Gender and gender roles can be complex topics with biological, social, and cultural components. Biologically, sex is determined by genetic or anatomical characteristics, while gender refers to social and cultural roles associated with being male or female. Gender identity develops from a combination of biological and environmental factors. Traditional Western views emphasized polar masculine and feminine traits and roles, but modern perspectives recognize more fluidity and diversity in gender expressions. Conditions like intersexuality or transgenderism also show that biological sex and gender identity do not always align.

1. Chapter 5 Gender and Gender Roles

2. Sex, Gender, and Gender Roles Sex: whether one is biologically female, male, or intersex Genetic sex : chromosomal and hormonal sex characteristics Anatomical sex: our physical sex; gonads, uterus, vulva, vagina, or penis Gender: social and cultural characteristics associated with being male or female Gender identity: gender one believes self to be

3. Sex and Gender Identity Assigned gender Based on anatomical appearance Gender variations Gender identity Internalized feeling of femaleness or maleness Gender role The attitudes, behaviors, rights, and responsibilities that society associates with each sex Influenced by culture, age, ethnicity, other factors

4. Gender-Roles Gender-role stereotype: A rigidly-held oversimplified belief concerning all males or all females Gender-role attitude: The belief one has for self and others concerning what’s appropriate for male or female traits Gender-role behavior: Activities or behaviors a person engages in as a female or male

5. Masculinity and Femininity Sexes seen as polar opposites in traditional Western view, e.g. “opposite sex” Different qualities associated with different genders Sexism Some qualities are biologically based, some culturally based

6. Gender and Sexual Orientation Gender, gender identity, and gender role are conceptually independent of sexual orientation However, many assume they are closely related Heterosexuality has been assumed to be part of masculinity and femininity Therefore, some believe that gay men can’t be masculine and lesbian women can’t be feminine.

7. Gender and Sexual Orientation Studies show a link between individuals’ Negative attitudes towards gay and lesbian people And those individuals’ adherence to traditional gender roles

8. Gender Theory What is our relationship between our biological sex as male or female and our gender role as masculine or feminine? Do we act the way we act because our gender role is bred in us or because of socialization? Gender Theory developed as a field in the ’80s and ’90s to explore the role of gender in society

9. Gender Theory Seeks to understand society through understanding how its organized by gender Views gender as a basic element in social relationships Examines socially-perceived differences between genders that are used to justify unequal power relationships

10. Gender Theory in Psychology In psychology, gender theory focuses on: How gender is created and what its purposes are How specific traits, behaviors, and roles are defined as male or female How gender creates advantages and disadvantages Gender theory rejects the idea that gender differences are primarily biologically-driven Operates from a social-constructivist framework

11. Theories of Socialization Social learning theory Cognitive development theory

12. Cognitive Social Learning Theory Emphasizes consequences as shaping gender related behavior Cognition: Mental processes such as evaluation and reflection Includes ability to use language Anticipate consequences Modeling

13. Cognitive Development Theory Focuses on children’s active interpretation of gender messages at various developmental stages Argues that after age 6 or 7, motivation to act like one’s gender is primarily internal, and that gender-role behavior is intrinsic

14. Social Construction Theory Gender expression is an outcome of Power Language Meaning Relationship to sexual orientation Women Men

15. Gender-Role Learning: Childhood and Adolescence Parents as socializing agents Manipulation Channeling Verbal appellation Activity exposure Connections between sons and mothers Ethnic groups

16. Gender-Role Learning: Childhood and Adolescence Teachers as Socializing agents Females are more common Bias in presentation of topics Peers as socializing agents Play Approval Perceptions Media

17. Gender Schemas: Exaggerating Differences Interrelated ideas which help information processing Cognitive organization of world by gender Emphasize dichotomy Minimize valuing of the individual

18. Contemporary Gender Roles Women’s roles have changed Men’s roles have changed Must include diverse groups Egalitarian approach to gender roles

19. Traditional Male Gender Role Aggressiveness Emotional toughness Independence Feelings of superiority Decisiveness Power orientation Competitiveness Dominance Violence

20. Traditional Male Sexual Scripts: Zilbergeld Men should not have or express certain feelings Performance is the only thing that counts The man is in charge A man always wants sex and is ready for it All physical contact leads to sex Sex equals intercourse Sexual intercourse leads to orgasm

21. Traditional Female Gender Role There are striking ethnic differences in female role American middle-class Whites: women as wives and mothers. Recently includes work outside the home African Americans: more egalitarian roles for men and women Latinas: women subordinate to men out of respect; Gender role affected by age

22. Traditional Female Sexual Scripts: Barbach Sex is good and bad It’s not okay to touch yourself “down there” Sex is for men Men should know what women want Women shouldn’t talk about sex Women should look like models Women are nurturers: they give, men receive There is only one right way to have an orgasm

23. Changing Gender Roles Egalitarian position Androgyny: flexibility in gender roles, combining elements of each traditional role

24. Contemporary Sexual Scripts Sexual expression is positive Sexual activities involve a mutual exchange of erotic pleasure Sexuality is equally involving, and both partners are equally responsible Legitimate sexual activities are not limited to intercourse but also include masturbation and oral-genital sex Sexual activities may be initiated by either partner Both partners have a right to experience orgasm, whether through intercourse, oral-genital sex, or manual stimulation Non-marital sex is acceptable within a relationship context

25. Androgyny Unique combination Combination or instrumental and expressive traits Difficulties with expression and expectation

26. When Sex is Ambiguous Intersexuality Tran sexuality Transgenderism

27. Intersexuality Describes people who possess mixtures of male and female genitalia or reproductive physiology Prevalence ranges from .0128% to 1.7% of population. Known until recently as “hermaphrodites” Shrouded in secrecy by families and medical establishments in the past

28. Intersexuality Hermaphrodites: Old terminology Ambiguous genitals: 1/2000 births Blended gonads or both gonads One ovary and one testis, or testes containing ovarian tissue Known until recently as “hermaphrodites”

29. Chromosomal Anomalies: Turner Syndrome Females who lack a chromosome: XO rather than XX Occurs in 1/1666 live births Female external appearance No ovaries Hormonal therapy Assisted fertility

30. Chromosomal Anomalies: Klinefelter Syndrome Males who have extra X chromosomes: XXY, XXXY, or XXXXY rather than XY Occurs in 1/1000 live births Variable effects; many men never diagnosed. Small firm testes; some female physical traits Lower testosterone levels

31. Hormonal Disorders: Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome Inherited condition occurring in 1/13,000 individuals Genetic males whose tissues to not respond to testosterone Female genitals, no female internal organs At puberty, develops hips and breasts, no pubic hair and no menstruation Many experience female gender identity

32. Hormonal Disorders: Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia A genetic female with ovaries and a vagina develops externally as a male Due to malfunctioning of adrenal gland Occurs in 1/13,000 live births At birth, child has ambiguous genitalia In the past, doctors and families choose to assign female gender at birth

33. Hormonal Disorders: DHT Deficiency Internal male organs Clitoris-like penis at birth Undescended testes at birth Testes descend at puberty and penis grows Socialization

34. A Related Condition: Hypospadias Urethral opening located at non traditional location Urethra exists on underside of glans midway through the underside of the shaft or at the base of the scrotum Occurs in 1/770 male births Repair is possible

35. Gender Identity Disorder Defined by the APA as a strong and persistent cross-gender identification and persistent discomfort about one’s assigned sex (2000) Diagnosis not associated as hormonal or physiological Requires experience of distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other areas of functioning

36. Gender Identity Disorder The goal of treatment for people with GID is “lasting personal comfort with the gendered self” Treatment is individual and multifaceted; can affirm cross-gender identification through: Psychotherapy Real-life experience living externally as desired gender Hormonal therapy Sex-reassignment surgery

37. Transsexuality Gender identity and sexual anatomy are not congruent Prevalence of transsexuality unknown: estimated 1/50,000 people over 15 yrs May occur with heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual orientations Gender reassignment

38. Transsexual Phenomenon Transgender community embraces possibility of numerous genders and multiple social identities Other cultures recognize more than 2 genders Paradigm shift of gender dichotomy Employment protection

39. Summary Gender Gender role learning Contemporary gender roles Ambiguity and gender