Socialization into Gender

Gender Socialization• Difference between sex and gender

• Are we born having a gender?

• Simone de Beauvoir—one is not born, but becomes woman

• Societal Expectations Differ for Males and Females

Gender Messages in the Family

• Parents model gender roles

• Family is where treatment of male and female children first differs– Boys encouraged to be strong and

assertive

–Girls encouraged to be submissive, are coddled, and wear clothes that hamper activity

Is it for a boy or a girl?

On www.target.com

• Toys separated by gender and age

• Boys 6-7: Sports, Building/Construction, Science

• Girls 6-7: Dolls, Horses, Dancing/Singing

And every girl wants a…

Barbie

Gender Messages in the Mass Media

• Advertising–children under 8 are very

impressionable—accept ads as truthful, accurate and unbiased

–this can lead to unhealthy eating habits—youth obesity or eating disorders—according to the APA

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Before After

• Television and Movies–Statistics

• Men outnumber women in general TV dramas by 3 or 4 to 1

• 70-85% of those on children's TV are male

• more men than women in starring roles–Gender Roles

• Women mostly portray domestic roles• Change— “Ever After: A Cinderella Story”

Literature• Sends subconscious message to

boys and girls—–reading a story before bed every night

• Fairy Tales and Other Stories

• Traditional

• Non-traditional

In Conclusion…• Males and females are socialized

differently from birth

• Socialization leads to stereotypical gender roles

• Gender roles can lead to social inequality