Concepts & Themes

What do these mean? Sex of a person Gender of a person Gender identity Sexual identity *Give examples/ characteristics of each

What is the Sex of a Person? Defining biological & physiological characteristics Primary Secondary Male, female Intersex Adrenogenital syndrome (AGS) ~ 1/10,000 born intersex ‘Syndrome’??? Issues? Intersex support groups, advocates ¤ ???

What is Gender? Socially constructed binary -Male (sex) = masculine (gender) Female (sex) = feminine (gender) Role: Doctor or nurse? Behavior: Wear pants or a skirt? Activities: Play with trucks or dolls? Attribute: Assertive or submissive? ¤

Gender (cont.) Consequence? Society dictates gender norms Expected to adopt gender norms that match biological sex Expected to accept the norms that match sex/gender Society dictates gender norms Public: Economic, political, educational, religious, communal, etc. Domestic: Familial Society dictates acceptable relationships Heterosexual is the norm = what is ‘right’ ¤

Gender & Identity One’s defined perception of their gender Issue: May contradict gender norms Androgynous, pangender Both traits- physical and/or identity Transgender Sex/gender don’t match Change to match gender identity Third gender recognition NZ, Australia, India, Nepal as legal status issue ¤ https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/apr/16/india-third-gender-claims-place-in-law

What is Sexual Identity? One’s defined sexual orientation/ partner preference Heterosexual Homosexual (gay, lesbian) Try to fit into hetero-norms Bisexual Pansexual Transgender is about gender identity Doesn’t define sexual orientation ¤ https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/20/gay-couples-gender-roles_n_7101010.html

Labels Why do we use labels? Easier to communicate Easier to process information Evolves out of social norms Problems? Creates the ‘other’ ¤

Main Themes Basis for sex & gender inequality Challenging these norms Historical events & influences Institutions & organizations Socialization Private property Challenging these norms Activism, empowerment Women’s, intersex, transgender rights as human rts. Variables to consider Multiculturalism Intersectionality Contextualizing issues and activism Ethnocentrism ¤