Sex, Gender, and Gender Role SocializationChapter 3
SexRefers to the physical and
biological
Includes:Chromosomal
xx and xy
Hormonal Testosterone, Estrogen
And…
Sex
Anatomical
Gender and Gender IdentityGender :SocialPsychological Cultural
Masculinity and Femininity
Gender identity :View of herself or himself as: Feminine or Masculine
Gender CharacteristicsSex—Ascribed status
Gender—Achieved status
Gender characteristics:
PhysicalEmotionalBehavioral
Social Construction of Gender
Gender Roles– Expectations regarding proper:– Behavior– Attitudes– Activities– Roles in work– Reaction to others
Little Girl comments on gender roleshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-
CU040Hqbas&feature=related
Gender Role Socialization
“...a lifelong process people learn:
ValuesAttitudesMotivationsBehavior Considered appropriate by their culture”
Gender Role Socialization
Children learn proper behavior
Parents/family
Peer groups
School
Media
9/19 Masculine Scripts Man vs Woman http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=P1ferw30pUo&feature=player_detailpage
1.No sissy-stuff – Distance themselves from the feminine
2.Big wheel-Occupationally and/or financially successful
3.Sturdy oak-Confident and self-reliant
4.Give ‘em hell-Do what is necessary to “make it”
Feminine Scripts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U
Dove Transformation
AttractiveNot too competitiveGood listenerAdaptableGood motherPut needs of others first http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=Wjg_pmdX8no&feature=related Female to Male and Back Again
Pink & Blue Telling the Boys from the
Girls
Smithsonian http://www.smithsonianmag.com/multimedia/photos/?
c=y&articleID=119483704&page=1
Theories on Gender Inequality
Structural Functionalist Perspective
Parsons and Bales (1956):
Women--Expressive roles
Men--Instrumental roles
Structural Functionalist PerspectiveWomen give birth & nurse children
“Natural” to provide carePrepare mealsMaintain home
MenFinancial support Economically dominant roles in
familyBudgetSpending DecisionsBank Account
Structural Functionalist Perspective
Pre-industrial society=Gender based division of labor
Women nursed and cared for childrenMen responsible for material needs
Industrialization—Traditional division of labor less functional
Belief system remains
Conflict TheoryGender inequality=PowerMen dominate women
EconomicPoliticalSocial resources
Powerful have no incentive:To give up power orShare it
Conflict Theory
Continued Domination: Requires belief system (ideology)Supports gender inequality
Two beliefs1. Women-Inferior outside the
home
2. Women-More valuable in the home
Symbolic Interactionist Perspective
Gender & gender roles learned through socialization (process)
Women socialized into Expressive roles
Men socialized into Instrumental roles
Symbolic Interactionist Perspective
Micro level behavior expressing & maintaining dominance (research)
Men more likely than women to:
Change topic of conversations
Ignore topics chosen by women
Minimize ideas of women
Interrupt women
Research
Rubin, Provenzano, and Luria, (1974)
First 24 hours after birth
Parents described girls & boys differently
Research“Boy” babies described as:
AlertStrongFirm
“Girl” babies described as:Less attentiveWeakFragile
ResearchJacklin (1984)
Boys given blocks & toolsGirls given dolls & easy-bake ovens
McHale et al., (1990)
Boys mow lawnGirls do dishes & babysit
Other Influences on Gender Socialization
Peers
Schools
Mass Media
Religion
Media and Socialization
Typical day: 47% of babies & toddlers ages 0-1 watch TV or DVDs
Those who watch average nearly 2 hours (1:54)/day
Nearly 1 in 3 (30%) have TV in bedrooms
(Knowledge Networks survey of 1,384 parents of children ages 0 to 8 years old, May 27-June 15, 2011 )
Media and Socialization
Children ages 6-23 months (2005)
19% TV in their bedrooms
Children ages 6-23 months (2011)
29% TV in their bedrooms
Media and SocializationTwo-thirds (65%) of 0 to 8-year-olds watch TV at least once every day
37% of 0-1 year-olds
73% of 2- to 4-year-olds
72% of 5- to 8-year-olds
What are they learning?
Media and Socialization
1. Learn about gender identity from news media?
2. Learn from video games?
3. Gender messages from movies?
What are the consequences?
Personally and Socially?