SOC265H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Social Constructionism, Essentialism, Jeff Lorber
Document Summary
Differences between males and females are rooted in biology (dna, genes, hormones) Over the course of human history, males and females have encountered differences because of this biology. Women and men make different mate selection choices and criteria because they face different challenges. Constructionist argument about sex and gender differences: the hierarchy between males and females (associated gendered terms) can be recreated and undone; extension of the reading. Do talk about biology, very aware that the essentialist perspective is out there and quite dominant in the argument about sex and gender. Argues that sex and gender differences are human made (cid:858)so(cid:272)ial (cid:272)o(cid:374)stru(cid:272)tio(cid:374)ist(cid:859: what we have created is an unequal categorization that is deeply problematic but is also (cid:272)ha(cid:374)gea(cid:271)le a(cid:374)d does(cid:374)(cid:859)t ha(cid:448)e to e(cid:454)ist. Bulk of these are rooted in biology. Fausto-sterling makes an attempt to expand the binary to include at least three other groups (makes it very clear that there could be more)
