2. Sex and Gender
Sex: refers to biological differences; chromosomes, hormonal profiles,
internal and external sex organs.
Gender: describes the characteristics that a society or culture delineates as
masculine or feminine.
Gender Identity: Is the subjective capture that a person has about himself,
as to feel man or woman
Homophobia: is rejection, fear, repudiation, prejudice or discrimination
against lesbian, gay or bisexual people.
Heterosexism: is a system of attitudes, biases and discrimination that is in
favor of a sexuality between opposite sexes
3. Transgender: are people who identify with the opposite gender of their
physiological birth characteristics.
Transsexual: is the person who acquires the physical characteristics of
people of the opposite sex through hormonal or surgical treatment.
Homosexual: is the person who feels sexual attraction for people of the
same sex.
4. Gender
Gender Roles On United States:
In U.S. culture, masculine roles are usually associated with strength,
aggression, and dominance, while feminine roles are usually associated
with passivity, nurturing, and subordination.
Stratification of Gender:
Stratification refers to a system in which groups of people experience
unequal access to basic, yet highly valuable, social resources.
5. Theoretical Perspectives on Gender
Structural Functionalism:
Viewing the family as the most integral component of society, assumptions
about gender roles within marriage assume a prominent place in this
perspective.
Conflict Theory:
society is a struggle for dominance among social groups (like women versus
men) that compete for scarce resources.
Feminist Theory:
Feminist theory is a type of conflict theory that examines inequalities in
gender-related issues. It uses the conflict approach to examine the
maintenance of gender roles and inequalities.
Symbolic Interactionism:
Symbolic interactionism aims to understand human behavior by analyzing the
critical role of symbols in human interaction.
6. Sex and Sexuality
Attitudes Associated with Sex and Sexuality:
Sexual behavior is based on the mores and values of the society.
Sexual Inequality:
Gender inequality is the phenomenon that occurs when one gender, male
or female, has privileges above the other.
Theoretical perspectives on Sex and Sexuality
Structural Functionalism:
When it comes to sexuality, functionalists stress the importance of
regulating sexual behavior to ensure marital cohesion and family stability.
7. Conflict Theory:
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.
Symbolic Interactionism:
Is focused on the meanings associated with sexuality and with sexual
orientation.
Queer Theory:
Is an interdisciplinary approach to sexuality studies that identifies Western
society’s rigid splitting of gender into male and female roles and questions
the manner in which we have been taught to think about sexual
orientation.