Understanding Sexuality

Chapter 27

A gender role is one of society’s most

fundamental roles. Your society teaches you its definitions of male

and female behavior. You learn gender roles in your family through

observation and imitation. Gender roles are part of your personal

identity. They are the behavior and characteristics expected of a male or female.

Personal Identity

Gender roles have changed a lot over history. They used to be much more defined. In

traditional gender roles, women were expected to stay home and raise the family while men went out and worked.

  Now women are free to do all the things that

men can, and men are encouraged to take equal part in their family lives.

Gender Role History

Family is one of the biggest

influences on a person, especially when it comes to gender identity.

Your peers, community and surrounding media will also influence .

Peers often imitate one another.

Influences

Movies, sitcoms, reality shows, books,

songs, and music videos all depict different relationships between men, women and romantic partners.

The messages often contradict each other.

Media Influences

there is the whole

“Men are from Mars and

Women are from Venus”

And then again….

Differences Between Men and

Women

Physiological Differences

Girls Boys

Talk, develop vocabulary, pronunciation and read earlier, better memory.

Like toys with faces; stuffed animals and dolls.

Use both hemispheres of the brain.

Left side of brain develops faster—better at math, problem solving, building and figuring out puzzles.

Like blocks or anything that can be manipulated.

Social Influences--

Infants

Girls Boys

Speak softer and express more “cooing” with.

Caressed and stroked more.

Mothers show a wider range of emotional responses to girls than boys.

Speak louder to…”Hey big guy!”

Handled more physically and robustly, bounced more.

Fathers speak to using “Command Terms”

Developmental

Differences

Girls Boys

Nursery rhymes, books etc. stereotype damsel in distress, frumpy housewife, sexy heroine .

Use more terms of endearment.

Those who act like tomboys are accepted.

Talk about other people.Age 12-18: Biggest event-

having a boyfriend.

Get away with more aggressive antisocial behavior in school and home.

Boys who act like girls are reprimanded.

Talk about things and activities.

Age 12-18: Biggest event-equally interested in sex, cars and sports.

Values and Self Esteem as Adults

Women Men

Value love, communication, beauty and relationships.

Her sense of self is defined through their feelings and quality of their relationships.

Personal expression in clothes and feeling are very important.

Offering help is a sign of strength.Concerned about physical

attractiveness.When men are preoccupied with

work or money, women interpret it as rejection.

His sense of self is defined by his achievements.

More interested in objects and things.

Rarely talk about their problems-sign of weakness.

More aggressive, combative and territorial.

Self esteem is career-related.Devastated by failure and

financial setbacks.Hate to ask for information.

Other Differences

Women Men

Intuitive, holistic, creative and integrative.

In touch with wider range of feelings.

Aesthetically-oriented and functional.

More sensitive to sounds and smells

“Atmosphere” –want a warm homey nest

Logical, analytical and rational.Difficult time relating to their

own feelings.Actually more vulnerable and

dependent on relationships, devastated by the ending since they have fewer friends.

More at ease with their angry feelings.

More functional in problem-solving.

See housework as demeaning

Most frequent complaint:Men: Women are always trying to

change them.Women: Men don’t listen.

Complaints

Women need intimacy and

connection. Caring, understanding, respect, devotion, validation and reassurance.

She is motivated when she feels special or cherished.

What Women Want

Women want empathy, men offer solutions.

Men feel responsible for women’s problems.Men will try to change a woman’s mood by offering solutions to her problems.Men assume women want advice, women want them to listen.

It’s better if:Men don’t offer solutions until the woman has calmed down.

What Women Want

Men need status and

independence. Trust, acceptance, appreciation, admiration, approval and encouragement.

They are motivated when they feel needed.

His biggest fear is that he is not good enough or not competent enough.

What a Man Wants

Women try to change a man’s behavior by offering advice and criticism.

When women give advice, men hear that they aren’t competent.

It’s better if:Men appreciate advice and criticism when

it is requested.

What a Man Wants

THE END