1. Sex Roles
Introduction

2. Sex Roles Sex is biological
Gender is self or social conception of masculinity and femininity
Virtually every known society differentiates people on the basis of gender
Also based on male domination

3. Gender-Identity Formation
Typical prenatal differentiation (6 weeks)
23 human chromosomes
22 autosomes and 1 sex chromosome
Chromosomal sex
XX: female XY: male
DSS gene on X SRY gene on Y
Ovaries Testes

4. Typical Prenatal Differentiation Part 1
Gonadal sex
Ovaries or testes (DSS or SRY)
Hormonal sex
Estrogens & androgens (once developed release)

5. Sex Differentiation Hypothalamus Cerebral hemispheres
absent testosterone during prenatal differentiation (pregnancy)
leads to receptor cells initiating menstrual cycle
Cerebral hemispheres
Corpus callosum (thicker in women)

6. Typical Prenatal Differentiation Part 2
Internal structures
Mullerian (female) or Wolffian duct systems develop into female or male internal organs
External structures
Genital tubercle develops into clitoris or penis
Labio-scrotal swelling develops into labia or scrotum

7. Prenatal Differentiation of Internal Structures
Prenatal development of male and female duct systems from undifferentiated (before sixth week) to differentiated.

8. Prenatal Differentiation of External Genitals
Prenatal development of male and female external genitals from undifferentiated to fully differentiated.

9. Prenatal Differentiation of External Genitals
Prenatal development of male and female external genitals from undifferentiated to fully differentiated.

10. Atypical Prenatal Differentiation Part 1
Intersexed
Hermaphrodites
Both ovarian and testicular tissue
Pseudohermaphrodites
Gonads match chromosomal sex
Sex chromosome disorders (see table page 54)
Turner’s syndrome XO
Only 1 sex chromosome, external OK, internal not developed
Klinefelter’s syndrome XXY
Antomically male, sterile, little interest

11. Transsexualism and Transgenderism
Transexualism
Cross gender identification and gender dysphoria
Transgendered
People whose appearance and/or behavior does not conform to traditional gender roles
Intersexed people
Gender Identity vs. sexual orientation

12. Options for Transsexuals
Gender blending / cross-dressing
Psychotherapy
Sex reassignment

13. Doing Gender Should not be based on size Gender is active
Penis is too small, can’t possibly be a man
Gender is active
Performance with props, signs, symbols, behaviors, emotions
Sex changes vs. cross dressers as evidence

14. The Interactional Model
Acknowledgment of both nature and nurture
Relative roles are still unclear

15. Other Issues
Our culture believes certain characteristics are feminine and thus should not be part of being male
Males: independent and aggressive
Females: nonassertive, warm, and nurturant
Recent trend away from rigid stereotypes
Ethnic Variation in gender roles
What happens when women or men decide to contradict the larger culture’s views on femininity or masculinity?

16. Margaret Mead
Found that in some societies men are more emotional and feminine than the women in that society
Argued that personality differences between the sexes are cultural creations, which we are trained to conform

17. Margaret Mead Majority of society will conform, few deviants
However she wanted to know why men and women were so divided in most cultures- regardless of the division
Why are boys taught not to show fear and for girls it is okay to show fear?

18. Institutions 5 Social Institutions
Family, economy, religion, political order, and education
Let’s focus on family and school for now

19. Family
First thing known about new baby
Toys
Chores
Role models

20. School Boys and girls reinforce and teach gender
Males receive more attention in class
They need it, can’t sit still, etc.
Demand more of it, call out

21. Changes Despite this extra attention boys generally do worse in school
ADD, mentally retarded, learning disabled (71%), emotionally disturbed (81%)
Schools are run by women, for girls
Expected to sit quietly

22. Effects Boys tend to be overconfident
Girls begin to undervalue their abilities
Comparing math scores when girls and boys did the same, boys rate their abilities higher and girls lower

23. The best thing about being a boy…
Playing Sports (24.5%)
Being Strong (20.7%)
Entitlement (17.7%)
Listened to more
Allowed to do more
Greater respect

24. The best thing about being a girl…
Appearance (22.5%)
Nothing (17.7%)
More boys than girls submitted this answer
Academic Advantage (13.4%)

25. Androgyny: Transcending Gender Roles
Blending of typical male and female behaviors in one individual
Benefits and drawbacks
May show more flexibility & comfort with sexuality