Gender Roles and Relationships

Gender Roles and Relationships Definitions: sex gender identity gender role 11/28/2018

Gender Roles and Relationships Nature or Nurture? (Biology vs. Environment) Biological Evidence – We display masculine and feminine traits based on our biology, genetic influences Babies injected at birth with opposite sex hormones take on characteristics of the opposite sex, animal and human studies Inherent biological differences which influence behavior – males vs. female brains, hormones which influence aggression/emotionality Universal differences across cultures – men more aggressive, women more nurturing 11/28/2018

Gender Roles and Relationships Cultural Evidence – We learn to masculine and feminine traits based on our culture/environmental influences Research – Mead Study – 3 New Guinea Tribes Raised in Separate Environments: Arapesh – men and women displayed “feminine” traits, both males and females trained to be cooperative, unaggressive and responsive to others Mundugumor –men and women developed “masculine” traits, they were ruthless and aggressive, not maternal Tchambuli –roles were reversed, women became dominant and impersonal, men less responsible and more dependent 11/28/2018

Gender Roles and Relationships Sources of cultural influence Parents – Children identify and model behavior of same sex parents Media (Television and Movies) - males and females depicted differently in movies, TV School – Gender concepts are taught in the classroom toys professions encouraged behaviors rewarded differently 11/28/2018

Gender Roles and Relationships Masculine and Feminine Stereotypes – Masculinity – more instrumental traits Femininity – more expressive traits Problems with stereotypes – forcing everyone to fit the same mold limits personality and personal achievement – women need assertiveness in career world, men need sensitivity and cooperation in family world 11/28/2018

Gender Roles and Relationships Gender Roles in Relationships – Men initiate in some areas still, women follow – planning dates, paying for dates, first kiss, marriage proposals, etc. Double standards – men are more sexually aggressive and more promiscuous, women are more judged/criticized for the same behaviors Women as givers, men as receivers In families, women are still doing 2x as much of the housework and childcare despite being more in the work force reasons for this possible solutions 11/28/2018

Gender Roles and Relationships Androgyny – Today there is a gradual mixing of male and female characteristic, people choose behaviors in response to the situation Some indication this may be psychologically healthier Some arguments against this See Bem and Spence questionnaire 11/28/2018