Lecture 3 - Sexualities + Gender Flashcards
Define sex.
Anatomical, chromosomal and hormonal features
Define intersex.
Having sex characteristics outside the male/female binary (i.e. ambiguous genitalia)
Define gender identity.
Personal identification/sense of belonging w/ a particular sex
Define gender roles.
Behaviour according to societal expectations of how a particular gender should act
Define sexual orientation.
One’s preference in sexual partners
Define heteronormativity.
The idea that sex, gender and sexual orientation are binary (Preference for heterosexuality)
Define transgender.
Someone who doesn’t identify as their assigned gender at birth
What are the arguments of the origin of gender difference?
Essentialism –> gender differences are biological (naturally evolved) and should be reflected in society
(Functionalist idea)
Social constructionism –> gender is constructed by interactions w/ social structure + culture
(Conflict theorist, symbolic interactionist, feminist idea)
How is gender socialized in society?
- Barbie dolls have an impact on girls’ body image (Toys, in general, are unnecessarily gendered)
- Media enforces the hypersexuality of women
- Boys and girls are rewarded for different behaviour (Boys for being assertive, girls for being compliant)
- Boys are encouraged to participate in more competitive sports/activities
Why are non-binary ideas of sex/gender/sexual orientation increasingly accepted yet widely resisted?
Accepted because of sexology and political movements
Factors associated w/ resistance are:
- Highly religious
- Elderly
- Immigrants
- Visible minority
- Men
Define gender ideologies.
Sets of interrelated ideas about what constitutes appropriate masculine/feminine behaviour
Define glass ceiling (in management).
A social barrier that makes it hard for women to rise to the top of management
Define heterosexual, homosexual and bisexual.
Heterosexual - prefers members of the opposite sex as sexual partners
Homosexual - members of the same sex for their partner
Bisexual - partners of either sex
What is queer theory?
- Debunks the notion that sex/gender/sexuality are highly correlated (by examining empirical mismatches among them)
- Emphasizes that changing social contexts influence sexual identities
- States that labels don’t capture the fluidity of sexuality and act as a social convention (for control/to stifle individuals from being unique)
What are the 4 main factors that contribute to the wage gap?
- Gender discrimination –> Women and men get rewarded differently for the same job, women may not get jobs due to potential maternity leaves
- Occupational sex segregation –> concentration of women in low-wage jobs (social work, nursing, teaching, etc.)
- Domestic responsibilities –> married women are more likely to work part-time (childcare, housekeeping)
- Undervaluation of women’s work –> “less skill” for jobs in which women predominate (Ex. Kindergarten teacher VS technician)
Where is gender inequality high/low?
Usually lower in Eastern Europe, higher in Africa
Poor countries tend to be less gender-equal
Why do men have more aggression (especially against women)?
- Men have more power socially, so the level of aggression is higher than women
- Cases of SA are a form of domination for men (potential psychological Compensation for abuse in youth)
- Fraternities and athletics contribute to this (“Macho” image, toxic masculinity)
- Culture enforces ideas of male dominance, which increases the chances of SA/aggression
Define acquaintance rape.
SA committed by a non-relative that the victim knows
What are the 2 forms of sexual harassment?
- Quid pro quo –> sexual threats/bribery as a condition of employment decisions
- Hostile environment –> involves inappropriate jokes/touching/comments that make the work environment unfriendly (or interfere w/ work)
What are the 3 factors to female gender risk?
- Average national income –> economic development increases women’s independence, leading to more equality
- How deep patriarchy is entrenched –> increased male authority = increased chance of assault
- Laws on equality –> more laws = less SA, homicide, etc.
What are the 2 main policies that should be introduced to fix gender inequality?
- Child care –> w/0 it, women spend more time at home, taking care of children
- Equal pay for work of equal value –> pay equity (equal dollar value for diff. jobs, gender-neutral terms based on education + experience)
What are the 4 main streams of feminist movements?
- Liberal feminism –> breaking learned gender roles + allowing more opportunities for women
- Socialist feminism –> elimination of private property + creation of economic equality (for the working class who can’t afford education/work)
- Radical feminism –> ending patriarchy/gender, getting rid of male domination
- Third-wave feminism –> mid-1980s, focus on intersectionality ( antiracist, postmodern)
How does GDP per capita affect women’s physical insecurity?
Wealthier country = higher chance of gender equality
Inequality in income/education/political influence = more male domination/physical domination over women
Low GDP per capita = lower gender inequality = higher insecurity
- Major cause of women’s insecurity is the pourer gap b/w men and women *
