Chapter 3

Refers to the physical and biological attributes of men and women

Includes:Chromosomal◦ xx and xy

Hormonal◦ Testosterone, Estrogen

◦ And…

Anatomical

Gender :SocialPsychological Cultural ◦ Masculinity and Femininity

Gender reflects societal attitudes and behavioral expectationsGender identity :◦An individual’s view of herself or himself

as feminine or masculine

Generally, sex is considered to be an ascribed status

Gender is an achieved status

Examples of gender characteristics?

What physical, emotional, or other characteristics are considered “Masculine” or “Feminine”?

Gender Roles– Expectations regarding proper:– Behavior– Attitudes– Activities of males and females– Gender roles in work– How we react to othershttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nIXUjz

yMe0

Gender role socialization is “...a lifelong process whereby people learn:ValuesAttitudesMotivationsBehavior

Considered appropriate to each sex by their culture”

Children learn proper behavior for girls and boys through:

Parents/family

Media

Peer groups

School

1. No sissy-stuff – men distance themselves from anything feminine.

2. Big wheel - men should be occupationally or financially successful.

3. Sturdy oak - men should be confident and self-reliant.

4. Give ‘em hell -men should do what is necessary to “make it”

Women offer emotional support.Ideal woman is:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46UAttractiveNot too competitiveGood listenerAdaptableGood mothersPut needs of others firstSuperwoman - successful at a career and a good wife/motherhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wjg_pmdX8no&feature=related

http://www.pinkisforboys.org/2/post/2012/01/gender-in-baby-cards-1960-video.html

Women give birth and nurse children, it is natural to provide careNatural division of labor◦ Women more involved in domestic activities ◦ Preparing meals◦ Maintaining a home

MenFinancial support for familyOther economically dominant roles

Parsons and Bales:Women--Expressive rolesMen-- Instrumental roles

Pre-industrial society=division of labor based on gender.◦ Women nursed and cared for children◦ Men responsible for material needs

Industrialization made traditional division of labor less functional◦ Belief system remains

Focus-Gender inequalityMen dominate womenGreater control over:EconomicPoliticalSocial resources

No incentive for those in power to give it up or share it.

Continued domination by males--Requires belief system that supports gender inequality

Two beliefs

1. Women are inferior outside the home

2. Women are more valuable in the home

Gender and gender roles learned through socialization

Women socialized into expressive roles

Men socialized into instrumental roles

◦Micro level of behavior (research results)

Men more likely than women to:

Change topic of conversations

Ignore topics chosen by women

Minimize ideas of women

Interrupt women

Rubin, Provenzano, and Luria, 1974

First 24 hours after birth

Parents described girls & boys differently

No actual differences between them

Boy babies thought to be more alert, stronger, and firmer

Girl babies described as less attentive, weaker, and more fragile

All newborns are fragile, weak, and generally inattentive

Jacklin, 1984Boys given blocks and toolsGirls given dolls and easy bake ovens

McHale et al., 1990Boys mow lawnGirls do dishes and babysit

Jacklin, 1984-parents give:Boys toys that encourage invention & manipulation

Girls toys emphasize caring & imitation

McHale et al., 1990Parents assign boys maintenance choresGive girls domestic tasks

Peers

School

Media

In a typical day, 47% of babies and toddlers ages 0 through 1 watch TV or DVDsThose who watch spend an average of nearly two hours (1:54) doing so

Nearly one in three (30%) has a TV in their bedroom (Knowledge Networks survey of 1,384 parents of children ages 0 to 8 years old, May 27-June 15, 2011 )

In 2005, among children ages 6-23 months, 19% had a TV in bedrooms.

Current study: 6- to 23-month-olds in the current study, 29% have a TV in their bedroom.

Two-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

1. How did the media affect your gender socialization?

2. Do video games socialize children?◦How?

3. How do movies socialize children? ◦What are the messages?◦Examples?