SEX and GENDER
ROLE
Sexuality – central aspect of being human
throughout life and includes gender
identities, roles and sexual orientation.
Human Sexuality – the way in which we
experience ourselves as sexual beings. It
is an integral part of our personality.
Actual Gender is the main factor that
develop our sexuality.
Biologicalaspect – deals with human
reproduction and the physical means
which we carry it out, it is the aspect
of sexuality, heredity and hormones
and gender.
Psychologicalaspect – focus on
psychological influences that affect
social beahvior.
Emotional – deals with intense emotions
associated wiut social bonds.
Physical – physiological, sociological
psychological aspect of human behavior.
Sociocultural- understood as part of social
life of human governed by implied rules of
behavior and the status quo.
– E.g. influences of social norms, politics, mass
media
Characteristics most often said to men:
1. Aggressive 12. Demanding
2. Proud 13. Possessive
3. Disorganized 14. Funny
4. Courageous 15. Level-headed
5. Confident
6. Independent
7. Confident
8. Ambitious
9. Selfish
10. Logical
11. Easy going
Characteristics most often said to describe
women
1. Emotional 9. Thrifty
2. Talkative 10. Manipulative
3. Sensitive 11. Honest
4. Affectionate 12. Creative
5. Patient 13. Critical
6. Romantic 14. Happy
7. Moody 15. Possessive
8. Cautious
Questions:
1. How do people should be “male” and
“female”?
2. How do you think societies viewed men and
women?
Answer: Society viewed men/women in terms of
- differences
- Unequal (places, work, personality,
traits, ideas and virtues.
Sex - Biological and anatomical differences
between man and woman. Including the primary
sex and the secondary sex.
Gender – refers to culturally/ socially constructed
differences between females and males.
Or : Belief with practices of femininity and
masculinity.
Gender Role – expected behavior, attitudes,
obligation that a society assign to each sex.
Gender Stereotypes- strongly held ideas
about the characteristics of male and
female.
or:
Our expectation men and women should
perform.
Gender Socialization
Importance:
We learn Gender Roles through as
soon as the infant gender is established.
Enlighten him/her in socio cultural
world into which she / he has born and
able him to socialize and acts as man as
man and woman as woman.
Sources of Gender Learning:
1. Influence of the Family
2. Influence of the Peer
3. Influence of the School
4. Influence of Mass Media
Functionalist Perspective :
The role of Women are very crucial in ensuring
that key societal tasks are fulfilled.
Husband perform – “Instrumental task”
- decision making
- Economic supervision
Wife performs - “Expressive tasks”
- providing affection
- emotion support of the family
Conflict Perspective
The Gender division of labor within the
Family results from Male Control and
Dominance over women and resources.
Feminist Perspective
– Advocate Social Change simply to eradicate
Gender equality – EQUALITY of OPPORTUNITY.
RadicalFeminism
Male Dominance is seen as the
cause of Oppression.
Socialist Feminism
Women’s oppression results from their
“DUAL roles paid and the unpaid workers.
Assignment:
[Link] Facts:
Think back to your earliest memorable
experiences with television:
1. What were your favorite programs?
Focus on the roles of males and
females.
2. How were males and females
portrayed?
3. How did the males / females
interact together?
4. What expectation seemed to be
attached to the participants because
of their gender?
B. Values:
1. What general roles in life appeared to
be attached to each person by virtue of
their gender?
2. For what qualities / abilities did each
appear to be valued?
C. Application :
1. Do these early socialization experiences
continue to affect you today?
2. Are you comfortable with the role
orientation you have developed?