Gender Development Flashcards
What is Sex?
Sex: the classification of individuals as females or male based on their genetic makeup, anatomy and reproductive functions
What is Gender?
Gender: the meanings that societies and individuals give to female and male categories
Why is gender considered to be socially constructed?
Different cultures have different conceptions about gender. Gender is dynamic, not static (our ideas about gender change over time such as colors that are appropriate for boys and girls. It used to be pink for boys, and blue for girls. Now its pink girls and blue boys). Gender is inextricable from its context (experiences that contribute to sex)
What is the differences approach?
men and women are fundamentally different (men and women have different personality traits, skills, preferences…)
What is the similarities approach?
men and women are basically alike in their intellectual and social behaviors (skills, abilities, personality traits, preferences …)
What are communion (being communal) and agency (being agentic)?
communal: being interested in other people
agentic: having agency, being interested in self
What is hostile sexism?
It is the most popular kind of sexism, regards to women as inferior to men, and assigns women to traditional and subordinate roles.
What is benevolent sexism?
- sees women as objects to be idealized and protected
- Views women as emotionally weaker than but morally superior to men
What do hostile and benevolent sexism have in common?
view women as inferior and reinforce stereotypes and patriarchy
What is ambivalent sexism?
oscillating between benevolent and hostile sexism, depending on the target’s role, traits, or behavior
How does social learning theory explain gender typing?
- Emphasis on learning behaviors via reinforcement/punishment and modeling
- Gender-role socialization (barbies are for girls, ninjas are for boys)
