Week 5 Flashcards
Lets Talk About Sex
Sex is not the same as gender
These terms are related, not synonymous
Sex is the chromosomal makeup determined by X or Y chromosomes
Refers to biological and physiological characteristics that define men and women
What Is Intersex?
General term for a variety of conditions in which a person is born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t fit the typical definition of male or female
IE: born female on the “outside” but having mostly male-typical anatomy on the inside
A person may be born with genitals that are “in- between” IE: born with a large clitoris, or lacking a vaginal opening. Or someone born with a scrotum that is divided so that it is formed more like a labia
Prevalence varies based on condition, Planned Parenthood estimates that about 1-2 in 100 people in the U.S are intersex
SOGI suggests between 0.05 and 1.7% of the population is born with intersex traits
Majority of infants born with “genital ambiguity” are otherwise healthy, therefore genital surgery isn’t recommended until the child is old enough to participate in the decision.
Does Sex Matter?
Sex differences must be understood in order to ensure interventions are relevant, community- informed, and effective
Think about how we typically understand health outcomes of men and women (Morbidity, Mortality, Life expectancy)
Variations in life expectancy exist amongst regions, and in respect to the social determinants of health
Parts of Canada with the lowest life expectancy also hold some of the highest rates of smoking, obesity, and heavy drinking
Some Problematic Theory
Hormonal differences whereas women give birth and men do not
This is known as “essentialist thinking” that women and men have “true essence” related to sex organs, hormones, and their role in reproduction
“biology-as-destiny”, suggesting that women are naturally caring, relational, and emotional
Biology-as-destiny thinking has actually given way to approaching women’s health as “pubescent, child-bearing, and menopausal” suggesting a woman is connected to her reproductive health and nothing else
Introduction to Gender
The WHO defines gender as: the characteristics of women, men, girls and boys that are socially constructed
Norms, behaviours, roles, and relationships with each other
Varies between societies and can change over time
Gender influences may be overt or subtle
Gender is recognized as a key social determinant of health
Masculinity and Femininity
Gender is the expression of one’s sex in terms of masculinity and femininity and is rooted in culture and history
Gender Identity
Describes how we see ourselves as women, men, neither, or both
Affects our feelings and behaviours
Linked to an individual’s sense of self
May not confirm with assigned sex at birth
Gender Stereotype Theory
Gender stereotype theory suggests that men are generally perceived as more masculine than women
Whereas women are generally perceived as more feminine than men (Kachel et al., 2016)
Gender Norms
Are ideas how how men and women should act
Social principles that govern behaviour and can restrict gender identity
Traditional masculine “ideals” include:
Self reliance, stoicism, emotional control
Traditional feminine “ideals” include:
Quiet, nice, selfless, passive, emotional, thin, defining one’s self through relationships above all else
Gender Roles
Social + cultural expectations assigned to gender
Can be seen in how we dress, talk, and careers
Current Trends in the study of Gender Norms and Behavioural Health
It is normative in many cultures for women to have lessened decision-making power over family planning behaviours, or limiting physical activity out of concern for appearing less feminine (Fleming & Agnew-Brune, 2016)
is normative in many cultures for men to drink alcohol excessively, avoid certain healthy food options, or avoid health-care (Fleming & Agnew- Brune, 2016)
traditionally, men have been viewed as reluctant to seek professional help for depression because the illness and their actions in seeking help “suggest weakness” and may be viewed as non-masculine
Men who believe in traditional gender roles are more likely to have a greater number of sexual partners and or avoid condom use (Fleming & Agnew-Brune, 2016)
Binary
Binary notions of sex and gender are heavily entrenched in many societies and organizations
This suggests that people are either male or female and “therefore naturally” masculine or feminine
Traditional Gender Roles in Canada
Gender roles are specific to the time and place
Patriarchal authority was the norm in the colonies
Less common among Indigenous communities (but this was later influenced by missionaries)
Property ownership in Canada favoured men pre-confederation
Gender roles became more strict during the Victorian era where men and women operated in “operate spheres” in middle and upper classes
Gender roles became more elastic during world wars, “watershed moment”
Gender-role elasticity: returned to pre-war levels and norms were turned to
Roles were re-established in the 1950’s and were rigid due to turmoil
1960’s women returned and stayed in the workforce
Indigenous Gender Roles
The Oneida are a Canadian Indigenous nation, and in traditional culture:
Women were responsible for household chores and gathering food
Men were responsible for hunting large game, gathering wood, and learning to fight
Lead by Clan mothers who were responsible for ensuring the welfare of their communities and selecting Chiefs
Many Indigenous communities believe that gender is fluid and there are more than two genders
Some believe individuals can change gender for ceremonial purposes
Others recognize individuals who are neither male nor female, or that people may be assigned a gender at birth and live as another gender
Some are considered to be spiritual leaders or healers, while other are considered completely ordinary
Gender, Sex, and Health Outcomes
Sex and gender are powerful determinants that influence the health of individuals, families, communities, systems, and populations
Biologically and sociologically - male, female, and trans-identified individuals differ in terms of diseases, symptoms, and care received
Men and women develop and experience diseases differently, they share 10 leading causes of death
Gender Inequity
Occurs when individuals are not provided the same opportunities in society because of their gender or gender-identity
Access: the ability for all people to have equal access to policy, program, and legislative activities
Equity: Ensuring programs and health promotion strategies identify the unique elements, opportunities, and challenges that men, women and transgender individuals face
Inclusion: Representation of diverse groups of men and women through the policy or program process
Benefits: The intended advantages of any program or policy are equally available to both men and women of diverse cultures, socioeconomic status, and various levels of identity
Gender Based Inequality
Pay equity is clearly outlined in the Canadian Human Rights Act, however there remains a gap where women earn approx. $0.87 for every dollar a man earns
The pay equity gap is even wider for women who are older, Indigenous, belong to racialized groups, and live with different abilities
Canadian immigrants have a higher unemployment rate and lower wages than Canadian born workers - desperate having higher levels of education
In a study of 433 transgender adults in Ontario, only 37% were employed full time and 18% cited being turned down for a job because of gender, and 13% were fired or constructively dismissed for being transgender
