Sex, Gender, and Gender Role Socialization

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?