Premium Essay

Sex and Gender

In:

Submitted By HerbyNguyen
Words 1819
Pages 8
Sex and gender I) Summary the video Some people wonder whether gender is genetically based or they just learn 2 be feminine or masculine. It is very important to know what gender we are since birth because each of us has very perceptions of what each sex is like, how they should be treated, and even what value they have for society. Therefore, sex is the most basic way in which we categorize people throughout their lives. There are differences between two genders at birth which are biologically congenital, universal, and essentially reproductive. As we know, males and females are different in sexual organs, genes and hormones. While daughters are described as beautiful, delicate, and weak, sons seem strong, coordinated and alert despite no differences between them in weight, health and strength. What makes sex categorization significant goes beyond the biological characteristics. Gender is different cultural definitions of masculinity and femininity, different expectations and experiences, and psychological and social meanings attached to the categories of male and female. We define women or men by their sexual organs, the way they behave, how they look and dress, what they are supposed to do in order to be acceptable and appropriate and what roles they are allowed to do. Gender roles, as basic as femininity and masculinity, are two sets of traits and behaviors to distinguish men and women and based on socially-prescribed expectations about ideal sexual types. However, it is said that men can be feminine and women can be masculine some or all of the time. In the past, many people used to observe sex difference in behavior through biological and social forces but actually it is a complex interweaving of both. The sex difference seems to be linked to sex hormones. However, the amount and form of social play is shaped by cultural

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Gender and Sex

...Associate Program Material Gender and Sex Worksheet Answer the following questions in 50 to 150 words each. Provide citations for all the sources you use. What is gender? What is sex in biological terms? Are gender and sex the same thing? Explain why or why not? Gender is the state of being a male or a female. Sex in biological terms is a either of the two major forms of individuals that can occur in many of the species and that are distinguished respectively as a female or a male especially on the basis of their reproductive organs and their structures. Gender and sex are the similar but they are not the same. Gender refers to an individual while sex refers to the entire group as a whole. How do gender and sex contribute to the concepts and constructions of masculinity and femininity? Sex helps us identify the difference between being a female or a male while gender helps us to identify the forms of masculinity or femininity. Gender identification plays a huge part in masculinity and feminity as well. Although the these roles can bereversed, but is often frowned upon and made fun of in modern society by most people.Although this has changed in the past few years with more people becoming accepeting of maculine women and feminine men. Do our concepts of gender and sex contribute to the ways we embrace gender and sex in diversity? I believe our concept of gender and sex does contribute to the way we embrace gender and sex in diversity. We were taught...

Words: 493 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Sex and Gender

...What things have you done since last class that makes you conscious of your sex or gender? When I first came into class I thought sex in gender were synonyms of each other. I did not know that sex describes the biological identities of women and men while gender is the socially constructed behaviors and characteristics that are associated with each sex. I have thought about where I work which is Starbucks on campus. Everyone that I work with are females except one male. Also I noticed that people who are over my team are white which does not make a difference to me but it was an observation. My boss is a white female, my boss’s boss is white female but her boss is a white male. I noticed the higher I go into the ranks of my job the differences I see in gender. The highest position at my school for my company is lead by a white male but the second highest is lead by a white female. This shows me how patriarchy is still present in the twenty-first century but is being changed because the second highest in rank would normally be a male if changes had not begun. From learning the meaning of gender and sex I have begun observing people more through their actions. This has made me evaluate myself to see if I feel that what people classify me as which is a female really is what I feel I am. Yes my sex if taken from what everyone says such as doctors I am a female. I feel actions speak louder than words. When I look at my behavior in my everyday life I have more male characteristics...

Words: 894 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Gender and Sex

...How do sociologists draw a distinction between sex and gender? The difference between sex and gender causes much controversy between sociologists. The definition of sex does not cause much debate: Sex is physical and refers to biological differences. On the other hand, gender is psychological and so causes more disputes as interpretations differ between societies and cultures. This is due to the common sense ideas societies have regarding culture and additionally whether gender is nature or nurture. It can also be said that gender is socially constructed which will also be looked at. Sex is easily defined as “the biological distinction between females and males” and is commonly seen to have six main factors associated: chromosome make up (females having XX and male having XY), reproductive organs, external genitals, hormonal states, internal genitals and secondary sex characteristics. Sex is commonly seen as a biological term based on nature which is why there is not much argument over the definition. People are either classified as male or female, however, there are some exceptions as if a child is born with too many or too few X or Y chromosomes they may have the chromosome make up of one sex and the genitals of another. However, gender is not seen as an inbuilt trait but instead refers to “the social aspects of differences and hierarchies between male and female” which means that gender suggests the behaviours and aspects a particular group (society or culture) consider...

Words: 631 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Gender and Sex

...Associate Program Material Gender and Sex Worksheet Answer the following questions in 50 to 150 words each. Provide citations for all the sources you use. What is gender? What is sex in biological terms? Are gender and sex the same thing? Explain why or why not? When a person speaks about gender they would be referring to a person being a male or female. Sex in biological terms is to look at the organs that are within a person that makes them male or female. No, gender and sex are not the same. Sex is all about the biology that makes up a person and gender is based on the characteristics of feminine and masculine. How do gender and sex contribute to the concepts and constructions of masculinity and femininity? Sex and gender contribute to the concepts and construction of feminine and masculine by showing the differences of the two. Sex shows the physical differences. Women may have more of an hour glass figure while men are broader. With gender men are looked at as stronger emotionally and physically were as women are more nurturing. Do our concepts of gender and sex contribute to the ways we embrace gender and sex in diversity? Of course, gender and sex contribute to the ways we view men and women and diversity. No matter what a person’s race is if they are a woman we view them as the weak one emotionally and physically. We view men to be tough, never frightened, and strong. There are many woman and men that have proved our societies...

Words: 343 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Sex and Gender

...Sex and Gender are Different: Sexual Identity and Gender Identity are Different Milton Diamond, Ph.D. University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine Department of Anatomy and Reproductive Biology Pacific Center for Sex and Society Clinical Child Psychology & Psychiatry - Special Issue In Press for July 2002 Special Editors: Bernadette Wren, Portman Clinic Fiona Tasker, University of London | | | | | | | |Sex and Gender are Different: | |Sexual Identity and Gender Identity | |are Different | | | |Abstract: | |This paper attempts to enhance understanding and communication about different sexual issues. It starts by offering definitions to| |common...

Words: 8070 - Pages: 33

Premium Essay

Gender and Sex

...Material Gender and Sex Worksheet Answer the following questions in 50 to 150 words each. Provide citations for all the sources you use. What is gender? What is sex in biological terms? Are gender and sex the same thing? Explain why or why not? Gender refers to the personal sexual identity of an individual, regardless of the person's biological and outward sex. How people define masculinity and femininity can vary based on the individual's background and surrounding culture. Differing societal expectations in different cultures establish the behavioral, psychological and physical attributes that are associated one gender or another. Our biological sex is how we are defined as female, male, or intersex. It describes our internal and external bodies — including our sexual and reproductive anatomy, our genetic makeup, and our hormones. The words sex and gender are commonly used interchangeably, but many linguists would argue that their usage is quite distinct. Sex refers to the biological and physiological characteristics, while gender refers to behaviors, roles, expectations, and activities in society. How do gender and sex contribute to the concepts and constructions of masculinity and femininity? Gender is our social and legal status as girls and boys, women and men. Gender identity is how you feel about and express your gender. Culture determines gender roles and what is masculine and feminine. Do our concepts of gender and sex contribute to...

Words: 489 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Sex and Gender

...Johnson and Wales University Sex and Gender. Enrique Lesende Professor K. Barker PSYC 2001 02/06/2012 The words sex and gender are often used interchangeably. However, sex refers to male or female, while gender refers to masculine or feminine (Bland). Therefore, sex includes the biological characteristics that distinguish the two sexes and do not change around the world. Gender on the other hand, comprise the behaviors and expectations a particular society considers appropriate for the two sexes to display. In the societies of the past, the environment further adapted whatever biological tendencies males and females were thought to have had (Kruger). Boys and girls were nurtured to fulfill the specific gender roles anticipated of them. Men were expected to be strong and to support their families by taking on activities outside of the house in both the agricultural and industrial eras. In order for culture and the expectations of that culture to continue, young boys were taught the tasks their fathers performed. When schooling and higher education became available boys were also expected to attend. As society continued to transition, men began taking up higher positions in governmental, medical and business fields (Dunleavy). On the contrary, the feminine role was to care for the children and run the household. Even as communities developed from agricultural to more industrial and continued to evolve subsequently, young girls rarely received a basic education...

Words: 747 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Sex and Gender

...Alexandria Schwimmer Midterm Paper Dr. Jones Apples and oranges, both fruit but different characteristics. Same concept goes for male and female, both human. Sex is defined by genitals but as humans both have the same needs and emotions. Kimmel explains how we are all “allies” but treated so differently and held up to remarkably different standards in society. We are no stranger to this idea that has been played out through history. Thankfully these standards have taken big leaps toward equality. This change has been made more for females and not so much for males. Betty Friedan once wrote “The problem lay buried, unspoken, for many years in the minds of American woman. It was a strange stirring sense of dissatisfaction, a yearning that woman suffered in the middle of the twentieth century in the United States. Each suburban wife struggled with alone. As she made beds, shopped for groceries, matched slipcover material, ate peanut butter sandwiches with her children, chauffeured Cub Scouts and Brownies, lay beside her husband at night she was afraid to ask even of her self the silent question—Is this all?” She based her research on what is called the “feminine mystique”. She explains the standard that woman are held to from birth. Females were not supposed to attend colleges or have dreams of careers. Housewives were there to take care of their husbands, children and home This caused women to become...

Words: 1353 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Sex and Gender

...indicate that parents treat daughters and sons differently in areas specifically related to gender expectations: giving them different toys (Lips 404). Children learn through the process of observation and imitation; hence, the children are exposed to the need of observing the environment in their daily lives. Most parents limit the type of toys their children play which is based on the sex of the child. Girls and boys are provided with toys that showcase the duties of their sex in the society. The following article seeks to show how toys are used to explain sex roles in the society by examining the Social Learning theory. The kind of toy a parent decides to buy for a child signals a particular message to their children. The kind of information children acquire from these toys affects their behavior in a particular way. For example, when a mother buys a doll for her daughter, she expects her to take good care of the doll. A child is expected to clean and nurture the doll as if it were a physical child. A girl attends to the doll as a mother would take care of the baby. The doll will be cleaned in a similar way the child observed her mother take care of another baby. A girl has already been prepared to become a future mother since the toys grant her the duty of being a mother (Lecture May 24, 2014). Children’s toys have also been manufactured on the basis of the roles ascribed to each sex in the society. The boys’ toys are designed in a way which shows the duties of men in...

Words: 600 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Sex and Gender

...What’s on the MCAT2015 Exam? Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior What will the Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior section test? The Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior section asks you to solve problems by combining your knowledge of foundational concepts with your scientific inquiry and reasoning skills. This section tests your understanding of the ways psychological, social, and biological factors influence perceptions and reactions to the world; behavior and behavior change; what people think about themselves and others; the cultural and social differences that influence well-being; and the relationships between social stratification, access to resources, and well-being. The Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior section emphasizes concepts that tomorrow’s doctors need to know in order to serve an increasingly diverse population and have a clear understanding of the impact of behavior on health. Further, it communicates the need for future physicians to be prepared to deal with the human and social issues of medicine. This section is designed to • • • • • test psychology, sociology, and biology concepts that provide a solid foundation for learning in medical school about the behavioral and sociocultural determinants of health; test concepts taught at many colleges and universities in first-semester psychology and sociology courses; test biology concepts that relate to mental...

Words: 6541 - Pages: 27

Premium Essay

Sex and Gender

...image of women in our society? Or do you think it is a bit of both? With improvements in living standards, most people have paid more attention to their physical appearances. With diverse cultural backgrounds, age groups, gender and the media influence, people have had diverging body images, especially women. The media has had a role to educate and inform people. However, in delivering this role, a negative impact has emerged. Media coverage shapes the community, and this has been in existence for several decades. Advertising, as portrayed by the media, has the capacity to produce and affirm the fictions on the desires of women and their identity. In keeping with the media industry’s self-stated mission I creating a market that it pitches to, there is little inevitable stories shown on women about various cultural standards in terms of money, power and cultural presence. Advertising and the various persuasive pattern it hopes to achieve in selling particular brands of feminism, produces casualties in the world that are beyond what the media shows. It also reflects, exacerbates and exploits various deep-seated personal and social anxieties on feminism, masculinity and the continued ambivalence on the shifting gender roles. This undermines the way girls’ and women see themselves and at the sometime normalizes the violence they face in the hands of men. Women and girls are often depicted as being in competition with each other for men....

Words: 378 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Gender and Sex Worksheet

...Gender and Sex Worksheet Answer the following questions in 50 to 150 words each. Provide citations for all the sources you use. What is gender? What is sex in biological terms? Are gender and sex the same thing? Explain why or why not? Gender is basically the state of being either male or female, masculine or feminine. Sex biologically means the categorization of whether an organism is male or female, of having parts of the male reproductive system or female reproductive system. Although gender and sex have very similar meaning, generally they usually differ where majority relate reproductive traits to sex than gender. How do gender and sex contribute to the concepts and constructions of masculinity and femininity? Gender and sex contributes to the concepts of masculinity and femininity on a basis to where contemporary America believes that male is to masculinity as female is to femininity and the truth of the matter is that you can’t judge a person to be a male or female based on whether they are feminine or masculine because both males and females carry traits that are masculine and traits that are feminine. Do our concepts of gender and sex contribute to the ways we embrace gender and sex in diversity? Yes, I believe that our concepts on gender and sex contributes to the way that we embrace them in diversity because we tend to categorize certain aspects to what we feel a male/female should look like, sounds like, smell like, and act like and when...

Words: 354 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Gender Sex Paper

...Associate Program Material Gender and Sex Worksheet Answer the following questions in 50 to 150 words each. Provide citations for all the sources you use. What is gender? What is sex in biological terms? Are gender and sex the same thing? Explain why or why not? Gender is the state of being male or female. Sex in Biological term is sex identifies a person as either female, male or intersex. It is determined by a person’s sexual anatomy, chromosomes and hormones. I think they are different, sex refers to chromosomes, hormonal profiles, internal and external sex organs and gender describes characteristics as in masculine and feminine. How do gender and sex contribute to the concepts and constructions of masculinity and femininity? Women are often viewed as feminine and men as masculine, At times these rules can be reversed and people began to look down on it. In the past few years this has changed and people are more accepting of a women being masculine and men being feminine. Do our concepts of gender and sex contribute to the ways we embrace gender and sex in diversity? Yes for sure, But my concept personally is that it does not really matter to me if a woman is masculine and a man is feminine because I do not feel that it is personally effecting me in anyway. I feel a person should be able to live their life the way they want to without people judging them. Do our concepts of gender and sex contribute to our understanding of sexual orientation? Explain...

Words: 326 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Sex and Gender Roles

...Carlin Gibbs October 25, 2010 Gender and Sex Roles Take Home Exam 1 Question #1 * Gender is a social concept that identifies culturally prearranged responsibilities and roles that both sexes are expected to follow. Men assumed superiority over women and preserved it through domination across the centuries. Consequently, women have perpetually maintained a lower status to men in the United States. But the degree of disparity between the sexes has changed across time and currently women are closer than ever to being somewhat equal to men. However, there are still detrimental theories and ideals in society that preserve the unequal treatment of women. There is no doubt that men and women are physically different. The distinction between the secondary sex traits can be easily seen and measured. Unfortunately, a number of other differences between men and women are distorted through a stereotypical lens. * Women have traditionally been viewed as possessing nurturing and caring characteristics. Therefore, their main focus in life ought to be watching over the home and children. This designated occupation is associated with domesticity and as a result their work is economically undervalued. Men on the other hand hold the role as the breadwinner and are thus more valued (p. 85). This domestic view along with the Hunter-Gatherer model and women’s physical and psychological differences are among the least convincing theories and ideas that attempt to explain women’s...

Words: 2006 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Sex and Gender Feminism

...Essay: Distinguish between sex and gender and explain its implications for feminist theory Click here and here for two recent articles on contemporary Feminism from the New Statesman Magazine and here for a recent Observer article on biology, culture and gender. Click here for Varieties of Feminism In many past societies men and women have performed significantly different social roles and despite a range of economic, political and social changes such differences persist to a considerable extent in the contemporary world. For example in the case of the UK women are still more likely than men to take disproportionate responsibility for childcare and housework; their employment opportunities, although improving, are still worse than men’s and although they finally gained the right to vote in 1928 they are still much less likely than men to become local councillors, MPs or government ministers. There has been great controversy surrounding the extent to which these differences in social roles are explicable by biological sexual differences or by gender differences which are socially constructed rather than biologically determined. Sexual differences refer to biological differences between males and females such that there are variations between males and females in their chromosomes, their reproductive organs and their relative production of different hormones which in turn result in a range of physical differences. Males are on average hairier, have deeper voices and...

Words: 1692 - Pages: 7