lec 3 Flashcards
what is a theory - how do gender theories emerge - why are they important to know
an explanation
emerged because scholars saw the subordination of women and sought to explain it
important to know theorists themselves to get a better understanding of their mindset and impact
how have perceptions of women changed through the years ? (4) what is the dominant view ?
discussion on if the genders are equal
ancient writings: genesis (all born equal - or Adam then eve) philosophers (women as influential vs. no longer heard) - new testament (women as bishops vs. held in disdain)
greeks: women as underdeveloped - defective man
idea of women as OPPOSITES - essentialism explanation
Canadian history - first female settlers could hold property - after priests came over WHY DID THIS CHANGE
no longer equality view but HOW ARE THE GENDERS SIMILAR OR DIFFERENT
DESCRIBE FREUD’S THEORIES (identification and psychodynamic) (view of women, 2 main beliefs - explain why these are held) - IMPLICATIONS OF FREUDS THEORIES FOR MEN AND WOMEN
FREUDS THEORIES OF GENDER:
-psychodynamic (unconscious psychological forces)
- identification theories (with mother or father)
- negative view of women (PENIS ENVY) - really wanted to be male
- women as less intelligent than men
- less moral then men
INTELLIGENT
- entire life purpose was to have kids and take care of family
MORAL
- males first identified with their mothers, but fearing their father’s punishments identified with their father’s maleness
- development of male superego in resolving these changes much more difficult so men believed to have a stronger conscious
- females identification started with their mothers - but had penis envy (brothers and father) and wanted to be with their father - but reverted eventually to identify with their members
- development of female superego is easier process - SO females have a weaker conscience
IMPLICATIONS (important)
- on women
- not moral - can’t hold positions of trust
- not intelligent - can’t pursue higher education or hold leadership/professional positions
on males
- burden to provide fell on men - hold positions of power (pressure emotional stress problems)
discuss the criticisms of freud’s theories - describe the alternative theories of the neo-fruedians
- theories cannot be proven
- biased against women
- case study - n of 1
neo-fruedians
emphasized psychodynamic - identification
BUT
disagreed with freud’s ideas
FEMALE NEO-FRUEDIANS
- disagreed with Freud’s emphasis on MALE DOMINANCE and SEX
- idea that the identification with the. mother is the most important (instead of the father)
- gyrocentric (focused on the womb not the penis)
- MALES have the envy (womb envy - sense of inferiority - desire to engage in child rearing proccess)
- women suffer to bc they feel that they can’t live up to their perfect mother
- SO - proposition to have parents share parenting roles so that kids can see both parents in their lives - and identification does not occur
social - structural - cultural theory of gender identity (two part - power and status - social roes and jobs)
power and status -
differences between men and women exist bc men have more power and status
so - gender conflict should disappear if there was equal status
how do we know ?
by looking at a time when there was no gender power imbalance (native american matriarchal tribes - could hold land - when french came over and had to marry in front of a priest this all changed)
SOCIAL ROLES AND DIVISION OF LABOUR
- men and women do different work - leading to power imbalances as men tend to occupy high status - high paying roles - giving them more power than women in important matters like finance
YORK STUDY - longitudinal - ask - who makes decisions in the home - who does most of the work
- always MOM - then became ME (for girls) or WIFE for boys - in all matters except FINANCIAL DECISIONS
how do nature and nurture contribute to sex and gender ? (3)
- gene environment interactions
genetic impact on behaviour emerges in a certain environment (ex. diathesis stress model for serotonin gene and anxiety + depression - genetic disposition and environmental circumstances = behaviour) - epigenetics
gene activation under certain circumstances (stress levels during pregnancy - can alter the genetic expression of the child) - microbiome
changes during puberty - has an impact on the brain
how do chromosomes - genes - hormones shape sex differences (conditions- embryo differentiation)
- embryos start differentiating around week 6
- female sex as the DEFAULT
- y chromosome leads to the product of androgen (hormone that results in testes) - no androgen OVARIES
- external genitalia week 12
- intersex - internal/external characteristics not consistent with either gender
hormone conditions:
- females - excessive androgens - congenital adrenal hyperplasia (male external female internal)
- males - no androgen response - complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (female external)
biological - sociocultural factors that shape sex assignment - gender identity ?
- cultures define and give meaning to sex categories
- west STRONG BINARIES (intersex shunned - OPTIMAL SEX - surgeries)
- transgender - hormone therapy and surgery (but depends on access to resources)
sex differences in the brain ? neurosexism ?
- larger hippocampus - amygdala in the brains of men
- larger frontal cortex - females
these are not necessarily innate - different environments created fora child growing up as a female vs. male might produce these sex differences in the brain
neurosexism:
- the interpretation of neuroscience research in ways that enforce gender stereotypes
describe evolutionary theory and the biosocial construction theory of sex differences - what do they lack ?
evolutionary:
- human behaviour reflects adaptive psychological mechanisms that helped our ancestors reproduce
- parental investment theory
heritable traits (to compete with other mates - to be attractive to other sex)
biosocial
division of labour based on genetic features …. socialization of diff skills and behaviour
LACK EXPLANATION FOR INTERSEX - LGBTQ
essentialism explanation of gender sex binaries - problems ?
- overarching social systems that conceptualize sex and gender as consisting of two opposite and NON-OVERLAPPING CATEGORIES
- explains that EVERY FEMALE IS LIKE OTHER FEMALES - MALES LIKE OTHER MALES
doesn’t take into consideration androgyny or transgender
are there only two sexes ? describe two intersex conditions. what happens to the intersex in society ?
no - there are three - female male and intersex - genitals as neither male or female (1.7% of people)
- complete androgen insensitivity syndrome
genetic males who’s bodies do not detect androgen hormone
no penis - look female
reared as females - feel female - look feminine - know TRUE sex when they do not menstruate
congenital adrenal hyperplasia
- genetic females - same androgen levels as men - masculine genitalia
tend to orient more towards men (male activities - but not unhappy with female friends)
the intersex are treated differently based on culture (sacred but low class in india - celebrated in the DR)
OPTIMAL SEX AND GENDER POLICY - what is considered to be the right course of action now ?
- practice in which doctors and parents decide what is the best option for infants with inter-sexed genitalia
- physical appearance compatible with assigned sex -socialized the same
example:
david reimer - witness
now:
- recommendation to postpone surgeries and hormone treatments until the children are old enough to understand and make decisions for themselves - should not force them to adopt one gender because it is ‘socially acceptable’
SOCIAL LEARNING FACTORS - how do children learn gender from there PARENTS - SIBLINGS - GRANDPARENTS - SCHOOL AND PEERS ?
PARENTS
- expectations differ for boys and girls before child is even born (nursery - name etc.)
- in childhood, treated differently based on gender expectations (chores - toys - clothing)
- culture based
- might show more attention to boys and play more actively with sons
siblings
- positive and negative role models
- same sex older siblings leads to more sex-typical behaviour
school
- models of behaviour - women as teachers men as principles (social role theory)
- attitude behaviour towards children (activities group - positive feedback … to bad kid …. encouragement)
peers
- friendly supportive OR bullying disparaging
reinforces gender identity and punish gender non-compliance
how do gender stereotypes influence expectant parents and childhood development ?
gendered world before chid is even born (gender reveal)
FEW DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS BETWEEN BOYS AND GIRLS AS NEWBORNS - but treated differently
sex - one of the first categories that infants recognize as parents start applying these stereotypes very soon after birth (caretaking of child - toys etc.)
