Sociology: Chapter 12

how is gender socialized?

Children acquire these roles through socialization, a process in which people learn to behave in a particular way as dictated by societal values, beliefs, and attitudes. For example, society often views riding a motorcycle as a masculine activity and, therefore, considers it to be part of the male gender role.

transgender vs. transsexual

Individuals who identify with the role that is the different from their biological sex are called transgender. Transgender individuals who attempt to alter their bodies through medical interventions such as surgery and hormonal therapy—so that their physical being is better aligned with gender identity—are called transsexuals.

how do we learn gender roles?

One way children learn gender roles is through play. Parents typically supply boys with trucks, toy guns, and superhero paraphernalia, which are active toys that promote motor skills, aggression, and solitary play. Daughters are often given dolls and dress-up apparel that foster nurturing, social proximity, and role play.

sex vs. gender

Sex refers to physical or physiological differences between males and females, including both primary sex characteristics (the reproductive system) and secondary characteristics such as height and muscularity. Gender refers to behaviors, personal traits, and social positions that society attributes to being female or male.

DOMA

The Defense of Marriage Act ( DOMA) was passed, explicitly limiting the definition of "marriage" to a union between one man and one woman.

to do gender

When people perform tasks or possess characteristics based on the gender role assigned to them

gender dysmorphia

a condition of people whose gender at birth is contrary to the one they identify with.

gender identity

a person's deeply held internal perception of his or her gender.

sexual orientation

his or her physical, mental, emotional, and sexual attraction to a particular sex (male or female).

heteronormative society

meaning it assumes sexual orientation is biologically determined and unambiguous

sexism

refers to prejudiced beliefs that value one sex over another

gender role

refers to society's concept of how men and women are expected to look and how they should behave.

heterosexism

suggests is both an ideology and a set of institutional practices that privilege heterosexuals and heterosexuality over other sexual orientations.

views of sexuality in the U.S.

is rather restrictive when it comes to its citizens' general attitudes about sex compared to other industrialized nations; U.S. culture is particularly restrictive in its attitudes about sex when it comes to women and sexuality. It is widely believed that men are more sexual than are women.

three perspectives view gender

--> Functionalists argue that gender roles were established well before the pre-industrial era when men typically took care of responsibilities outside of the home, such as hunting, and women typically took care of the domestic responsibilities in or around the home. These roles were considered functional because women were often limited by the physical restraints of pregnancy and nursing and unable to leave the home for long periods of time. Once established, these roles were passed on to subsequent generations since they served as an effective means of keeping the family system functioning properly. --> conflict theorists can view men as the dominant group and women as the subordinate group. According to conflict theory, social problems are created when dominant groups exploit or oppress subordinate groups. -->social interactionists view gender because the meanings attached to symbols are socially created and not natural, and fluid, not static, we act and react to symbols based on the current assigned meaning

three perspectives on sexuality

--> When it comes to sexuality, functionalists stress the importance of regulating sexual behavior to ensure marital cohesion and family stability. Since functionalists identify the family unit as the most integral component in society, they maintain a strict focus on it at all times and argue in favor of social arrangements that promote and ensure family preservation. --> From a conflict theory perspective, sexuality is another area in which power differentials are present and where dominant groups actively work to promote their worldview as well as their economic interests. -->Interactionists focus on the meanings associated with sexuality and with sexual orientation.