1. Gender

2. Two Primary Issues
The Cultural construction of Gender
Gender Relations

3. Sex Versus Gender Sex refers to biological differences,
Gender refers to the cultural construction of male and female characteristics. The ways members of the two sexes are perceived, evaluated and expected to behave.
(what different cultures make of sex.)

4. Gender Boundaries
We demand that the categories of male and female be discrete
since gender is culturally constructed the boundaries are conceptual rather than physical
the boundaries are dynamic, eg. now it is acceptable for men to wear earrings.
Boundaries require markers to indicate gender some of which are natural such as
Voice
Physique
Dress
Behaviour
Hair style
Kinetics
Language use

5. Gender identity Why is it important
How do we react when someone seems to have traits of each category?
social intercourse requires that the interacting parties know to which gender category `the other' belongs
Felicita Vestvali
New York opera star who specialized in singing contralto "trouser roles."

6. Is he a he? Or is he a she? Or is she a he?
How does your reaction to this image compare to the earlier one of a woman dressed as a man?
Is there a double standard?

7. Women cross dress all the time.
The difference is perception.
Acceptance or Rejection by society

8. The Relativity of Gender
If the categories `man' and `woman' are culturally constructed what are the implications?
There can be no universal meaning to the category woman or man.
What it means to be a man or a woman in a particular society is relative to that society.
we do not have to be restricted to two genders
Cross-dressing often retains clues to the underlying gender base and the resulting image appears to exist somewhere between the polarities of male and female – containing elements of both – as if a third gender had been created.

9. Third Genders
transsexual – gender/ sex incongruent, “trapped in wrong body” but with the gender identity of their organs/sex change operation
transvestite – dressing as other gender, biological sex (cross-dresser)
homosexual
bisexual
eunuch – castrated male
hermaphrodite – both sets of biological organs
Virgin?
Boy/Girl?

10. The Hijras of India and Pakistan
Hijra means hermaphrodite in Urdu but most Hijras are homosexual transvestites, some of whom have gone through a crude sex-change operation (transexual)
Cultural descendants of the court eunuchs of the Mughal Empire ( ),
Perceived neither as men nor women but as a third gender

11. getting dressed for a job entertaining at a Pakistani wedding
Hijras now earn their living as beggars, prostitutes. and by dancing at carnivals, weddings and births.
The Hijras are both feared and pitied in Pakistan, feared for their supposed ability to place curses, pitied for being outcast children of Allah. Believed to hold great power because of their close relationship with the Mother Goddess - Mata Bahuchara

12. Berdache Common among all native north American groups
George Catlin ( ) Dance to the Berdache Drawn while on the Great Plains, among the Sac and Fox Indians, the sketch depicts a ceremonial dance to celebrate the “two-spirit person”. The men tease him but vie for his recognition, which is deemed an honor.
Common among all native north American groups
In everyday life the two-spirit male typically would wear women’s clothes and do women’s work.
He would be accepted as “one of the girls.” He might take a husband tribe, or might have affairs with several, or both.
Generally two-spirit males were not expected to have sexual relations with women.

13. Multigendered people were/are usually presumed to be people of power.
Because they have both maleness and femaleness totally entwined in one body, they are known to be able to ‘see’ with the eyes of both proper men and proper women.
They are often called upon to be healers, or mediators, or interpreters of dreams.
Besides their spiritual abilities, their capacity for work also figured into the high status of two-spirit people.
Even though a two-spirit male would have taken on the gender identity of a woman, he would still have the endurance and strength of a man
We'wha ( ), a Zuni berdache, lived in New Mexico. He is shown holding a ritual vessel, dressed in women's clothing.

14. Deification, ostrazation, and medicalization are common coping strategies for societies with strong gender dichotomies, and are often based on reproductive potential
These systems do not always have to be harmful to the third gendered/sexed individual, but often are
Western societies label third sexes and genders a “problem” and therefore feel compelled to “fix” them
As we move out of an age where reproduction was our main purpose in life maybe we need to revise and expand our ideas about how gender and sex roles work with each other

15. Is it possible to have a genderless society?

16. Gender stratification:
Gender roles:
tasks and activities that a culture assigns to the sexes.
Gender stereotypes:
oversimplified but strongly held ideas of the characteristics of men and women.
Gender stratification:
an unequal distribution of rewards (socially valued resources, power, prestige, and personal freedom) between men and women, reflecting their different positions in social hierarchy.

17. Gender roles:

18. ROSIE THE RIVETER Gender Roles
All the day long, Whether rain or shine, She's a part of the assembly line. She's making history, Working for victory, Rosie the Riveter. Keeps a sharp lookout for sabatoge, Sitting up there on the fuselage. That little girl will do more than a male will do. Rosie's got a boyfriend, Charlie. Charlie, he's a Marine. Rosie is protecting Charlie, Working overtime on the riveting machine. When they gave her a production "E," She was as proud as she could be. There's something true about, Red, white, and blue about, Rosie the Riveter.
Gender Roles
Redd Evans and John Jacob Loeb, "Rosie the Riveter," (New York: Paramount Music Corp., 1942

19. In the 1940s, women were encouraged to help the war effort by getting a job outside the home. But it was family and country rather than money, status, or power that they were encouraged to toil for .
Coke 1942
“For whether she rears a family or mans a rangefinder, a woman needs the physical support of a good foundation." and "Amongst other munitions of war, Berlei are still making foundations.". 
November 1942

20. 1950s - mass consumption in high gear, TV ads idealized the woman as the wife and homemaker, and the man as the bread winner.
But also the sex kitten

21. Cascade Dishwashing Detergent
1958 issue of Lady's Home Journal. 
The man in this advertisement is envious of his hostess' spotless drinking glasses. 
Rather than giving him advice on how to get his glasses just as clear, she advises him to tell his wife to use Cascade.  
The designers of this ad assume that washing dishes is a woman's chore. 
The roles are strictly defined; it never crosses the woman's mind that Jean's husband might have something to do with dishwashing in his household. 

22. 1960s Educated women started exhibiting their discontent with the status quo. Armed with diplomas and new sophisticated birth control methods, they demanded for the right to have both career and family. The great social change in the sixties allowed a variety of depictions of women: sex kitten, nurturing mother and independent working girl.
1970s Issues like woman's lib, ethnic heritage, and critiques of capitalism. Women are shown as independent only when inexpensive items or simple decisions were involved Advertisers realized that not just white people were buying products. Ethnic people were placed in advertisements.

23. 1980s independent woman
freedom

24. 1990s 2000s
She is a "multifaceted success machine”.
She is a nurturer and a seducer.
She is the twenty-four hour a day woman, and she never sleeps.
Men are domesticated. Sex objects

25. Images of women improving?
From June 1999 issue of Glamour
Part of outstanding ad campaign that
accompanied the Women’s World Cup
“You pass on more to your children
and your grandchildren than your eye
color, You provide the living
example that they can become more
than they ever thought they could.
Because you did.
Just do it.”

26. This ad is striking because it shows a man in what is typically thought of as a woman’s role.
What does the fact that he can open the pail “without passing out” say about men?
Men are domesticated. Sex objects

27. What Men and Women Really Think
What do the models’ thoughts suggest?
What does this say about the roles of women? And of Men?
Crutchfield; Catalog for audio and video equipment.

28. Gender Stereotypes

31. A woman walked into the kitchen to find her husband stalking around with a fly swatter. she: "What are you doing?" he: "Hunting Flies" she: "Oh. Killing any?“
he: "Yep, 3 males, 2 Females,"
she: Intrigued, "How can you tell them apart?" he: "3 were on a beer can, 2 were on the phone."

34. What does this statement mean? What comes to mind
Be a Man
What does this statement mean? What comes to mind
Men never cry
Should not show emotion
Not quitters
Physically brave
Independent
Heroic and patriotic ideals
Adventurous
Shaving
First day at work - earning a wage
Initiations
tough
Courageous
Drinking
Physical strength
Sex

35. How has this Changed during the past few years?
Masculine Traits
Personality
Cognitive
Physical
Competitive
Rational
Rugged
Daring
Analytical
Muscular
Adventurous
Problem Solving
Phys. Strong
Aggressive
Quant. Skilled
Handsome
Courageous
Good Reasoning
Phys. Vigorous
Dominant
Mathematical
Brawny
self promotion & achievement
How has this Changed during the past few years?

36. Why are these cartoons humorous?

37. “Men are Supposed to be Strong”
What message does this ad send to men? Women?
Do we usually see more scantily clad men or women?
Is this what a man looks like? Should men look like this? Why or why not?
Where do our ideals of beauty come from?

38. What does this phrase mean? What comes to mind?
Act like a Lady
What does this phrase mean? What comes to mind?

39. How has this changed in the past few years?
Feminine Traits
Personality
Cognitive
Physical
Affectionate
Imaginative
Cute
Sympathetic
Intuitive
Gorgeous
Gentle
Artistic
Beautiful
Sensitive
Creative
Pretty
Supportive
Expressive
Petite
Kind
Tasteful
Sexy
focus on others, community
How has this changed in the past few years?

40. Victoria’s Secret is Revealed
What does this ad suggest women should look like?
Are these women, “Acting like Ladies?” How / Why or why not?
The current ideal of female beauty is difficult to achieve. The ideal being a young Caucasian female, height 5'8"- 5'10", weighing pounds or less. Make-up, lighting and air-brushing are used to slim down the images even more. Less than 10% of the female population are genetically destined to fit this ideal.
Victoria’s Secret, “Angels’ Collection”

41. Changing beauty standards
In 1957, Miss America was 5'7" and weighed 150 pounds.
In 2002 Miss America was 5'9 " and weighed 117 pounds
Marian McKnight Manning, S.Carolina
Katie Harman
Gresham, Oregon

42. Recent advertising trends are just as harmful to men
Unforgiving & unrealistic images
Men’s magazines encourage obsession with body image, aging & sexual prowess

43. Healthy Women What does this ad suggest about women? About men?
Why aren’t the men drinking the orange juice?

44. Gender Relations

45. Generally: Wealth, Power, and Prestige
Gender is an important dimension of social inequality
Gender stratification frequently takes the form of patriarchy whereby men dominate women
Do women in our society have a second class status relative to men? If so How?
Politics
Economics
Education
Employment
Health
Religion
Generally: Wealth, Power, and Prestige

52. Labor Force Participation for U.S. Women and Men, aged 25-55
Women’s increased participation in paid work is a central change in gender relations over the last 50 years.
Labor force participation is often seen as the prime indicator (and cause) of changes in women’s status.
Social theory often focuses on women’s employment because employment determines their access to resources and their ability to make independent decisions.

53. Gender Stratification
unequal distribution of wealth, power and privilege between men and women
In the 1970s it was argued that women are universally subordinate to men in political, economic, and public life
I.e cultures everywhere give man, as a category opposed to women, higher social value and moral worth.
Is the secondary status of women one of the true cultural universals?

54. Women’s Power in Global Perspective

55. Are women universally or always subordinate to men?

56. How does one measure gender stratification.
economic power
prestige
Autonomy
ideology
Legal rights
How deferential they are expected to be towards men.
Freedom to choose marriage partner, profession, and conception. Etc.
One has to look at the roles played by women and the value society places on those roles

57. 1. The biological argument
Explanations for the Universal subordination of Women
1. The biological argument
women's status relative to men is natural and due to biological differences:
Men’s testosterone naturally leads them to be more aggressive Women’s oestrogen makes them more compliant
Women are biologically programmed to bear and raise children which affects their economic roles
Can these differences explain male aggression
juvenile delinquency, for violent crime in general
the biological basis of warfare
the political and economic dominance of men

58. Biologically men are physically stronger than women
therefore this results in a sexual division of labour with men doing the harder work
In other words biology influences behaviour
implies that the relationship between biology and social life is one of cause and effect.
If biology explains the political and economic dominance of men then surely one must simply accept that fact

59. So much for that theory --- in many societies women are the real labourers
biological differences cannot provide a universal basis for social definitions of `man' and `woman'

60. 2. Envy theory
men may have political control but women have the power of life - giving birth
Men may arrange or exchange legal rights over women's offspring, but the power of creating life and sustaining it by breast milk remains beyond their grasp.
i.e. men are envious
again linked to biology
3. Psychological
boys try to dominate others
girls comply with parents
again linked with biology

61. Children's socialization or Gender Typing
both sexes must learn behavior that is deemed appropriate to their gender
girls from their mother's model
a boy with his father.

62. But so what
it is true, generally men are physically stronger than women
this may account for some of the division of labour
But nothing in the biological differences between the sexes can account for female subordination
female subordination is not inherent in biological differences between the sexes
what is really important is the different values that are placed on being a man or a woman or on the work that is done
An alternative explanation for the secondary status of women must be found

63. there must be some cultural or sociological regularities that must account for male dominance.
the inequalities are due to the fact that societies place different values on biological sex
and apparently universally value female sex lower than male sex
Which card is ranked higher?

64. Female is to domestic as male is to public
The domestic/public opposition is ultimately derived from woman's role as mother and rearer of children.
i.e. identification with the domestic domain is seen as a consequence of their role as mothers
has tended to limit them to certain social functions
i.e. with the rearing of children

65. Since women are confined to the domestic context, their main sphere of activity becomes familial relations
i.e. women's roles centres around the hearth and home.
domestic are those institutions and activities organized around mother-child groups

66. Men thus become identified with society and the public interest
men, however, operate in the political and public domain of social life.
they are free to form those broader associations that we call `society'
Men thus become identified with society and the public interest
The domestic sphere is considered less important than the public domain
Since women are associated with the domestic sphere and men the public, women are of lower and men of higher value.
Hubert Humphrey and Senator Thomas Carrell at a Democratic National Committee luncheon in Van Nuys, 1968

67. The Hagen of New Guinea
do associate women with the domestic realm and men with the public sphere
pursuing socially valued goals is acting like a man
pursuing individual family interests is acting like a woman
but these types of behaviour are open to both men and women
the association of the domestic with something demeaning or less than social is not a feature of Hagen thought.

68. Is the domestic sphere devalued in our society?
in Western society the family and the domestic are conceived in opposition to the public sphere of life, business, work and politics
but this cannot be considered universal
this domestic/public association it appears is a Western construct.
These ideas derived from Western thought has been imposed on other cultural situations where it does is not always apply

69. Margaret Mead Sex and Temperament in Three Primitive Societies (1935)
Male and Female (1949).
sought to discover extent temperamental differences between the sexes were culturally determined rather than innate biological
Mead found a different pattern of male and female behavior in each of the cultures she studied, all different from gender role expectations in the United States at that time.

70. The gentle mountain-dwelling Arapesh
Arapesh child-rearing responsibilities evenly divided among men and women
The fierce cannibalistic Mundugumor
a natural hostility exists between all members of the same sex”. Mundugumor fathers and sons, and mothers and daughters were adversaries.
The graceful headhunters of Tchambuli,
While men were preoccupied with art the women had the real power, controlling fishing and manufacturing

71. Relativist Position
in the non-western world we find cultural ideologies that
subordinate and exclude women,
extract their labour and child-bearing and rearing and
place them under the legal control of their fathers, brothers and husbands
ideologies which are supported as vehemently by women as by men.
Their religion may consign women to domestic roles and labour to enhance male prestige
But women portray themselves in terms of virtue and duty.

72. men and women, may be equally committed to a system of rules and meanings
even though it gives power and advantage to some of them and subordinates others.
How legitimately can we step outside this system and view it as an ideology without simply imposing our ideology on them.

73. In other words even though we can see the injustice of the system which polarize the sexes and demean women
It does not mean that women live in these societies with the strain, conflict, or negative self-images one would expect them to entail
Women are actors
women may themselves become important political actors who
influence the public political affairs of men from behind the scenes
pursue strategies of controlling labour and prestige within the constraints of the system.