Sex, Gender & LGBT

Question 1

What are the four divisions of Gender?

Answer 1

Sex (Male, Female, Intersex)
Gender Identity (Brain: Woman, Transgender, Man)
Gender Expression (Cultural: Feminine, Androgynous, Masculine)
Sexuality (Orientation: Men, Bisexual, Asexual, Women)

Question 2

What are the four theoretical perspectives?

Answer 2

Functionalist - separation of gender roles benefits society

Conflict - women tend to do more unpaid work, which holds lower value

Symbolic - gender roles are based on interactions with and between sexes

Feminist - Patriarchy, participation and empowerment

Question 3

What are elements of Essentialism and critiques?

Answer 3

Sees gender differences as a reflection of biological differences
Different anatomy accounts for gender roles (Freud)
Differences evolved to ensure survival of the species

Critiques:
Historical and cultural variability of gender is ignored
Ignores variation within gender groups
Ignores role of power
Used to rationalise male domination

Question 4

What is Social Constructionism?

Answer 4

Sees gender differences as a reflection of different social positions
Relational theory of gender
We ‘do’ gender and gender is done to us by society (West & Zimmerman)

Gender is patterned within certain societal structures (Connell)

• Power relations (patriarchy)
• Production relations (division of labour)
• Emotional relations (cathexis)
• Symbolism

‘patriarchal dividend’

Question 5

What is Patriarchy?

Answer 5

“A form of social organisation in which men dominate, oppress and exploit women” (Macionis and Plummer).
“A system of rules and practices of gender domination” (Gibson-Graham).
Founded on a particular ‘mode of production and reproduction.’
Women’s class positions defined by their relation to others.
Home as a separate ‘private sphere’ of reproduction (reproduction of family, reproduction of workers = women’s sphere) vs public sphere for production (economic activity = male sphere).

Question 6

What are elements of Gender socialisation?

Answer 6

Culture is learned
Gender ideology 
Reinforced by media images
Gender order
Gender roles
Hegemonic (Toxic) masculinity

Question 7

What are some differences with Masculinity and Femininity?

Answer 7

Tall, strong, tough, bread winner.

Small, weak, nurturing, passive.

Question 8

What is heteronormativity?

Answer 8

A body of lifestyle norms as well as how people tend to reproduce distinct and complementary genders (man and woman) (Herz & Johansson 2015)

Works as a tool to analyse systems of oppression and contributes to an understanding of how more general gender structures and hierarchies are constructed in society (Herz & Johansson 2015)

Assumes hetereosexuality as the normal sexual orientation.

Question 9

What is a criticism of LGBTQ?

Answer 9

Argument that this term conflates sexuality (lesbian, gay, bisexual, asexual) with gender identity (trans) and gender characteristics (intersex) (Altman 2018).

Question 10

What is Queer Theory

Answer 10

Holds that sexuality is fluid and dynamic

Involves queer reading of texts and theorising ‘queerness.’

Question 11

What are the three models of gender inequality?

Answer 11

Human capital model: gendered division of labour based on aptitude

Choice model: women choose jobs that pay less (supporting roles)

Patriarchy model: women are not encouraged into high ranking positions or taught to aspire towards them like men are

Question 12

LGBTIQA+ inequalities and outcomes?

Answer 12

Discrimination, harassment and hostility
Heteronormativity
Higher rates of abuse and mental illness