1. Gender Roles and Relationships

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

3. 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
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4. 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
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5. 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
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6. 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
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7. 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
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8. 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