Sociology of Gender CH1:

Racialized:

...Seen in terms of and subjected to the application of meaning on the basis of race. Racialization as a concept, recognizes that the attribution of 'race', and the consequences of that attribution, are a process rather than the outcome of an immutable and obvious characteristic; and that race is a cultural category and idea rather than a biological one. Racialization also recognizes that in term of experience and identity, one may be made aware of ones 'race' in certain contexts or locations but not in others.

Male dominance:

A system that grants greater power, value, authority, and access to resources to men. Most often, in systems of male dominance, mens authority is reinforced throughout society and its social, political, religious, cultural and economic institutions. Male dominance is sometimes referred to as 'patriarchy', though this term is controversial when used as a synonym for male dominance.

Hegemonic masculinity:

A theory developed in the 1980s, most notably by R.W. Connell to explain male gender ideology: There may be many versions of masculinity operating in a culture, but only one is 'culturally honoured' or hegemonic, and other masculinities are organized under it in a hierarchical fashion. This theory emphasizes competition among men for power and dominance within systems of gender inequality or patriarchy.

Gendered society:

Any society in which social institutions reproduce and reinforce dominant definitions of gender and 'discipline' those who deviate from these definitions.

Differential socialization:

Associated with the 'nuture' side of the nature-nutture debate, this perspective asserts that men and women are different because they are socialized differently from birth. Thus acquiring masculine or feminine traits, behaviours and attitudes.

Sex difference:

Chromosomal, anatomical, and hormonal differences between females and males; to be considered sex differences, these distinctions must be biologically rather than culturally derived.

Deceptive distinctions:

Differences between men and woman that appear to be gender differences, but may be the result of different positions within society.

Mean differences:

Differences in the average scores of men and women on standardized test, which may be taken as representative of absolute differences between the sexes.

Hegemonic:

In this book, something that is upheld as the model; hegemonic ideals may be contested, but cannot be ignored because of their cultural power and ubiquity.

Social construction:

In this book, the theoretical orientation that sees the expression and organization of gender not as the outcome of biology, but as the result of historical and cultural change, the socialization of individuals, and the continuous interplay between gendered individuals, and gendered institutions. Social constructionists view human nature as much more malleable and variable than do biological determinists.

Emphasized femininity:

R.W. Connell's model of female gender ideology, which asserts that femininity is displayed as an compliance with gender inequality and is 'orientated to accommodating the interests and desires of men.'

Privilege:

The advantages that come from being a member of a dominant group (based on gender, race, class, ability or sexuality), the principle of which may be the presumption of normalcy and universality.

Sex:

The chromosomal, chemical, and anatomical organization of human bodies that determines biological maleness or femaleness.

"Interplanetary theory" of gender difference:

The idea that men are from Mars and women are from Venus, or that men and women are 'opposites' who exhibit complete and universal gender difference.

Institutional gender neutrality:

The idea that that while people have gender, institutions are gender neutral (rather than being the product of historical and social constructions in which gender played a great role.) The assumption that institutions are gender neutral can obscure the importance of gender within them.

Invisibility of privilege:

The idea that those who are dominant in a society may not be aware of their dominance or special status, but can see themselves as 'universal' human beings or citizens. Because of the invisibility of privilege, people may not be aware of the extent of discrimination and may become angry when confronted with evidence or assertions of racism or sexism.

Gender:

The meaning attached to the anatomical differences between men and women, or according to feminist theorist Joan Scott, 'a way of referring to the social construction of the relationship between the sexes.'

Biological determinism:

The view that the behaviour and character of an organism, group or system are determined by biological factors. Most careful scientists shun true determinism, but determinist tendencies can be found among scientists and popular culture.