Sociology - Gender Unit Terms

gender identity

A personal identification of oneself as a man or woman

patriarchy

A society in which male members have more political, economic, and social power than women

gender stereotypes

an oversimplified generalization (usually an exaggerated and offensive one) based on gender

sexual assault

any touching of a sexual nature that is against the victim's will

glass ceiling

a trend in which women can rise to a certain level of promotion in a company but are blocked from reaching the highest levels of management or supervision. (not an actual glass ceiling, represents the limitations women face when trying to move into a higher position in the work place)

sexual orientation

Self-identification of the sex a person is attracted to; refers to whether you are sexually attracted to the same sex, opposite sex, or both sexes

transgender

a person who identifies with or expresses a gender identity that differs from their sex

gender roles

norms/standards created by society for how men and women are expected to behave based on their gender

bisexual

people sexually attracted to both men and women

heterosexual

people sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex (most people fit into this category)

homosexual

people sexually attracted to people of the same sex (estimated to be about 5% of the american population

sexism

prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination on the basis of sex

femininity

qualities traditionally associated with being female

masculinity

qualities traditionally associated with being male

heteronormative

relating to or based on the attitude that heterosexuality is the only normal and natural expression of sexuality

feminism

the belief that men and women deserve equality in all opportunities, treatment, respect, and social rights. (feminists are people who try to acknowledge social inequality based on gender and stop it from continuing.)

sex

the biological differences between male and female

gender role socialization

the interactive process through which individuals learn the norms (behaviors) and beliefs deemed appropriate for their gender

objectification

the seeing and/or treating of a person, usually a woman, as an object

Gender

the social/cultural distinctions associated with being male or female

self-fulfilling prophecy

you act as you are treated