Chapter 9: Sex and Gender

Notes:

Sex	Biological and anatomical variances between males and females
Sexuality	An individual’s experience and expression as a sexual being
Gender	The socially learned expectations and behaviors associated with being a man or woman

gender nonconforming, an individual whose behavior and/or gender expression do not conform to society’s norms for masculine and feminine

masculinity, traditional behaviors and traits associated with men

femininity, traditional behaviors, and traits associated with women, are learned behaviors as a result of the socialization process

feminine-expressive role, providing care and emotional support, has traditionally been the role of the wife and mother

masculine-instrumental role, goal-oriented and providing financial support, has been the role of the husband and father

intersex, a person born with variations in male and female hormones, chromosomes, and/or sexual organs

gender identity, an individual’s inner sense, and identification of being masculine or feminine

Gender Nonconformity	An individual whose behavior and/or gender expression does not conform to society’s norms for masculine and feminine.
Genderqueer	A person whose gender expression and/or identity is neither masculine nor feminine. Genderqueer is sometimes used synonymously with non-binary or gender fluid.
Cisgender	An individual whose gender identity matches their sex at birth.
Transgender	A person who identifies with a gender that is different from their biological sex.

gender norms, behaviors, or traits that society attributes to a particular sex 

gender roles, public expression of one’s gender identity

sexism, prejudice, devaluation, and discrimination based on an individual’s sex 

Gender stratification, the unequal access and distribution of wealth, power, and privilege between women and men

glass escalator, which means that men in female-dominated careers rise faster than women in male-dominated careers 

glass ceiling, social and legal barriers designed to prevent minorities and women from advancing in the workplace 

Sexual harassment, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal and physical harassment of a sexual nature 

quid pro quo, express or implied demands by an employer or supervisor for sexual favors in exchange for some benefit such as a promotion, raise, or preferential treatment

hostile environment, an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment due to unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature 

intersectionality, the overlap of personal and social identities that manifests as disadvantage and discrimination in people’s lives, stresses that individuals experience multiple forms of inequities based on gender, race, ethnicity, social class, sexuality, citizenship, religion, age, and other dimensions of subordination.

honor killing, the killing of a female family member for the perceived shame she has brought onto the family

violence against women, any act that results in the mental, physical and/or sexual harm of a girl, teen, or woman

Concept	Definition	Explanation
Social Learning Theory	Individuals who witness or experience violence while growing up are likelier to use violence as adults.	A little boy who witnesses his father beat his mother may see the behavior as normal and grow up to be abusive toward his partner.
Social Situation or Stress Theory	Violence is greatly influenced by the stress in a particular situation that may be part of the larger society or specific to a particular group. Also, culture may work to normalize violence in society.	Whether caused by an individual’s job loss or a nationwide recession, financial problems in a family act as a stressor that may increase the likelihood of violence against women. Cultural norms that promote violence include violent movies and video games.
Resource Theory	One perspective on this theory states that the more resources an individual has, the more control and force he can apply in the relationship. On the other hand, some contend that the fewer resources a person has, the more likely he is to compensate by resorting to violence.	A person who controls the family finances and makes all the decisions has greater resources at his command than one who shares responsibilities with his spouse. By contrast, a suddenly unemployed person may resort to violence towards his partner to compensate for his lack of income and perceived loss of power.
Exchange Theory	Based on the economic principles of costs and benefits, this theory contends that an abuser will use violence when the benefits exceed the costs.	An abuser knows slapping his partner means that she will do as he demands and will not call the police on him, therefore costing him nothing.
Feminist Theory	Looks at the history of male domination in societies worldwide and contends that larger social and economic processes work to subordinate women in society and the home.	Paying women less money than men, not valuing their work in the home, and not having laws to protect women in the event of violence puts them in a lesser position in society and the home.
General Systems Theory	The violence experienced by women isn’t just about the individual abuser but about the family systems or structure overall, which is made up of multiple people that play varying roles that are changeable over time.	An abusive husband injured on the job and can’t work may find his position in the family system changed when his formerly dependent wife becomes the family breadwinner.

microaggressions, words, and deeds that negatively impact marginalized individuals, groups, or communities

Sexuality	Sexuality is similar to but different from the term “sex.” Therefore, “sex and gender” and “sexuality and gender” represent two distinct concepts. Sex is biological, while gender is a social construction. Instead of being strictly about biology, sexuality refers to the expression of the individual’s behaviors and desires.
Sexual Orientation	An individual’s sexual interest toward the same, opposite, neither, or both sexes. Sexual orientation is a means of expressing oneself as a sexual being.
Heterosexual	Individuals with a sexual interest in the opposite sex.
Homosexual	Individuals with a sexual interest in the same sex.
Bisexual	Individuals with a sexual interest in both sexes.
Asexual	Individuals who are not sexually attracted to others.
Pansexual	Individuals who are attracted to all people regardless of their gender identity or sexuality. This attraction can be emotional, romantic, and/or sexual.

hookups, a sexual encounter, usually lasting only one night, between two individuals who are strangers or brief acquaintances

homophobia, the fear of homosexuals, and homosexuality

heterosexism, prejudice, or discriminatory attitudes and behaviors against homosexuals and homosexuality

transgender, a person who identifies with a gender different from their biological sex 

sex reassignment, the process of having surgery and taking hormone medications to become the opposite sex

feminism, a social movement that aims to establish equality between the sexes

men’s rights movement, an effort to establish the employment, sexual, and familial rights of men, focuses on employment discrimination and sexual harassment

gay rights movement, individuals and organizations seeking to establish legal and social equality for members of the LGBTQ+ community, seek equal rights and the reduction of discrimination

allies, someone who advocates and supports the push for equal rights

feminists, a person who believes in the legal, political, social, and economic equality between the sexes

cult of domesticity, the glorification of White middle to upper-middle-class ideals that placed value on women for their sexual purity, morality, domestic abilities, and submissiveness to men.

matrix of domination, the idea that oppression is multifaceted

queer theory, a perspective that emerged in the 1990s, challenging the normative assumptions of heterosexuality and homosexuality