1. GENDER & SEXUAL ORIENTATON
Terminology
Innate – existing in a person from birth.
Sex – refers to an individual’s biological identity as male or female.

2. GENDER & SEXUAL ORIENTATON
Terminology Cont. Gender – the meaning of being male or female in a particular society. Gender role – the attitudes and behavior that are expected of men and women in a society.

3. Gender and Biology
Most of the traits identified as masculine or feminine are sociocultural, rather than biological.

4. Issues of Concern to Men
The meaning of masculinity in a time of changing gender roles. The meaning of being a father and a husband in the face of feminist assertions and cultural expectations.

5. Issues of Concern to Men
The rights of divorced and single fathers. Perceived discriminatory treatment by lawyers and courts in divorce and child custody hearings.

6. Gender Inequality and the Quality of Life
The proportion of married women in the labor force rose from 23.8% in 1950 to 61% in 2010.
Income Inequality
“Glass ceiling”

7. Beauty Myth & Body Image
The Beauty Myth – a woman must be beautiful to be acceptable and attractive.
Leads to eating disorders
Cosmetics industry
Cosmetic surgery
Harassment and Violence
Sexual harassment

8. Social Structural Factors
The Normative Role of the
Female
Gender roles
Traditional roles for the American female

9. Social Structural Factors
Socialization: Home, School, and the Mass Media The Economics of Gender Inequality The Religious Justification

10. Social Psychological Factors
Attitudes Ideology

11. Homosexuality & Homophobia
Homosexual: an individual who has a sexual preference for those of the same sex and who also defines himself or herself as homosexual.
Homophobia: an irrational fear of homosexuals.
Bisexual: finding gratification with both sexes and having no strong preference for either.

12. Numbers
2.7% of sexually active men and 1.3% of sexually active women had a homosexual experience in the past year.
9.1% of men and 4.3% of women have had a homosexual experience since puberty.

13. Numbers
Approximately 3 to 4% of American men and 2 to 3% of American women prefer to be exclusively homosexual.

14. Myths About Homosexuality
Homosexuals have characteristics that are normal for the opposite sex. Homosexuals fear, and are incapable of having, heterosexual relationships. People typically become homosexual by being seduced by a homosexual.

15. Myths About Homosexuality
A homosexual is attracted to, and will make advances to, anyone of his or her own sex, children as well as adults. Homosexuals do not form the same type of long-term attachments as heterosexuals.

16. Public Opinion on Homosexuality
A majority of Americans now believe same-sex marriage should be legal.
43.5% say that sexual relationships between two adults of the same sex is “always wrong”
Varies by age: Only 26.0% of those agree
In 1987, 75% of people agreed—a dramatic shift