Gender & Health W8 Flashcards
Sex refers to
biological differences between men and women
Gender refers to
identity constructed by men and women based on how they act or behave and think in a society: the social, cultural and psychological differences between men and women
Traditional male activities (5):
- powerful jobs
- working in the fields, going out
- could be violent against their children and wife
- voting
- smoking & drinking
Traditional female activities (5):
- Housekeeping and raising children
- Moving outside was restricted or accompanied by a male
- Had to obey to their husband; did not react to violence against them
- Voting was prohibited in many European countries until the beginning of 20th century
- Stigmatised if smoked and drunk
Women and paid employment:
there is a gender gap of 17%
Feminization of poverty: women are more likely than men to be under the poverty line - why? (3):
- women were less likely to be employed in the past
- women earn less than men even when employed
- women are more likely than men to be part-timers
Association between Gender and Health: Life expectancy (biological advantage now and before)
- now: women live longer than men, b/c there is an innate biological advantage
- 16th and 17th centuries: male advantage, b/c women were more vulnerable to infectious diseases and female mortality at birth delivery was high
- 19th century: men and women had similar life expectancy
- second half of 19th century: advantage for women b/c infectious diseases were handled, medicine provided women a safer environment to give birth
- 2005: men 77, women 81
- nowadays UK: men 79, women 82
Association between Gender and Health: Mortality
- beginning of 20th century: both men and women died from infections and respiratory diseases
- nowadays: die from heart disease, cancer and respiratory diseases
Association between Gender and Health: Mortality & Morbidity (causes of death, suicide)
- men: die more often from heart disease and lung cancer, in car accidents
- women are more likely to attempt suicide
- men are more likely to commit suicide
- women are likely to suffer Alzheimer’s Disease
Gender and mental illness (3: ex’s, gender)
• Disorders of thought: psychoses, gender neutral
• Disorders of emotion: depression, anxiety, phobias, women
• Disorders of behaviour: behavior and personality disorders, such alcohol and drug abuse, men
Explanation of Gender Difference in Mortality (5)
- men did more dangerous jobs
- men are more likely to be risk takers and undertake dangerous activities
- car accidents
- impact of lifestyle: for ex 13% female deaths and 21% male deaths are attributed to smoking
- men are less likely than women to read symptoms effectively and are less likely to seek help early
Explanation of Gender Difference in Morbidity (3)
- Women report more symptoms and women consult clinicians more often
- Men are more likely to suffer cardiovascular disease and lung cancer due to lifestyle (smoking, alcohol)
- Women suffer more from AD: Apart from any biological reasons, this is also due to poor cognitive reserve and lack of prior exercise
Masculinity as Influential Factor: definitions, types of masculinity
masculinity - men’s social identity: what defines somebody as a man, underlying force for men’s more risky behaviour
diff types, but the most influential is hegemonic masculinity: linked with authority/ power, paid work, physical strength and heterosexuality
Sexual attitudes and behaviours in teenagers have changed – how?
teenagers are more open to them and more sexually active
Teenage pregnancy rates are higher in some countries than in others - why?
- more sexualised society
- lack of sexual education
- parents are not involved
- poverty
Health disparities -
health differences that are linked with cultural, social, economic, and environmental background and influence negatively some groups more than other groups
LGBTQ+ -
An umbrella term to capture all sexualities, gender identities and romantic relationships which are not heterosexually oriented
Gender identity -
how you in your head think about yourself, chemistry that composes you and how you interpret it
woman — genderqueer — man
Gender expression -
how you demonstrate your gender (based on traditional gender roles) through the ways you act, dress, behave, interact
Feminine — Androgynous — Masculine
Biological sex -
objectively measurable organs, hormones, chromosomes
Female (vagina, ovaries, XX) — Intersex (combination of the two) — Male (penis, testes, XY)
Sexual orientation -
who you are physically, spiritually, emotionally attracted to based on their sex/gender in relation to your own
Heterosexual — Bisexual — Homosexual
Gender terminology used in clinical practice and research:
• Sexual activities:
– MSM – men who have sex with men
– WSW – women who have sex with women
• Cis and trans
• Non-binary, genderfluid, gender neutral
Issues that LGBTQ+ people face (5):
– Disclosure
– Discrimination
– Misconceptions and stereotypes
– Increased risk factors for certain diseases
– A lack of tailored healthcare
These are higher among trans people and LGBTQ+ people of colour
LGBTQ and healthcare disparities: Mental health
- due to fear of discrimination about half of LGBTQ+ have experienced depression, 1 in 8 LGBTQ+ people aged 18-24 have attempted suicide
- struggle of ‘coming out’ and fear of rejection and stigmatisation
- trouble finding integrating themselves in the LGBTQ+ community
LGBTQ and healthcare disparities: Sexual health (4)
- Younger age of first sexual encounters
- Lack of education of safe sex
- Avoidance of healthcare help
- Poor understanding of STI testing and acquisition
LGBTQ and healthcare disparities: Substance abuse
More prone to abuses of substances such as alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine, and heroin because of a result of mental health issues AND LGBTQ+ culture is more prominent in bars and clubs
How to improve healthcare for LGBTQ in general (4) & skills for healthcare professionals, working with diversity (4)
in general:
• Appropriate education and training
• Ensure an inclusive environment
• Have a national strategy
• Enhance relationships and sex education
skills for healthcare professionals, working with diversity:
• sociological imagination, open minded and non-judgmental
• deep listening, show interest and explore
• show empathy
• work with the patient in partnership
