GWSS 257 Chapter Gender: Gender by Christina Spears and Hennifer A Hewll

• School: UW
• Department: Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies
• Course: GWSS 257
• Professor: Ann E.Culligan

Document Summary

Distinguish gender and sex as well as gender identity and sexual orientation. Discuss gender differences that exist, as well as those that do not actually exist. Understand and explain different theories of how gender roles from. Discuss sexism and its impact on both genders. Sex=biological category of male or female as defined by physical differences in genetic composition and in reproductive anatomy and function. Gender=cultural, social, and psychological meanings that are associated with masculinity and femininity. Gender roles=behaviors, attitudes and personality traits that are designated as either masculine or feminine in a given culture. Common to think of gender roles in terms of gender stereotypes=beliefs and expectations people hold about the typical characteristics, preferences, and behaviors of men and women. Gender identity=psychological sense of being male or female. Sexual orientation=direction of their emotional and erotic attraction toward people. Knowing one"s gender doesn"t help much in predicting his or her actual traits.