© 2005 the mcgraw-hill companies, inc. all rghts reserved. chapter 3 gender: identity and roles...

© 2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rghts reserved.

Chapter 3

Gender:

Identity and Roles

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© 2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rghts reserved.

Chapter Preview

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© 2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Chapter QuestionsChapter Questions

What does the world around me What does the world around me have to do with my masculinity have to do with my masculinity and femininity?and femininity?

Why do females act one way and Why do females act one way and males act another?males act another?

What assumptions do we make What assumptions do we make about what is masculine or about what is masculine or feminine?feminine?

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Chapter QuestionsChapter Questions

What do gender roles have to do What do gender roles have to do with how I feel about my body?with how I feel about my body?

How does what we believe about How does what we believe about gender affect the role we assume gender affect the role we assume in the family?in the family?

What are alternatives to traditional What are alternatives to traditional gender roles?gender roles?

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Guided Learning ProcessGuided Learning Process

11stst: Question: Question 22ndnd: Study: Study 33rdrd: Mark: Mark 44thth: Question again: Question again 55thth: Recite: Recite 66thth: Check : Check 77thth: Restudy if necessary: Restudy if necessary

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Text AssignmentText Assignment

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What does the world around What does the world around me have to do with my me have to do with my

masculinity and femininity?masculinity and femininity?

What does society tell me about What does society tell me about being masculine or feminine?being masculine or feminine?

How do my parents affect my How do my parents affect my masculinity or femininity? masculinity or femininity?

Preview A 1-2-3


What does the world around What does the world around me have to do with my me have to do with my

masculinity and femininity?masculinity and femininity?

How does what I read in magazines and How does what I read in magazines and see on TV affect my masculinity or see on TV affect my masculinity or femininity? femininity?

What effect does going to school have What effect does going to school have on my masculinity or femininity? on my masculinity or femininity?

Preview A 4-5


How do people teach each other how men How do people teach each other how men and women should act? and women should act?

How does how old we are affect how we How does how old we are affect how we think about our gender? think about our gender?

How do our mental concepts of gender How do our mental concepts of gender affect how we act? affect how we act?

Why do females act one way Why do females act one way and males act another?and males act another?

Preview B 1-2-3


Why do females act one way Why do females act one way and males act another?and males act another?

How does a society decide how men and How does a society decide how men and women should act? women should act?

How much influence do our genes have How much influence do our genes have over how masculine or feminine we act? over how masculine or feminine we act?

Preview B 4-5


What assumptions do we make about What assumptions do we make about

what is masculine or feminine?what is masculine or feminine?

What is a ‘real’ man supposed to like? What is a ‘real’ man supposed to like?

What is a ‘real’ woman supposed to be What is a ‘real’ woman supposed to be like? like?

So what’s the problem? So what’s the problem?

Preview C 1-2-3


What do gender roles have What do gender roles have to do with how I feel about to do with how I feel about

my body?my body?

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How does what we believe about How does what we believe about gender affect the role we assume gender affect the role we assume

in the family?in the family?

How are male and female brains different? How are male and female brains different?

What effect does social class and ethnic What effect does social class and ethnic background have on what we believe background have on what we believe about men and women? about men and women?

Preview E 1-2


How does what we believe about How does what we believe about gender affect the role we assume gender affect the role we assume

in the family?in the family?

How much housework and child care do men How much housework and child care do men do? do?

How are men and women different in the way How are men and women different in the way they deal with depression? they deal with depression?

How will my gender role in my family change as How will my gender role in my family change as time goes on? time goes on?

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What are alternatives to What are alternatives to traditional gender roles?traditional gender roles?

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What did I learn in my family What did I learn in my family about proper behavior for men about proper behavior for men

and women? and women?

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What do different families think is What do different families think is important in life?important in life?

How did the culture I grew up in affect what I How did the culture I grew up in affect what I think is important in life? think is important in life?

How did my family of origin affect what I think is How did my family of origin affect what I think is important in life? important in life?

What did I learn in my family about how to work? What did I learn in my family about how to work?

Preview H 1-2-3


What are some ways different families communicate What are some ways different families communicate

about problems?about problems?

7 different types of communication7 different types of communication

– What does each of these communication What does each of these communication patterns look and sound like?patterns look and sound like?

– How well does each of these How well does each of these communication patterns work to resolve communication patterns work to resolve problems? problems?

Preview I


Special SectionsSpecial Sections

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Personal Perspective: Personal Perspective: Patterns of CommunicationPatterns of Communication

Why does Alex have such a Why does Alex have such a hard time communicating hard time communicating

with his wife?with his wife?

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Cultural Perspectives: Cultural Perspectives: African American Family African American Family

Strengths and InfluencesStrengths and Influences

What is unique about African What is unique about African American families?American families?

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At Issue Today: At Issue Today: Values and Marital SatisfactionValues and Marital Satisfaction

How does what we think is How does what we think is important in life affect how important in life affect how

happy we are in our marriage?happy we are in our marriage?

Preview AI


A Question of Policy: A Question of Policy: Family EnvironmentFamily Environment

How can government policies How can government policies help parents be better parents?help parents be better parents?

Preview QP


Important DistinctionsImportant Distinctions Sex – biological, male or female.Sex – biological, male or female. Gender – personality traits and behavior that Gender – personality traits and behavior that

characterize an individual as masculine or characterize an individual as masculine or femininefeminine

Gender identity – a person’s personal, internal Gender identity – a person’s personal, internal sense of maleness or femaleness, which is sense of maleness or femaleness, which is expressed in personality and behaviorexpressed in personality and behavior

Gender role – a person’s outward expression of Gender role – a person’s outward expression of maleness or femaleness in a social setting.maleness or femaleness in a social setting.

Femininity / MasculinityFemininity / Masculinity Transgendered – people who feel their Transgendered – people who feel their

biological sex does not match their gender biological sex does not match their gender identityidentity

Transsexuals – a transgendered person who Transsexuals – a transgendered person who seeks to live as a member of the opposite sex seeks to live as a member of the opposite sex with the help of hormones and surgerywith the help of hormones and surgery

A


What does society expect from us What does society expect from us because we are male or female?because we are male or female?

From birth we are expected to act like our From birth we are expected to act like our gender gender

Different cultures have different standardsDifferent cultures have different standards

Society teaches us throughSociety teaches us through

– ParentsParents– MediaMedia– SchoolSchool

A 1


Parents are our primary teachers – Parents are our primary teachers – they teach by:they teach by:

Modeling ‘appropriate’ rolesModeling ‘appropriate’ roles Conveying their attitudes and valuesConveying their attitudes and values Approving of and rewarding Approving of and rewarding

‘appropriate’ behavior‘appropriate’ behavior Criticizing ‘inappropriate’ sex-typed Criticizing ‘inappropriate’ sex-typed

behaviorbehavior Providing ‘appropriate’ toysProviding ‘appropriate’ toys

A 2


Media sends powerful messagesMedia sends powerful messages

Television, Websites, Videos, Magazines

– Portray and perpetuate traditional gender role Portray and perpetuate traditional gender role stereotypes stereotypes

– Socialize both young & oldSocialize both young & old

– Research shows:Research shows:

more TV viewing = more sexist attitudesmore TV viewing = more sexist attitudes ‘‘sexy’ ads = dissatisfaction with bodiessexy’ ads = dissatisfaction with bodies

A 3


Unconscious messages are Unconscious messages are everywhereeverywhere

School

– Gender concepts taught formally at schoolGender concepts taught formally at school

– Gender-typed toys and reading materials Gender-typed toys and reading materials

– Boys reinforced for math & scienceBoys reinforced for math & science

– Title IX – attempt to level playing fieldTitle IX – attempt to level playing field

– Teachers’ beliefs make them treat boys Teachers’ beliefs make them treat boys and girls differentlyand girls differently

A 4


A END


Theories of Gender Role and Identity

Each focuses on a different aspect of why Each focuses on a different aspect of why we act masculine or femininewe act masculine or feminine

Need several theories to understandNeed several theories to understand

None explains everythingNone explains everything

B


Social learning theory

– Develop gender through exposure to many Develop gender through exposure to many influences influences

– Society rewards some behaviors and Society rewards some behaviors and punishes otherspunishes others

– ‘‘Normal’ = living up to the expectationsNormal’ = living up to the expectations

– Same-sex parent is most influential in shaping Same-sex parent is most influential in shaping our gender our gender

B 1


Cognitive development theory

Gender concepts change as brain and Gender concepts change as brain and thinking maturethinking mature

– 3 to 5 – 3 to 5 – Gender constancy (Gender constancy (a fixed concept of a fixed concept of gender that cannot be altered by superficial gender that cannot be altered by superficial things, such as clothing or appearance)things, such as clothing or appearance)

– 6 to 7 – views of gender roles oversimplified 6 to 7 – views of gender roles oversimplified and stereotypic and stereotypic

– Adult – gender roles complex and flexibleAdult – gender roles complex and flexible

B 2


Gender Schema Theory

SchemaSchema – a framework of logic & ideas to – a framework of logic & ideas to organize informationorganize information

Strong gender schema = very definite Strong gender schema = very definite ideas about how males and females ideas about how males and females should look & behaveshould look & behave

B 3


Social structure/cultural theories

– Gender roles established for power, status and Gender roles established for power, status and division of labordivision of labor

– Gender differences more prevalent in male Gender differences more prevalent in male dominant / female subordinate relationshipsdominant / female subordinate relationships

– Gender differences would disappear if genders Gender differences would disappear if genders viewed as equally powerfulviewed as equally powerful

B 4


Sociobiology / Functionalism

Human genetics evolved so men and women Human genetics evolved so men and women are best adapted for certain biological functionsare best adapted for certain biological functions

– Sociobiologists – male and female genes have Sociobiologists – male and female genes have adapted to meet each sex’s reproductive goalsadapted to meet each sex’s reproductive goals

– Functionalism – males and females evolved Functionalism – males and females evolved genetically to fulfill reproductive tasksgenetically to fulfill reproductive tasks

B 5


B END


Traditional Masculine and Feminine Traditional Masculine and Feminine StereotypesStereotypes

Gender stereotypes are:Gender stereotypes are:

assumed differencesassumed differences

norms norms

attitudesattitudes

expectationsexpectations

C


Masculine StereotypesMasculine Stereotypes

AggressiveAggressive Dominant Dominant StrongStrong ForcefulForceful Self-confidentSelf-confident RuggedRugged VirileVirile InstrumentalInstrumental CourageousCourageous

IndependentIndependent AmbitiousAmbitious LogicalLogical UnemotionalUnemotional Primary role is Primary role is

providerprovider Initiator with womenInitiator with women

C 1


Feminine StereotypesFeminine Stereotypes

UnaggressiveUnaggressive SubmissiveSubmissive WeakWeak SensitiveSensitive GentleGentle KindKind TactfulTactful WarmWarm AffectionateAffectionate SentimentalSentimental

SoftheartedSofthearted DependentDependent Emotional Emotional Excitable Excitable IllogicalIllogical Talkative.Talkative. Primary role – Primary role –

motherhoodmotherhood Secondary role –Secondary role – wifewife

C 2


Problems with Gender StereotypesProblems with Gender Stereotypes

Conformance to norms expectedConformance to norms expected

Different jobs and pay Different jobs and pay

Behavioral double standards Behavioral double standards

C 3



Non-stereotypic behavior perceived Non-stereotypic behavior perceived negativelynegatively

Gender role segregation = lack of Gender role segregation = lack of cooperation, companionship and intimacycooperation, companionship and intimacy

Traditional male/female traits don’t work in Traditional male/female traits don’t work in romantic relationshipsromantic relationships

C 3



Some stereotypic ‘male’ traits and skills Some stereotypic ‘male’ traits and skills necessary to succeed in lifenecessary to succeed in life

Aggressiveness and sexist attitudes can Aggressiveness and sexist attitudes can get men in troubleget men in trouble

Mental and physical health suffersMental and physical health suffers

C 3


C END


Gender Roles and Body ImageGender Roles and Body Image

Young women taught body is ultimate Young women taught body is ultimate expression of selfexpression of self

– More skin showingMore skin showing– Younger women seem happierYounger women seem happier– Beautiful women get the menBeautiful women get the men

Focus:Focus:

– Women – relationshipsWomen – relationships– Men – being strong and in controlMen – being strong and in control

D


Gender Roles and Body ImageGender Roles and Body Image

TV, movies, advertisements, magazines, TV, movies, advertisements, magazines, toys portray ideal body imagetoys portray ideal body image

– Thinness for women - abnormal or impossibleThinness for women - abnormal or impossible

– Females’ personal happiness = physical Females’ personal happiness = physical

appearanceappearance

– Impossible male muscularityImpossible male muscularity

D


D END


Types of Gender BeliefsTypes of Gender Beliefs

Male chauvinistMale chauvinist = patriarchal view that = patriarchal view that men should be in control of womenmen should be in control of women

SexistSexist = women are inferior to men = women are inferior to men

FeministFeminist = women are equal to men = women are equal to men

E


Gender Roles in the FamilyGender Roles in the Family

Gender beliefs determine family rolesGender beliefs determine family roles

Gender roles can be created by each Gender roles can be created by each family through negotiationfamily through negotiation

E


Male vs. Female BrainsMale vs. Female Brains

Different proportions of hormonesDifferent proportions of hormones Nervous system differencesNervous system differences Way information is processedWay information is processed

all result in:all result in:

Focus on different information Focus on different information Different problem-solving approachesDifferent problem-solving approaches Preference for different activitiesPreference for different activities

E 1


Ethnic Variations in Gender RolesEthnic Variations in Gender Roles

Most research done with middle-class White Most research done with middle-class White femalesfemales

Latinas or African Americans don’t fit Latinas or African Americans don’t fit stereotypesstereotypes

– EX: African American teenaged girls – EX: African American teenaged girls – more self-reliant, resourceful, more self-reliant, resourceful,

independent, strong independent, strong

Less ethnic differences among malesLess ethnic differences among males

E 2


Housework and Child Care RolesHousework and Child Care Roles

Men do relatively little at home unless both Men do relatively little at home unless both partners believe in egalitarian rolespartners believe in egalitarian roles

Working women - “second shift”Working women - “second shift”

Marital satisfaction Marital satisfaction – If perceptions are that each partner is “doing If perceptions are that each partner is “doing

their part”their part”

E 3


Gender Differences in DepressionGender Differences in Depression

CausesCauses

– Women: relationship problemsWomen: relationship problems– Men: failure to achieve or performMen: failure to achieve or perform

CopingCoping

– Women: seek help; reach out Women: seek help; reach out – Men: don’t recognize; withdrawMen: don’t recognize; withdraw

E 4


Coping with a depressed partnerCoping with a depressed partner

Different in how they try to helpDifferent in how they try to help

– Women: protecting from further distressWomen: protecting from further distress– Men: helping or trying to fix problemMen: helping or trying to fix problem

Same in how they interpret help: Same in how they interpret help:

– Both feel controlled and dominated and more Both feel controlled and dominated and more dependentdependent

E 4


Roles Across the Life CycleRoles Across the Life Cycle

Satisfaction with division of labor changes Satisfaction with division of labor changes across the life cycleacross the life cycle

With age – trend toward androgynous rolesWith age – trend toward androgynous roles

Higher marital satisfaction if:Higher marital satisfaction if:– Couples agree on division of laborCouples agree on division of labor– Gender-role congruenceGender-role congruence (agreement between (agreement between

partners’ gender-role expectations and their partners’ gender-role expectations and their performances)performances)

E 5


E END


AndrogynyAndrogyny

Gradual mixing of gender roles that Gradual mixing of gender roles that combines masculinity and femininitycombines masculinity and femininity

Androgynous vs. traditional Androgynous vs. traditional

– Better social relationshipsBetter social relationships

– Better adjustedBetter adjusted

– Lower psychological distressLower psychological distress

– Higher self-esteemHigher self-esteem

F


F END

© 2005 the mcgraw-hill companies, inc. all rghts reserved. chapter 3 gender: identity and roles...

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