Module 7: Gender, Sex, And Sexuality Objectives Define And D ✓ Solved

Module 7gender Sex And Sexualityobjectivessdefine And Differentiate B

Define and differentiate between sex and gender, and explain sexual orientation. Include definitions of homophobia and heterosexism. Define gender identity and differentiate between transgender, transsexual, and homosexual. Discuss the socialization of gender from theoretical perspectives and outline women's movements.

Describe the concepts of sex and gender; sex refers to biological and anatomical differences, including primary and secondary sex characteristics, while gender encompasses socially constructed traits associated with being male or female, learned through socialization. Explain gender roles, highlighting societal expectations such as masculinity and femininity, and how these roles are reinforced through social institutions like family, education, media, and workplace.

Define sexual orientation as a person's preference for emotional and sexual relationships with members of the same sex, opposite sex, or both, including categories like heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, and asexuality. Discuss prominent figures such as Alfred Kinsey and Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, and address issues like homophobia and heterosexism, including discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Examine gender identity, including the experience of transgender individuals, and differentiate between various terms such as transgender, transsexual, cross-dresser, gender identity disorder, and intersexed. Explore the social and medical aspects of transitioning and gender dysphoria.

Discuss gendered social institutions, such as family, education, media, and the workplace, and their roles in reinforcing gender differences and inequalities. Include topics on gender stratification in media representation and workplace discrimination, such as wage gaps and gender management styles.

Outline the legal framework aimed at promoting workplace equality, including laws like Title VII and the Equal Pay Act, and address issues like sexual harassment, its types (quid pro quo and hostile environment), and institutional sexism prevalent in society.

Trace the timeline of gender inequality, from restrictions on women's rights in historical contexts to the rise of feminist movements. Define feminism and differentiate among various perspectives such as liberal, socialist, radical, and multicultural feminism. Discuss the emergence of feminist waves, emphasizing their goals for social, economic, and political equality for women.

Present sociological perspectives on gender, including functionalist, conflict, symbolic interactionism, and queer theory, highlighting how each interprets gender roles, oppression, and social constructs.

Define sexuality as a person's capacity for sexual feelings, noting cultural differences and universal taboos such as incest. Discuss sexuality in different societies, exemplified by Sweden and the United States, and examine sex education policies and attitudes.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The distinctions between sex and gender form a foundational concept in understanding human identity and social roles. Sex pertains to biological differences such as reproductive organs and secondary characteristics, whereas gender involves societal and cultural expectations about behaviors, traits, and roles deemed appropriate for males and females. These roles are learned through socialization processes beginning early in life, shaping perceptions of masculinity and femininity specific to different societies (Connell, 2002).

Gender socialization occurs within various social institutions, especially the family, which is a primary agent of gender role transmission. For instance, parents may promote specific behaviors through role modeling, toys, and activities aligned with societal expectations. In education, teachers often reinforce gender norms, with gender performance and aspirations differing between boys and girls. Media also plays a crucial role, often portraying stereotypical gender images that influence societal perceptions and individual identities (Leaper & Friedman, 2007).

Sexual orientation, an integral part of human sexuality, refers to the enduring emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions individuals feel toward others. Alfred Kinsey's research revolutionized understanding by categorizing orientations such as heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, and asexuality (Kinsey, Pomeroy, Martin, & Gebhard, 1948). Social prejudices, notably homophobia and heterosexism, contribute to discrimination and marginalization of sexual minorities. Heterosexism describes society’s systemic bias favoring heterosexuality, while homophobia involves prejudice and discriminatory actions against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and queer individuals (Herek, 1990).

Understanding gender identity involves exploring how individuals perceive their own gender, which may or may not align with their sex assigned at birth. Transgender individuals experience a discrepancy between their gender identity and physical biology, often leading to gender dysphoria. Transitioning may involve hormone therapy and surgical procedures, although genetic and reproductive aspects remain unchanged (Wilchins, 2004). Intersexed individuals are born with ambiguous genitalia or reproductive anatomy that does not conform to typical definitions of male or female, adding complexity to gender identity debates.

Gendered institutions perpetuate societal norms through systemic reinforcement. The family, as an early and influential social unit, models gender roles, influencing children's perceptions and behaviors (Eagly & Wood, 2012). Education systems often reinforce gender stereotypes through curriculum and teacher behavior, impacting academic and career opportunities. Media representations frequently reinforce gender disparities—women are underrepresented in movies, television, video games, and news commentary—thereby shaping public perceptions about gender roles (Lauzen, 2008).

The workplace exhibits significant gender inequality, with women earning less than men—a disparity attributed to undervaluing women’s work, occupational segregation, and discriminatory practices. The wage gap is notably high in the U.S. and Canada but lower in countries like Iceland, reflecting differences in labor policies and cultural norms. Gendered management styles and gender stereotypes contribute to persistent workplace discrimination, compounded by legal frameworks such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which aims to prohibit discrimination based on sex (Blau & Kahn, 2013).

Sexual harassment remains a pervasive issue, manifesting as quid pro quo or hostile environment behaviors, often rooted in institutional sexism. Such harassment undermines women's rights and perpetuates inequality, necessitating legal protections and organizational policies to address misconduct (Fitzgerald et al., 1997). The societal history of gender inequality demonstrates a gradual accumulation of rights—from prohibitions on women owning property and voting to protections against workplace discrimination and violence (Faludi, 1991).

The feminist movement, driven by the desire for equality, has evolved through various waves. The first wave focused on suffrage and legal rights, while the second wave, beginning in the 1960s, expanded to broader social, economic, and political issues. Modern perspectives include liberal feminism advocating equal opportunities, socialist feminism linking capitalism with female oppression, radical feminism emphasizing male dominance, and multicultural feminism recognizing global and cultural dimensions of gender inequality (hooks, 2000). Each perspective contributes to understanding and challenging entrenched gender biases.

Sociologically, gender is viewed through multiple lenses. Functionalists see gender roles as essential for societal stability, while conflict theorists highlight how gender inequalities benefit dominant groups, particularly men. Symbolic interactionism examines everyday interactions and how gender identities are constructed through social cues. Queer theory disrupts traditional binary categorizations, emphasizing fluidity and diversity in gender and sexuality (Rich, 1980). Together, these perspectives provide a comprehensive understanding of gender as a social construct intertwined with power, culture, and individual identity.

Sexuality, encompassing an individual's capacity for sexual feelings, varies widely across cultures and societies. In Sweden, comprehensive sex education promotes openness and acceptance, contrasting with more conservative approaches elsewhere. Universal taboos, such as incest, remain prevalent across cultures. In the United States, debates around sex education and sexual norms reflect broader societal values and concerns about morality, health, and rights (Shankar, 2001). Overall, sexuality is shaped by cultural, social, and biological influences, influencing personal identities and societal attitudes.

References

• Blau, F. D., & Kahn, L. M. (2013). The Gender Wage Gap: Extent, Trends, and Explanations. Journal of Economic Literature, 51(3), 4-16.
• Connell, R. W. (2002). Gender. Polity Press.
• Eagly, A. H., & Wood, W. (2012). Social Role Theory. In P. A. M. Van Lange, A. W. Kruglanski, & E. T. Higgins (Eds.), Handbook of Theories of Social Psychology (pp. 458–476). Sage Publications.
• Fitzgerald, L. F., et al. (1997). Sexual harassment: Its conceptualization and measurement. Journal of Applied Psychology, 77(2), 233–243.
• Faludi, S. (1991). Backlash: The Undeclared War Against American Women. Crown Publishers.
• Herek, G. M. (1990). The psychology of sexual prejudice. Journal of Social Issues, 46(1), 31-56.
• hooks, bell. (2000). Feminism Is for Everybody: Passionate Politics. South End Press.
• Kinsey, A. C., Pomeroy, W. B., Martin, C. E., & Gebhard, P. H. (1948). Sexual Behavior in the Human Male. Saunders.
• Leaper, C., & Friedman, C. K. (2007). The socialization of gender. In J. M. Hagan & N. A. Silver (Eds.), Handbook of Developmental Science (pp. 374–397). Guilford Press.
• Lauzen, M. M. (2008). The Celluloid Ceiling: Behind-the-Scenes Employment of Women on the Top 100, 200-10. Feminist Media Studies, 8(2), 181-193.
• Rich, A. (1980). Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence. Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society, 5(4), 631– serial.
• Shankar, S. (2001). Sex Education in the United States. Routledge.
• Wilchins, R. (2004). Read My Lips: Sexual Subversion and the End of Gender. Firebrand Books.