Sex and Gender
Sex The “biological characteristics” of a person sex organs related to reproduction XY Chromosomes physical features (more evident in puberty) They distinguish us as: “male or female”
Gender The “social characteristics” that a society considers proper Determines femininity and masculinity We “learn” these characteristics from society
You inherit your sex but you learn your gender….. What does society teach you? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9_w2zmIyOk&feature=related Mona Lisa Smile – Gender roles Watson (Julia Roberts) strongly encourages her students to be independent women, seeing their potential to be more than subservient accessories to a man’s household. Examples of current gender bias in advertisement: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djDBMryseB0 Clorox – Who’s job is the laundry? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owGykVbfgUE Old Spice
Gender is a Master Status No matter where we go in life we carry the label of male or female These labels carry “images” and “expectations” guides our behavior Serves as the basis for power and privilege
*Barbie and GI Joe are examples of gender-based toys because they reinforce cultural and societal norms and roles.
Extreme pictures of kids and their stuff!
Job Segregation
How do sociologists view behavior? Majority argue that gender-related behavior is not primarily the result of biology. Look more at the culture for clues. Sociologists have concluded that while biological characteristics exist, they can be modified through social experiences. Men and women can learn to be submissive or aggressive. ***Males are: 10% taller than females 20% heavier than females 30% stronger, especially in their upper bodies Females life expectancy is 79.5 while males is 74.1 years
Babe Ruth In the 1930’s Babe Ruth was making $100,000 a year as a professional baseball player. It took 40 years before a female athlete would earn $100,000. Is this difference in salaries an example of patriarchy or capitalism? Can you name the female athlete and the sport in which she competed?
Traditional Gender Traits Male Dominant Independent Intelligent Competent Rational Assertive Strong Brave Ambitious Active Competitive Insensitive Sexually aggressive Attractive because of achievement
Traditional Gender Traits Female Submissive Emotional Intuitive Cooperative Content Sex object Dependent Incapable Receptive Passive Sensitive Attractive because of physical appearance
http://digital.films.com/play/D3QJRP http://www.thesociologicalcinema.com/1/post/2012/09/the-secret-life-of-boys.html http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2013/02/20/yes-were-still-gendering-everything/