1. Key: AWL to Study, Low-frequency Vocabulary
The Gender Continua
Key: AWL to Study, Low-frequency Vocabulary
What is gender? What is a continuum?

2. Cultural Norms and Expectations
Prompt people to interpret gender as two discrete polarities:
male and female
Nature’s rich diversity includes
a vast array of unique and
varied gender manifestations.
A very small number of people can
claim to be entirely male or female.
If few people can claim to be 100% male or female, what can they claim?

3. Do you agree that gender is a continuum? Explain.
Gender: A Continuum
Experts describe gender as a continuum with individuals at every point between the two extremes of male and female.
Do you agree that gender is a continuum? Explain.

4. Describe the four scales included in the gender continua.
Four Separate Scales
Describe the four scales included in the gender continua.

5. Biological Sex
Traits are assessed objectively using modern medical technology.
hormone levels
chromosome types
internal and external reproductive
systems
secondary-sex characteristics
Can you give examples of each of the four types of
biological sex characteristics?

6. Not an Either-Or Phenomenon
Real-life examples exist at every point on the scale.
Intersex Society of North America estimates
one out of every 100 people differ from the “norm.”
In this context, what is meant by the term “norm”?

7. What traits are typically associated with each gender?
Gender Identity
How people view themselves in terms of gender.
continuum with more than two categories
In an honest self-assessment, people will admit to having some traits of the
opposite sex.
What traits are typically associated with each gender?

8. Societal and Familial Expectations
May lead to discomfort or anxiety about an “inappropriate” gender characteristic
may lead to homophobic behavior.
What is homophobia?

9. In what other ways do you think gender can be communicated?
Gender Expression
Comprises the ways people communicate gender:
dress
hairstyles
mannerisms
interests
speech
Masculine and feminine expression are at either end of the continuum.
androgynous at the center
In what other ways do you think gender can be communicated?

10. Are you surprised by Kinsey’s findings? Why or why not?
Sexual Orientation
End points of the continuum:
attracted to men
attracted to women
Mid-range
bisexual and asexual people
Presumed that people are at one end or the other.
However, Alfred Kinsey’s classic studies illustrate that the majority of people exhibit an attraction to both sexes.
Are you surprised by Kinsey’s findings? Why or why not?

11. The Gender-continua Model
The full spectrum of naturally occurring gender manifestations
negates the culturally imposed, black-and-white view of gender.
equates it with infinite possibilities.
What is meant by the phrase “black-and-white view”?