Adolescence and Gender

1. Adolescence and Gender • Defining Sex vs Gender • Chromosomal • Hormonal • Gonadal • Sexual Orientation • Gender Identity (mind) • Gender Roles (behaviors) • Gender is what defines us, our masculinity and femininity, not sex or sexual reproduction or sexual behavior

2. Differential Gender Socialization • Parents treat males / females differently • Girls treated less physically, more verbally • Out-role behavior is heavily punished by peers • Middle childhood, rules become more flexible • During puberty, though, rules become more rigid again • Mostly imposed by peers • Traditionally, males have received more attention in school, but recent research shows girls feel more accepted and encouraged than males

3. Cognition and gender • 1. Kohlberg’s cognitive-developmental theory of gender • Gender identity develops around 3 • Gender Permanence develops around 5 • Then M/F select roles – self-socialization • Adolescents abstract the essence of feminine and masculine from many different examples • 2. Gender schema theory – mental organization of facts – we selectively process information based on our gender – and then conform our behavior to that template

4. Female socialization • Womanhood just happens – not achieved • Need to be sheltered from work – physical exertion would weaken the uterus – Narrow gender socialization (traditional cultures) • Should shelter her developing sexuality – would entice males (who we know can’t be controlled) – Narrow sexual socialization, traditional and modern cultures). Only in modern times are girls typically informed of menarche. • Typically work with mother, and remain close to her, throughout life – modified by marriage • Techniques for enhancing appearance – makeup, corsets, hose (foot binding in China)

5. Male socialization • Manhood must be earned – demonstrated • Communal manhood – historical, nontraditional - join the tribe – it is the males who run the community – males need to demonstrate desire & ability to believe in and carry on the traditions – inherit the rules and the farm – modern Fraternities • Provide, Protect, Procreate • Develop character qualities of diligence & stamina, courage and fortitude • Man judged by his character – maturity, ability to be strong (physically, mentally, emotionally) • Modern societies today – Self-made manhood – economic • Passionate manhood – be passionate, fiery, aggressive, a lover

6. American History • Industrial rev. brought in new ideals – become independent – leave home • E.g., inception of YMCA, YWCA • Develop morals, physical ability – recall that the I.R. was a very unhealthy time – needed to re-emphasize health • Gender socialization in traditional cultures becomes BROAD for boys • Other cultures – tribal – e.g., Italian males live at home until they marry • Western cultures today - passionate manhood – self-expression and self-enjoyment more accepted today (but will this last in our new time of conservative values?) • Today, broad gender socialization for girls, and narrow sexual socialization • Narrow gender socialization for boys, and broad sexual socialization

7. Gender Intensification Hypothesis • At puberty, males and females accentuate their gender differences, both externally (physically) and internally (mentally) • Hold rigid gender stereotypes • Intense socialization pressure • Self-conscious about appearance • NORC data show gender role stereotypes have become less rigid

8. Media and Gender • Teen magazines relentlessly promote gender socialization of girls toward traditional feminine characteristics and behaviors • Physical appearance, how to appeal to boys • Also trying to influence teens to buy products – clothes for girls, electronics for boys • Main topic on careers for girls was modeling • Girls more likely to develop a negative body image • Leads to dieting and eating disorders • Males socialize each other to become more aggressive – ridicule each other and women • Establish a dominance hierarchy

9. Masculinity, Femininity, Androgyny • Judith Gibbons’ cross-cultural study of gender ideals • Ideal man & woman = kind & honest • Low value = money and popularity • More important for a man to have a good job • More important for a woman to be good looking • Bem SRI – most desirable M F traits • Expressive traits – Instrumental traits • During adolescence, higher self-image is realted to female androgyny than male androgyny

10. Androgyny may be healthier – more flexible • In adolescence, androgyny more healthy for girls than boys • Acceptance by peers is highest for androgynous girls and masculine boys • So in modern cultures there is a narrow gender socialization in gender traits for boys, but a broad gender socialization in traits for girls

11. Gender socialization as a source of problems • Gender Role Strain • Success, power, competition • Restrictive emotionality (Alexithymia) • Restrictive closeness with other men, including sons • Conflict between work and family relations • Males, gender role difficulties usually include aggression (dominance hierarchy), competition, suppress emotions, pain, injury, 4 times more likely to commit suicide • Increases risk-taking behaviors – which lead to accidents and diseases • Sexual harassment and abuse • Girls – focus on physical appearance – causes stress, pressures girls to define the self in terms of attractiveness, and perhaps contributes to eating disorders • Pressure from boys AND girls

12. American Minority Groups • African American females are more likely to have qualities that are typically thought of as more “masculine” • Self reliance, assertiveness, perseverance • Not as vulnerable to eating disorders • A-A males are perhaps more likely to accentuate hypermasculine characteristics • Latino – F submissive, M machismo

13. Gender stereotypes in emerging adulthood • Stereotypes about work roles, still present, but fading • Why do stereotypes exist? Motivation to BE different.

14. Male / Female circumcision • Much more restrictive for females • Cultural focus & meaning – interpretation of female sexual needs & purposes • No basis in medical science for necessity of either male or female circumcision

15. Discussion questions • Emotions • Roles • Peer Pressure • Media influences • Portrayal of men and women in media

16. Sexual socialization • Males – Broad socialization • Females – Narrow socialization • Exception: bisexuality • Gender socialization • Roles • Males • Traditional – broad • Modern – “narrow” • Females • Traditional – narrow • Modern - broadening • Emotional • Males – narrow • Females - broad