Gender Identity

Question 1

Does gender have a significant impact on our identity and why?

Answer 1

Yes
Especially if we live in a patriarchal society in which females are seen and treated as inferior to males

Question 2

What is Wilson and what do they believe

Answer 2

A Sociobiologist and believe that gender roles are the natural product of biology, sociologists disagree with them.

Question 3

What do sociologist (what types specifically?) say opposed to sociobiologists

Answer 3

Feminist sociologists
They believe that gender is socially constructed via gender role socialisation. Which means that boys and girls are taught by society to conform to culturally dominant or hegemonic masculine and feminine norms of behaviour.

Question 4

What does Oakley (1981) observe

Answer 4

That gender role allocation involves four processes:
1. Manipulation - the encouragement of behaviour that is seen as culturally acceptable, boys being rowdy and not crying.
2. Canalisation - channelling children’s interest into toys and games activities considered to be the norm for their gender.
3. Verbal appellation - Using gendered language to describe children like pretty princess and little man
4. Different activities - Boys and girls are encouraged to participate in separate activities which is seen as suitable for their gender. Girls = kitchen work and boys = car work

Question 5

What do feminists reject and instead point out

Answer 5

They reject the biological view that femininity and masculinity are products of biology. They point out that if that was the case then femininity and masculinity would be the same in every society, and they aren’t.

Question 6

What do feminists argue about gender identity

Answer 6

Gender identity is not fixed but fluid and subject to frequent change.

Question 7

What does research show about changing gender identities

Answer 7

That girls no longer conform to the norms of feminine identity that dominated British culture thirty years ago

Question 8

Describe the evidence that suggest feminine identity is changing

Answer 8

Evidence suggests that women in 2017 are more likely to see themselves as equal to men rather than subordinate.

Question 9

What do sociologists observe about the changing feminine identity

Answer 9

That there are now a range of feminine identities in the UK including the traditional, culturally dominant version focused on motherhood, the breadwinner, career women, single mother and Ladette.

Question 10

How does Jackson (2006) define ladette

Answer 10

Girls and young women who adopt traditionally masculine or laddish styles of behaviour. For example assertiveness, overt sexuality and heavy drinking.

Question 11

What is traditional or hegemonic masculine identity

Answer 11

One that is bound up with being in paid work, being the family breadwinner and being the head of the family.

Question 12

Is hegemonic masculinity declining and if so when

Answer 12

Went into decline in 1980s because of a rise in unemployment brought about by globalisation.

Question 13

When did the mens status as breadwinners come under threat and why

Answer 13

In the late 20th century because women are able to go out to work and were often the sole breadwinner.

Question 14

What does Connell identify as the two other forms of masculinity

Answer 14

1. ‘Subordinate masculinity’ - Males who demonstrate traits which are the opposites of hegemonic masculinity, like being ‘gay’.
2. ‘Marginalised masculinity’ - A form of masculinity that lacks the characteristics of hegemonic masculinity because the male in question is either disabled or a part of ethnic minority groups.

Question 15

How have feminists altered the ‘Subordinate masculinity’

Answer 15

They have changed it to refer to men who have successfully adapted to a more feminised economic environment by taking more responsibility for housework and childcare as women go out to work and become the main wager-earner.

Question 16

What does Mac an Ghaill (1994) say about a rise in male unemployment

Answer 16

They declare that males are experiencing a ‘crisis of masculinity’ because they are no longer sure of their masculine identity and this leads to problems such as depression as the traditional men felt emasculated by unemployment.

Question 17

What do Mac an Ghaill and Sewell suggest

Answer 17

That one response to the crisis has been the emergence of a hyper-masculinity among young males who look to violence and promiscuity as a means of earning respect from peers.

Question 18

Define ‘Crisis of masculinity’

Answer 18

A situation where young males have become increasingly uncertain about masculine identity and male roles due to the decline of traditional male jobs in heavy industry, male unemployment, and more women becoming wager earners in families.

Question 19

What is Faludis study and what did she find

Answer 19

A study of subculture of Young American makes called the ‘Spur Possee’, she observes that young working-class males have responded to this crisis of masculinity by blaming feminism for their troubles and by engaging in sexual violence. She observes that such violence is their only remaining source of power.