M6S1: Intrduction To Sex And Gender As Determinant Of Health Flashcards
Sex
-set of biological attributes in humans and animals
-physical and physiological features like chromosomes, gene expression, hormone levels and functions and reproductive/sexual anatomy
-sex has been described in binary terms of women and men
Gender
-social construct and refers to identities, roles, behaviours and expressions of girls, women, boys, men and gender diverse people
-gender influences how individuals view themselves and one another, as well as how they behave and interact
-from social perspective, gender also associated with how power and resources are distributed
Gender binary
-categorization of gender into 2 separate forms of ms=as urine and feminine, by cultural beliefs, societal norms or both
-gender binary does not consider real diversity of sex and gender identities though as does not include intersex (aka intersexual) people whose biological characteristics do not fit into binary medical categories of male or female and don’t consider non-binary, genderqueer or gender non-conforming identities
-used in many western societies in past but not universal concept
Gender identity
-profound and personal feeling of being male, female, neither or both
-usually appears early in childhood
Gender identity and sex
-personal and people identify in many ways
-majority of people are cisgender, meaning gender matches sex given at birth
-some transgender, where gender identity don’t match sex given at birth
-non-binary, genderqueer or gender non-conforming people feel they belong to gender outside of categories of men and women so identity as something else
Gender identity continuum
-gender identities exist on continuum and can change over time
-not limited to binary (girl/women, boy man) but includes:
Cisgender
Transgender
Genderfluid
Genderqueer
Gender non-binary
Gender non-conforming
Two-spirit (indigenous people who embody diverse sexualities, gender identities, roles, and/or expressions
Gender identity and sexual orientation
-person can identify as women and have sexual preferences for man, women, neither or both and so can transgendered men
Gender expression
-manner in which individuals express and present their gender via their conduct or behaviour, action, style and clothing choices and how these expressions are understood by other people according to gender norms and traditions
Gender role and their impacts on health and influence behaviour
-behavioural norms typically applied to males and females in societies that influence individual’s everyday actions, expectations and experiences, for example how we dress or talk, what we aspire to do, what we feel are valuable contributors to make as man or women
Health and well-being
-social replication of norms for gender expressions in institutions and cultural practices, in addition to social expectations of proper roles and behaviours impact health and well-being
Social institutions
-includes family, culture, media, education, law, political and religious institutions
-social and cultural standards, values, and representations of masculinity and femininity can also be maintained and perpetuated through these organizations
-may make it hard for them to take on certain duties as don’t fit established standard, leading to increased strain and stress
Attitudes and behaviours
-includes relationships, parenting, schooling, work and health practices (ex. Seeking care, support, treatment)
-Create additional economic and cultural pressures
Different exposures
-norms and values around gendered work roles, division of paid and unpaid labour, and all occupations of people of different gender identities can result in different behaviours and vulnerabilities, creating vary health needs, behaviours and outcomes
Ex. Women more often primary caregiver and can create obstacles or barriers to obtaining education, employment, and/or advancing their career, which can cause increased stress or burden that indirectly impact health
Gender relations
-how people interact with or teat people in the world around them, based on their ascribed gender
-can lead to negative effects when someone does not fit others expectations and can lead to discrimination
Institutionalized gender
-ways in which social institutions (ie media, education, religious and political establishments) frame gender, experiences, roles and relationships
Gender as a cultural concept
-views of it not universal
Ex. Numerous indigenous communities recognize a third or more fenders within their societies
Two-spirit
-used within some indigenous communities
-encompasses cultural, spiritual, sexual and gender identity
-long history of sexual and gender diversity in indigenous cultures and two-spirited people have often held reverse roles like healers and counsellors
Mapuche people of Chile
-machi considered religious authorities that blade the Mapuche cosmos
-machi gender not determined by sex assigned at birth but by identity and spirituality
-gender fluidity is what provides them ability to interact with spiritual realm
Gender pluralism
Non-binary gender expressions
Gender across cultures
Hijra of Bangladesh
-Hijra are transgender individuals that resign in Indian subcontinent
-officially recognized as third gender
-many live in organized all-Hijra communities, led by a guru
Kathoey of Thailand
-identifies as “transgender women” or “traditionally female presenting gay men”
-many perceive them to belong to a separate sex, this includes some transgender women
Trans PULSE Canada survey
-community-based survey testing wealth and health of transgender and non-binary people in Canada
-in fall 2019, 2,873 transgender and non-binary people aged 14 years or older and living in Canada participated
-released how many transgender people identities as male masculine, female, both, neither or genderfluid and how many had unmet health care
Identifying as male or female: 49%
Identifying as non-binary: 48%
Identifying as indigenous/cultural gender( Two-spirit): 2%
Unmet health care needs: 45% compared to 4% in the general population
