Chapter 10, Gender Distinguishing Sex and Gender Mechanisms of Perpetuating gender Ideals Gender, Ethnicity, Race and the State

Sex As a Biological Characteristic Sex is determined by anatomical traits necessary for reproduction. Biological sex is not a clear cut category, some babies are born intersexed. On the basis of variations in external genitalia, there could be as many as 98 subcategories of “true hermaphrodite”.

Gender As a Social Construct Gender is based on culturally conceived and learned ideas about appropriate appearance, behavior, and mental or emotional characteristics for males and females. Differences between males and females are often socially created.

Penalties Associated With Being Male: Student Voices Lower life expectancy. Breadwinner responsibility. Most dangerous occupations. Higher insurance rates. More likely to pay for dates. Constraints on emotions. Expected to be successful and athletic.

Penalties Associated With Being Male: Student Voices Expected to have high tolerance for discomfort. Less likely to get help when in trouble. Pressured to ask women out and to ask for their hand in marriage. Expected and pressured to take on a role as protector. More difficult for men to get custody of children.

Penalties Associated With Being Female: Student Voices Childbearing experience (if unplanned and unwanted). Lower pay. Fewer career choices. Career choices likely to conflict with family responsibilities. More time and attention paid to physical appearance.

Penalties Associated With Being Female: Student Voices Strength and athletic ability less likely to be developed to full potential. Have to work harder to be taken seriously. Child more likely to carry father's name. More likely to be responsible for housework and child care. More likely to have to wait for men to ask them out and ask them to marry.

Privileges Associated With Being Male: Student Voices Better pay. Career not as likely to interfere with family. Greater career opportunities. Greater opportunities and respect in world of sports. Fewer constraints on physical appearance.

Privileges Associated With Being Male: Student Voices Less expensive to dress for success. More likely to be taken seriously. Less likely to have multiple sexual experiences evaluated harshly. More likely to be labeled as role models and heroes. More likely to experience independence at an earlier age.

Privileges Associated With Being Female: Student Voices Childbearing experience (when planned and wanted). Less likely to be considered a crime suspect. Fewer social costs for choosing not to work and being supported by husband.

Privileges Associated With Being Female: Student Voices Can use physical appearance to “get results” from a man. More likely to receive help if in trouble. Easier for women to behave and dress in ways considered masculine. Easier for women to freely express a wide range of emotions.

Factors in Perpetuating Gender Ideals Socialization - parents, schools, other kids Situational constraints - occupations segregated by sex, gender appropriate assignments at work Ideologies-ideas that support sexism, but are not supported by scientific investigation

Labor Market Practices that Disadvantage Women Positions that are considered sex-appropriate (teacher, secretary). Specializing in fields that require working with children and young adults, supervising other women. Part-time jobs that offer flexible hours to meet care-giving responsibilities.

Sexism: Three Notions 1. People can be classified into two categories: male and female. 2. Primary sex characteristics explain emotional activity, body language, personality, intelligence, sexual desire and athletic ability. 3. Primary sex characterizes explain social economic and political inequalities between the sexes.

Areas of Women’s Lives Over Which the State May Exert Control Sociologists Anthias and Yuval-Davis argue that women’s link to the state is complex because of their role in human production. 1. Women as biological reproducers of babies of a particular ethnicity or race. 2. Women as reproducer of the boundaries of ethnic or national groups.

Areas of Women’s Lives Over Which the State May Exert Control 3. Women as transmitters of social value and culture. 4. Women as symbols of urgent issues. 5. Women as participants in national, economic and military struggles.