Gender And Sexual Identity

Question 1

Define sex.

Answer 1

• Refers to the biological, differences between male and female
• eg. Genitals, stature

Question 2

Define gender.

Answer 2

• refers to the cultural classification of people as masculine and feminine
• society’s expectations for males and females who are encouraged to think, feel and act in a manner appropriate to their sex

Question 3

Define hegemonic femininity.

Answer 3

One dominant or traditional style of femininity with characteristics about being passive, subordinate and quiet

Question 4

Define hegemonic masculinity.

Answer 4

The dominant or traditional style of masculinity which stresses toughness, aggression and being the breadwinner

Question 5

Define femininity.

Answer 5

• Characteristics associated with being a women which has an effect on female behaviour
• those characteristics can be negotiated and changed

Question 6

Define masculinity.

Answer 6

• characteristics associated with being a man which has an effect on masculine behaviour
• those characteristics can be negotiated and changed

Question 7

What is biological determinism?

Answer 7

When something is defined by biology, it is natural and a product of genetics

Question 8

What is social constructionism?

Answer 8

When something is defined by or society built by social processes rather than being natural, inherent or biological

Question 9

What do functionalists believe?

Answer 9

All parts of society have a function

Question 10

What does it mean when a functionalist believe that all parts of society have a function?

Answer 10

• masculine and feminine role serve a function to society and are natural and desirable not an inequality
• suggest that males and females are socialised into taking different roles which reflect their natural characteristics

Question 11

What does Parsons argue about the roles of gender?

Answer 11

• Men have an instrumental role such as being the breadwinner
• women have an expressive role such as looking after the house

Question 12

What do feminists suggest about gender roles?

Answer 12

Socialisation is key in maintaining traditional gender roles however they believe it isn’t natural or desirable but patriarchal

Question 13

What does Oakley say about gender roles?

Answer 13

• children are socialised into the expectations surrounding their gender
• he identifies 4 processes central to the construction of gender identity

Question 14

What are the 4 processes to the construction of gender identity that Oakley identified?

Answer 14

Manipulation, canalisation, verbal appellations, different/domestic activities

Question 15

What is manipulation?

Answer 15

Encouraging or discouraging gender appropriate behaviour

Question 16

What is canalisation?

Answer 16

Parents directing children’s interests to certain toys and play

Question 17

What is verbal appellations?

Answer 17

• Parents using stereotypical feminine and masculine descriptions
• eg. Gentle girls, strong boys

Question 18

What is different/domestic activities?

Answer 18

• Daughters have the cultural expectations of future responsibilities
• eg. Helping out with housework

Question 19

What is another way family may reinforce gender identities?

Answer 19

Official rules

Question 20

What did McRobbie find out?

Answer 20

• girls and boys are treated differently by parents
• boys given more freedom and allowed to spend more time out of the house
• girls more protected and home centred
• bedroom culture

Question 21

What is bedroom culture studied by McRobbie?

Answer 21

Used to describe the way girls spend leisure time with friends in their rooms

Question 22

What did Lincoln find out about bedroom culture?

Answer 22

• Found bedroom culture still existed
• no longer private as access to internet was common so outside world was allowed in
• no longer excluded males as they were more likely to allow boyfriends in

Question 23

Who did Lincoln study and what year?

Answer 23

Studied Mancunian girls in the 1990s regarding bedroom culture