegemonic identity
they may be seen as deviant or ridiculed by others
what is gender stereotypes
a generalised view of the typical or ideal characteristics of men and women - Hegemonic identities are often based on gender stereotypes
list some characteristics of hegemonic masculinity
agressive, football, short hair, bread winner, loud, labouring jobs, emotionless, ‘man up’
list some characteristics of hegemonic femininity
makeup, pretty, dependant, wine, heels, housewife, long hair, passive
how many different types of femininity are there
3
what are the three types of feminity
hegemonic femininity
assertive femininity
ladettes
what is hegemonic feminity
women being passive, focusing on appearance, subordinate to men and taking expressive roles
what is the evaluation of hegemonic femininity
stereotype is being replaced by strong independent successful women - contributing to income
what is assertive femininity
women empower themselves, using there sexuality to challenge the idea that women should be passive
what did Blackman find for assertive femininity
found lower middle class and working class New wave girls in secondary school challenged schools male culture
what are ladettes
girls take on laddish behaviour (traditional male behaviour) and rejecting education due to failure
what did jackson find for ladettes
wc girls take on this behaviour and reject the education system due to fear of failure, becoming more violent
how many types of masculinity are there and what are they
6
hegemonic masculinity
laddish masculinity
marginalised masculinity
subordinate masculinity
complicit masculinity
metrosexuality
what is hegemonic masculinity
male supremacy, heterosexuality, agression, repression of emotions
may involve sexist expectations about male and female roles
what is laddish masculinity
Sexual promiscuity, drinking and footbal
Jackson: often adopted due to the fear of academic failure and wanting to fit in
what is marginalised masculinity
applies to men who no longer have masculine jobs due to changes in the economy and therefore feel confused and a sense of loss towards their ideentity
crisis of masculinity - Mac and Ghaill
what is subordinate masculinity
describes masculinity associated with gay men who are viewed as not conforming to the expectations of the dominant hegemonic masculinity
what is complicit masculinity
the new man: adopting a shared role within the family in terms of housework, being more emotional and caring. Men are not necessarily the main breadwinner anymore
what is metrosexuality
Mort: heterosexual men who embrace their feminine side, use cosmetic products and take in fashion
male grooming market has grown by 800% since 1998
what are the four point that show that changes within society have challenged traditional hegemonic ideas of masculinity and femininity- leading to new forms of gender identity
large scale male unemployment
changes in industry
globalisation and consumption
more women within the workplace
how did the change in industry challenge hegemonic ideas of masculine and femininity
de-industrialisation has lead to a decline in manual jobs such as mining which are deemed jobs that suit masculine traits displacing them
public sector, retail sector and financial services where more women are employed have become more important
working women are postponing having children in favour of having a career
how has large scale male unemployment challenge hegemonic ideas of masculine and femininity
Global recession: British economy declining cause large scale unemployment among men undermining that traditional male identity (breadwinner)
this leads to a crisis of masculinity (Mac An Ghaill) as men search for a new identity that fits the modern world
how has more women in the work place challenged hegemonic ideas of masculine and femininity
more women in the work place means more role models for girls
led to a gender quake (Wilkinson) - radical change in feminine identity
Sharpe 1990s survey - girls priorities had drastically changed, careers and independence are now more important
how has globalisation and consumption challenged hegemonic ideas of masculine and femininity
Postmodernists: globalisation has led to a greater choice in terms of gender roles
womens increased economic dependence - seen as important consumers by media. Leisure activities and consumption are the most significant ways in which masculine and feminine identities are made
what are the 8 things that has lead to a crisis in masculinity
decline in importance of male breadwinner
declining power and influence in society
rising equality
decline of marriage and parenthood
underachievement in education
rise in gay movements
decline in traditional male employment
medical technology- less necessary for reproduction
what is the postmodernist view of gender identity
gender is no longer a fixed, stereotypes and expectations are fluid and changing due to globalisation and the media redefining what gender is
Pick ‘n’ Mix: you can choose what gender you want to be eg transgender
what is the biological deterministic view of gender
gender is based on biology
Parsons: females and males are socialised by their family into different role BUT these are reflected by their ‘natural characteristics’
Instrumental = breadwinner
Expressive= emotional work - looking after children and the home
what is the social constructionist view
gender is socially constructed - not fixed. we are socialised into gender roles but theses are not based off biological differences, we chose how we want to behave
Mead: studied tribes in New Guinea and found male and female behaviour was different from it in the UK
how does the family according to Oakley allow for gender role socialisation
through 4 steps
1) manipulation: ways in which parents encourage and discourage behaviour on the basis of whether it is appropriate for that childs sex
2) canalisation: parents direct childrens interests into toys which are deemed ‘normal’ for that sex
3) different activities: parents encourage their children to engage in certain activities- reinforcing expectations on how they should behave later on in life
4) verbal appellations: enforce expectations by using language differently when referring to sons and daughters
what are gender codes and give some examples
used when assigning specific traits or behaviours primarily or exclusively to certain genders.
colour codes: boys= blue Girls = pink
how does education allow for gender role socialisation
Formal curriculum: teachers and parent may encourage girls and boys to take certain subjects
girls: foot tech, textiles, English
boys: science, DT, maths
Hidden curriculum: subtle and unintended lessons given out by schools
Male gaze- encourages girls to see their value on their appearance
Structure- lack of female headteachers sends a subtle message that senior position are not available to girls
how does the peer group allow for gender role socialisation
peer pressure conforms to traditional hegemonic gender identities
Epstein: WC boys are labelled as sissies and subjected to verbal homophobic abuse if they appear to be working ‘too hard at school’
Francis: boys gain status by taking up laddish or class clown roles
how does the mass media allow for gender role socialisation
Billington: mass media reinforces gender identities
women are:
shown in narrow range of roles
rarely shown in high status occupations
encouraged to be passive
shown as emotional and unpredictable
magazines are split into male and female interests
how does religion allow for gender role socialisation
religious texts are full of male gods
in wedding vows: “to obey”
rules of some religions put restrictions on womens freedom that are now placed on men: rules on abortions, contraception and divorce
how does the workplace allow for gender roles socialisation
Adkins: he found that the workplace reinforced traditional hegemonic gender identities
certain genders applied for certain roles within work, male opperated rides in theme parks and women do more caterring
women expected to accept sexism
Stanko: men maintain power in workplace through sexual harrasment/this puts women off from applying for higher jobs
Glass ceiling: women find it hard to reach top positions and can only view it from a far - 87% of newspaper editors are men
