Gender and Socialization

Chapter 2

Links• Intersex on 20/20: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv1yk2Va9qc• Pregnant man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNkZhcmorOw• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jho1UCPDqXg&feature=related• David Reimer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GazeE8KHIfE• Killing us softly

– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FpyGwP3yzE Youtube 6min version– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTlmho_RovY&feature=relmfu 5 min

version– http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1993368502337678412# full

version• Dreamworlds:

http://www.documentarywire.com/dreamworlds-3-desire-sex-power-in-music-video

• We tend to associate stereotypically female characteristics with weakness and typically male characteristics with strength.

• He’s firm, but she’s stubborn.• He’s careful about details, but she’s picky.• He’s honest, but she’s opinionated.• He’s raising good points, but she’s “bitchy.”We tend to see men as strong, not emotional and women as

emotional and not strong, although we have seen those stereotypes change through the years and we are seeing them change even more.

Gender Myths

Sex and Gender

• What is the difference?

Sex• Biological distinction between females and males.• Factors used to determine biological sex:– Chromosomes: XX for female; XY for male– Gonads: Ovaries for female; testes for male– Hormones– Internal sex organs– External genitals

• What does it mean if an individual is born intersexed?

Gender

• Gender is more fluid—refers to the social and psychological characteristics associated with being male or female– it represents learned attitudes and behaviors that

characterize people as men or women.

– The nature-nurture debate?• The story of David Reimer

Gender and Socialization

• Socialization– The process through which we learn attitudes,

values, beliefs, and behaviors appropriate to the social positions we occupy• Gender roles: The social norms that dictate what is

socially regarded as appropriate female and male behavior

• When does gender role socialization begin?

Gender Roles in the United States

• Gender-Role Socialization– Boys must be masculine

• Active• Aggressive• Tough• Daring• Dominant

– Girls must be feminine• Soft• Emotional• Sweet• Submissive

• What are sex roles?

Gender Identity

• Gender identity is the psychological state of viewing oneself as a girl or boy, man or woman. – Gender dysphoria• Transexuals

– The pregnant man?

Gender Role Ideology

• Refers to beliefs about the proper roel relationships between women and men in a given society– What is traditional American gender role

ideology?

Theories of Gender Development

• Biosocial Theory (sociobiology)– Parental investment – controversial

• Social learning theory– Reward and punishment – modeling

Theories of Gender Development

• Identification theory Identification, observation, and modeling

• Cognitive-development theory– Blends biological and social learning views• Biological readiness influences how the child interacts

with the environment

Gender and Socialization Agents

• If sociology takes the stance that gender roles are learned through interaction with the environment, what influences the individual to behave as a man or woman?

Gender and Socialization Agents

• Family• Race/Ethnicity• Peers• Religion• Education• Economy• Mass media

Gender Stereotypes are expectations about how people will look, act, think, and feel based on their sex.

Such expectations can have negative physical and psychological consequences for males and females

• How do forms of media portray gender norms and stereotypes?– What forms of media?

• What are the primary cultural messages that the media tells us about what it is to be male or female?– Video

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of being male and female?

Traditional View and Gender Roles

• Instrumental roles tend to be occupied by men in our society. They must be the provider and protector of the family.

• Expressive roles in our society tend to be played by women—they provide emotional support to the family, nurturing, etc.– Should the man be the boss of the family?– Why do traditional roles continue?

Consequences of traditional female gender roles

Positive• Longer life• Stronger relationships focus• Keeps relationships on track• Bonding with children• Identity not tied to job

Negative• Less education/income• Feminization of poverty• Higher STD infection risk• Negative body image• Less marital satisfaction

Consequences of traditional male role socialization

Positive• Higher income/occupational

status• More positive self concept• Less job discrimination• Happier marriage

Negative• Identity tied to work role• Limited emotionality• Fear of intimacy• Shorter life

• Do you think that gender roles are changing?– Are men becoming more feminine? Are women

becoming more masculine?

– What is Androgyny?

Sexism and Sex Discrimination

• Women suffer from sexism: attitude, action, or institutional structure that subordinates or discriminates against individuals or groups because of their biological sex.

• U.S. society has traditionally been run by male-dominated institutions: –Which institutions are still dominated by

men?

Male Domination

• Does male domination exist in:– Politics?– Religion?– Media?– Family?– Economy?

Emergence of a Collective Consciousness

• Feminism: belief in social, economic, and political equality for women– Early 19th century feminists won many victories,

including 19th Amendment– 2nd feminism wave emerged in U.S. in 1960s– As women became aware of sexist

attitudes and practices, began to challenge male dominance and continue to