Gender, Sex, & Sexuality
Kruti
GenderSexuality_F19_canvas1.pptxGender and Sexuality
Chapter 12
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Sex and Gender
Sex refers physical or physiological differences
Primary and secondary characteristics
Sex identity
Intersexed
Gender refers to behaviors, personal traits, and social positions
Gender roles
Gender identity
Transgender and transsexual
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Portrait of Gender Today
Queer
Androgynous
male
Straight
Transgender
male
Bi-gender
Transgender
female
Heterosexual
male
Transboy
Trans-male
Intersexed
non-binary
Transboy
Nonbinary
Trans-female
Non-binary
genderqueer
Trans activist
Source: National Geographic – January 2017 – pages 12-15 – photo: Henry Leutwyler
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Gender Socialization
Males and females learn their gender roles through gender socialization
Family
Peers
Schools
Sports
Mass Media
Religion
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Gender Socialization
The Price of Conformity
Gender stereotypes
Gendered Institutions
Total pattern of gender relations that structure social institutions
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Sexism and Gender Stratification
Sexism – prejudiced beliefs that value one sex over another
Can be cultural and/or structural
Structured Inequality
Education
Work & Income
Human capital hypothesis
Devaluation hypothesis
Labor market segmentation
Comparable worth
Overt discrimination
Politics
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Women’s Worth: Still Unequal
Source: www.iwpr.org, March 7, 2018
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Sexism and Gender Stratification
Glass ceiling vs. glass escalator
Fast track vs. mommy track
“Second Shift”
Sexual harassment
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Sociological Theories Of Gender Inequality
Functionalist Perspective
Pre-industrial vs. industrial societies
Conflict Perspective
Male dominance and female subordination are shaped by the relationship men and women have to production process.
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Sociological Theories Of Gender Inequality
Symbolic Interactionist Perspective
Meanings associated with being feminine and masculine.
Feminist Perspective
Liberal
Radical
Socialist
Multicultural
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Gender in Global Perspective
Globally women
Have less education
Are underrepresented in politics
Paid lower wages
Face abuse
Lack legal protection
“Half the Sky” by Nicholas Kristof - 2009
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Gender and Social Change
Many people take for granted freedoms struggled for by earlier generations.
These include
access to birth control
equal opportunity legislation
laws against sexual harassment
increased athletic opportunities for women,
more women in political life.
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Characteristic of Societies With Gender Equality
Women’s work is central to the economy.
Women have access to education.
Ideological or religious support for gender inequality is weak.
Men contribute to housework and childcare.
Work is not highly sex-segregated.
Women have access to power and authority.
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Western Conceptions of Sexuality
Definitions
Sexual orientation
Sexual identity
Heterosexuality,
Homosexuality
Bisexuality
Gender non-conformity
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Sex and Culture
Sexual relationships develop within a social context that establishes:
What sexual relationships mean
How they are conducted
What social supports are given to sexual relationships
Sexuality is socially defined and patterned.
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The Social Basis of Sexuality
Human sexual attitudes and behavior vary in different cultural contexts.
Sexual attitudes and behavior change over time.
Sexual identity is learned.
Social institutions channel and direct human sexuality.
Sex is influenced by economic forces in society.
Public policies regulate sexual and reproductive behaviors.
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Same-Sex Recognition Globally
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The Origins of Sexual Orientation
No single theory can explain diversity in sexual orientation
Beliefs about what “causes” homosexuality
Can sexual orientation be changed?
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The Origins of Sexual Orientation
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Prejudice Against LBGTQ
Oppression and Privilege
Heterosexism
Homophobia and Biphobia
Cultural Origins of Bias
Religion
Gender roles
Myths
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Discrimination Against LGTBQ
Workplace discrimination and harassment
Civilian and military
Marriage inequality
Same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states
May not guarantee equal treatment
Kim Davis – Rowan County, Kentucky clerk
Lakewood Bakery – Colorado
Sweet Cakes by Melissa – Oregon
Children and parental rights
Criminal justice
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Sex and Social Issues
Subjects of public concern include:
Birth control
New reproductive technology
Abortion
Pornography and the sexualization of culture
Teen pregnancy
Sexual violence
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Sociological Theories
Functionalist Perspective
Non-heterosexual relations are “deviant”
Conflict Perspective
Struggle represent division in society between those with power and those without power.
Symbolic Interactionist Perspective
Meanings of sexual orientation are socially constructed
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Queer Theory
Evolved from recognizing the socially constructed nature of sexual identity
Interprets society as forcing these sexual boundaries, or dichotomies, on people.
Queer theory challenges the idea that only one form of sexuality is normal and all other forms are deviant or wrong.
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Strategies for Action: Toward Equality for All
Media influence
Ending workplace discrimination
Laws and Public Policy
Equality Act of 2015
Amends Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include sexual orientation and gender identity
Currently outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin
Parental Rights
Hate Crime Legislation
Education programs
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