Gender and Health

Question 1

LO’s

Answer 1

Discuss gender theories in medical sociology
Define and distinguish between sex and gender
Understand what is meant by the social construction of gender
Discuss the term hegemonic masculinity

Question 2

Gender definition

Answer 2

the socially constructed characteristics of women and men, such as norms, roles, and relationships of and between groups of women and men
(gender identity, expression)

Question 3

Sex

Answer 3

biological characteristics

Question 4

Sexuality

Answer 4

who you are attracted to

Question 5

How do we determine sex

Answer 5

• ->anatomy- primary (gonadal) and secondary (physical) sexual characteristics
• ->Physiology - sex hormones
• -> Genetics - sex chromosomes

Question 6

5a reductase deficiency

Answer 6

genetic disorder
protein called 5a-reductase is defective or absent
converts testosterone to its more potent form

Question 7

Biological determinism

Answer 7

belief that human behaviour is directly controlled by individuals genes (e.g. boys more brave, women more affectionate)

Question 8

Social constructivist perspective

Answer 8

• gender is a human definition and is shaped by culture and other social factors
• often reinforces existing inequalities/ gender roles]-gender is performative
  3. g. gender socialisation theory

Question 9

Gender socialisation theory

Answer 9

females become women through a process where they acquire feminine traits and learn feminine behaviour

Question 10

“gender is performative”

Answer 10

• not stable
• sequence of actions
• experience of womanhood is not universal

Question 11

hegemonic masculinity

Answer 11

• the way of “doing” gender that is most valued in our society
• a culturally idealised form of manhood
• being assertive, aggressive, bread winner

Question 12

complicit masculinity

Answer 12

someone who admires and doesn’t challenge hegemonic masculinity even if they themselves don’t fit into it

Question 13

emphasised femininity

Answer 13

idea that women must conform to the needs and desires of men

Question 14

people who conform to hegemonic masculinity

Answer 14

• are rewarded by society
• have better access to power and status in society
• obvious disadvantage women
• also disadvantages men (real men aren’t meant to cry)
• those who don’t conform face discrimination

Question 15

transgender man

Answer 15

assigned a woman at birth, identifies as man