The document discusses the roles of biology and culture in defining gender identities. While biological differences exist between males and females, gender identity is largely formed through social and cultural influences. Margaret Mead's studies of different tribes found that gender roles varied significantly between cultures and were not fixed by biology. The document concludes that gender identity can be modified by social and cultural factors even if biological characteristics exist.

1. Sex and Gender
Identity
Ch. 10, Sec. 1, pp. 308-115
What do you believe plays a larger role
in determining gender, culture or
biology? Explain.

2. Defining Male and Female
Sex-biological distinction between
male and female
Biological determinism is the belief
that behavioral differences are the
result of physical differences
Males are built to provide and
protect
Women are built to be passive and
perform domestic work

3. Defining Male and Female
Biological tendencies have been
shown to be weak
Gender Identity is formed by culture
and is not biological
Becoming a man or woman is a
cultural process
Sex-Biological
Gender-Cultural

4. Biology of Males and
Females
Males have larger muscle-bone ratios
Different reproductive organs produce
different hormones
Male brain-more specialized, more
activity in adaptive, evolutionary
responses side of brain
Female brain-tend to use both sides
together, more developed region for
social expression, use both ears

5. Biological Debate
Male babies are more aggressive
Men-physical appearance, younger
mate
Women-slightly older, less emphasis
on looks
Still aren’t sure the extent of biology
and culture

6. Margaret Meade’s Study
Arapesh tribe study in which both
genders were cooperative,
unaggressive, and empathetic
(female)
Mundugumor tribe showed both genders
to be ruthless and unresponsive to others
needs
Tchambuli showed gender role
reversal when compared to Western
Society

7. Sociologists Perspective
Gender roles are not fixed at birth
Children treated like the opposite sex
by parents are easily socialized to it
and resist changing back
There are many variations within each
sex
Competitive, aggressive women;
submissive, non-competitive men

8. Conclusions
While biological characteristics
exist, gender identity can be
modified through social influences
(primary groups)

9. STOP HERE ON THURSDAY!!!

10. Theoretical Perspectives
on Gender
Ch. 10, Sec. 2
pp. 316-321
How do Ken and Barbie Dolls
represent our views on male and
female gender roles in the United
States?

11. Functionalism & Gender
Any behavior that does not help
society will become unimportant
Division of male and female roles
helped society
Men were larger and muscular, but
were also expendable
Women were much more vital to
group’s chances of survival

12. Conflict and Gender
Men prevent women from gaining
influence to sustain their status
Gender roles are outdated
Marrying and having families later
have allowed women to enter the
workforce

13. Symbolic Interactionism &
Gender
Focus is on gender socialization, how
boy’s and girl’s learn how to act
Parents, peers, teachers, media

14. Role of Parents
Transfer values and attitudes
regarding how boys and girls should
behave
Toys given to each sex
Infant girls are handled more gently
Boys are often given more
“masculine” chores

15. Role of Schools
Teachers encourage different
behaviors from boys and girls
Girls may be taught to be passive
Boys were expected to be
assertive

16. Role of Peers
Peer acceptance or rejection greatly
impacts self-concepts
Respect is given to those who most
closely mirror traditional gender roles
Those who go against traditional roles
are labeled

17. Gender Inequality
Ch. 10, Sec. 3
pp. 323-329

18. Women as a Minority
Biological determinism has led to
racism as well as sexism.
Sexist ideology justifies male social
leadership positions
While women are gaining ground in
society, wide inequality gaps exist

19. Occupational Inequality
Over the last 30 years, women in the
work force have increased
significantly (46% of work force)
Occupational sex segregation has
kept most of these women at low-status
occupations
Women rarely hold high-status
positions in the business world

20. Economic Inequality
In 1997, women earned $.75 to every
$1.00 of men.
Gap has closed from $.60 in 1980
This trend exists across all
occupations, even traditionally female
jobs
World wide women almost always
earn less, except in Australia

21. Legal Inequality
Biases exist in some state laws
Health benefits for pregnancy
Refusal to keep surname (last name)
Protective legislation to limit work
hours, work load (Civil Rights Act)
Women are more likely to miss work
than men which leads to hiring bias

22. Political Inequality
Number of women in elective
positions (governors, legislators) has
been growing
Make up 50% of population but 13%
of House of Representatives and 9%
of Senate
Low percentages of women in
appointed positions (cabinet, judges)

23. STOP HERE ON FRIDAY!!!

24. Aging and the Elderly
in America
Ch. 10, sec. 4 & 5
pp.330-343
What is your overall opinion of the
elderly? What role should they have in
our society?

25. What is Ageism
Age stratification is one more way
that society can be divided
Many elderly and young people
face discrimination based on
ageism.

26. Functionalism and Ageism
Elderly are treated according to the
role they play
If they play important roles they are
more highly regarded
If they are less useful to society their
status level drops
Increased suicide rates at age 65 for
men

27. Conflict and Ageism
The elderly are competing with other
age groups for economic resources,
power and prestige
Elderly are more necessary in a pre-industrial
society
Ageism and stereotypes are weapons
used by the dominant group to force
the elderly from the labor market

28. Symbolic Interactionism
and Ageism
Children learn negative stereotypes of
elderly through the socialization
process
Stereotypes of senility, forgetfulness,
and stubbornness can not be applied
to all members of the group (just like
any other stereotype)

29. The Elderly Minority
Negative view of elderly came
from early studies, most of which
were done in institutions
Why are they a minority?

30. Elderly Economics
Elderly spend more money on
health care and housing
About 20% of elderly are “poor”
While some elderly live well off of
assets and retirement savings,
most do not

31. Elderly Economics (cont)
Discrimination and poor economic
situations for African American and
Latino elderly are magnified w/ old age
Women of these same groups are one
of the poorest segments of society
Discrimination in the workforce earlier
has put elderly women at a high
economic disadvantage

32. “Gray Power”
Elderly have power in the political
system
Voter turnout for elderly is nearly
double that of those half their age
If elderly could put differences aside,
they could become a very strong
political voice
Membership in interest groups gains
more power for the elderly