Chapter 5 Gender Issues

Sex and Gender Definitions

• Sex– genetic, anatomical

• Gender– psychosocial meaning of maleness and femaleness

• Gender Identity– subjective sense of being male or female

• Gender (Sex) Role– cultural norms for male and female behavior

Gender-Identity Formation

• Typical prenatal differentiation

– 23 human chromosomes• 22 autosomes and 1 sex chromosome

– Chromosomal sex• XX: female XY: male

– DSS gene on X– SRY gene on Y

Typical Prenatal Differentiation

Typical Prenatal Differentiation

• Gonadal sex– Ovaries or testes

• Hormonal sex– Estrogens and androgens

Typical Prenatal Differentiation

• Internal structures– Müllerian duct

• Males – Vas deferens, seminal vesicles, ejaculatory duct– Wolffian duct

• Females – Fallopian tubes, uterus, inner 1/3 vagina

• External structures– Genital tubercle

• Clitoris or penis– Labioscrotal swelling

• Labia or scrotum

Prenatal Differentiation of Internal Structures

Prenatal Differentiation of External Genitals

Homologous Sex Organs

Sex Differentiation Of The Brain

• Hypothalamus– Differentiates in pregnancy– Directs production of sex hormones– May influence sex differences and sexual functioning

• Cerebral hemispheres

• Corpus callosum

Parts of the Brain

Atypical Prenatal Differentiation

• Intersexed– True hermaphrodites– Pseudohermaphrodites

• Sex chromosome disorders– Turner’s syndrome XO– Klinefelter’s syndrome XXY

Atypical Prenatal Differentiation

• Disorders affecting prenatal hormonal processes

– Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS)– Fetally androgenized females– DHT-deficient males

Atypical Prenatal Differentiation

Social Learning Influences on Gender Identity

• Firm gender identity by age 3• Mead study

– Culture determines gender role• Long-term case studies by Money

– Psychosexually neutral at birth• Follow-up of Money’s cases by Diamond• Another case often overlooked (Bradley)• Long-term problems with surgical reassignment

The Interactional Model

• Nature– Biological determinants

• Nurture– Social learning and the environment

• Acknowledge the interaction of both

• Relative roles are still unclear

Transsexualism and Transgenderism

• Transexualism– Gender identity is opposite to biological sex

• Transgendered– Appearance and/or behavior does not conform to

traditional gender roles– Variations of transgendered behaviors

• Intersexed people• Gender Identity vs. sexual orientation

Transsexualism

• Etiology• Options

– Gender blending/cross-dressing– Psychotherapy– Sex reassignment

• Outcomes

Gender Roles

• Gender-based stereotypes (North American)– Males

• Independent and aggressive– Females

• Dependent and submissive• Recent trend away from rigid stereotypes

– Women less entrenched than men in rigid gender-role stereotypes

• Ethnic variation in gender roles

Gender RolesAgents of Socialization

• Parental expectations• Peers • School teachers and textbooks• Television and gender-based stereotypes• Religious training

Gender Role Expectations

• Women undersexed, men oversexed• Men initiate, women receive• Women as controllers, men as movers• Men are unemotional and strong• Women are nurturing and supportive

AndrogynyTranscending Gender Roles

• Having characteristics of both sexes• Benefits• Drawbacks

• May show more flexibility and comfort with sexuality