Chapter 5 Gender Issues.
-
Upload
ophelia-blair -
Category
Documents
-
view
228 -
download
0
description
Transcript of Chapter 5 Gender Issues.
Chapter 5 Gender Issues
Sex and Gender Definitions
• Sex– genetic, anatomical
• Gender– psychosocial meaning of maleness and femaleness
• Gender Identity– subjective sense of being male or female
• Gender (Sex) Role– cultural norms for male and female behavior
Gender-Identity Formation
• Typical prenatal differentiation
– 23 human chromosomes• 22 autosomes and 1 sex chromosome
– Chromosomal sex• XX: female XY: male
– DSS gene on X– SRY gene on Y
Typical Prenatal Differentiation
Typical Prenatal Differentiation
• Gonadal sex– Ovaries or testes
• Hormonal sex– Estrogens and androgens
Typical Prenatal Differentiation
• Internal structures– Müllerian duct
• Males – Vas deferens, seminal vesicles, ejaculatory duct– Wolffian duct
• Females – Fallopian tubes, uterus, inner 1/3 vagina
• External structures– Genital tubercle
• Clitoris or penis– Labioscrotal swelling
• Labia or scrotum
Prenatal Differentiation of Internal Structures
Prenatal Differentiation of External Genitals
Homologous Sex Organs
Sex Differentiation Of The Brain
• Hypothalamus– Differentiates in pregnancy– Directs production of sex hormones– May influence sex differences and sexual functioning
• Cerebral hemispheres
• Corpus callosum
Parts of the Brain
Atypical Prenatal Differentiation
• Intersexed– True hermaphrodites– Pseudohermaphrodites
• Sex chromosome disorders– Turner’s syndrome XO– Klinefelter’s syndrome XXY
Atypical Prenatal Differentiation
• Disorders affecting prenatal hormonal processes
– Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS)– Fetally androgenized females– DHT-deficient males
Atypical Prenatal Differentiation
Social Learning Influences on Gender Identity
• Firm gender identity by age 3• Mead study
– Culture determines gender role• Long-term case studies by Money
– Psychosexually neutral at birth• Follow-up of Money’s cases by Diamond• Another case often overlooked (Bradley)• Long-term problems with surgical reassignment
The Interactional Model
• Nature– Biological determinants
• Nurture– Social learning and the environment
• Acknowledge the interaction of both
• Relative roles are still unclear
Transsexualism and Transgenderism
• Transexualism– Gender identity is opposite to biological sex
• Transgendered– Appearance and/or behavior does not conform to
traditional gender roles– Variations of transgendered behaviors
• Intersexed people• Gender Identity vs. sexual orientation
Transsexualism
• Etiology• Options
– Gender blending/cross-dressing– Psychotherapy– Sex reassignment
• Outcomes
Gender Roles
• Gender-based stereotypes (North American)– Males
• Independent and aggressive– Females
• Dependent and submissive• Recent trend away from rigid stereotypes
– Women less entrenched than men in rigid gender-role stereotypes
• Ethnic variation in gender roles
Gender RolesAgents of Socialization
• Parental expectations• Peers • School teachers and textbooks• Television and gender-based stereotypes• Religious training
Gender Role Expectations
• Women undersexed, men oversexed• Men initiate, women receive• Women as controllers, men as movers• Men are unemotional and strong• Women are nurturing and supportive
AndrogynyTranscending Gender Roles
• Having characteristics of both sexes• Benefits• Drawbacks
• May show more flexibility and comfort with sexuality