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In this lesson, you will learn about the differences between sex and gender, the impact of gender socialization, and how gender identities are changing. Activities and discussions will help you explore societal expectations and stereotypes surrounding gender.
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“Every year I teach dozens of students at the University of Birmingham. Most of the students on the gender and sexuality courses are women. I guess this is because the boys don't think that gender applies to them: that it's a subject for girls” Louise Brown Gender
After this lesson you should be able to: - • Explain the differences between sex and gender • Describe the main features of modern stereotypes. • Explain the impact of gender socialisation on men and women • Discuss how gender identities might be changing
Group activity • In quick groups, list the differences between men and women. • State whether these differences are due to nurture or nature. • Report out
Sex and Gender • Sex: refers to biological differences between men and women (e.g. differences in genitals and internal reproductive organs) • Gender: refers to cultural and socially constructed differences between men and women. • Gender roles: • pattern of behaviour expected of individuals of either sex within a society. • Gender identity: How we see ourselves, and others see us, in terms of our gender roles.
Gender roles: Nature or nurture? • In her book, ‘Sex and Temperament’, Margaret Mead described three tribes in New Guinea: - • Mundugumar tribe: both sexes displayed masculine traits and both sexes acted aggressively. • Arapesh tribe: Both sexes appeared gentle and passive. Both sexes also equally shared the responsibilities of looking after the children • Tchambuli tribe: the men displayed ‘feminine’ characteristics (e.g. putting on makeup and shopping), whilst women were more aggressive. The women tended to make sexual advances to men, and did all the trading.
Gender and identity • Whether we view ourselves as masculine or feminine, influences how we think about ourselves, how we behave and how we interact we others. • Activity: List some of the socially accepted ways men and women are expected to behave. • Suggest ways in which these expectations might be changing
Gender socialisation and stereotyping • What is stereotyping? • “An oversimplified idea of the typical characteristics of a person or thing” Oxford English dictionary. • Therefore, gender stereotyping could be defined as a generalised ideal or typical characteristics of men and women. • Reinforced in the media – watch this …..
The Role of the family in gender socialisation • The family play an important role in the primary socialisation of children. How might families teach their children about male and female roles?
Parents stereotypes • When might gender socialisation begin in the home: - • A question for new parents might be “is it a boy or a girl” • Parents and relatives might bring up their children in accordance with what’s considered ‘normal’ masculine and female behaviour • Research has shown that baby boys are treated differently from girls.
Division of household chores, 2000/01 UK http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=440
The role of school in gender socialisation • Pair work: - • In pairs, think about education and discuss the role of schools in gender socialisation. You might want to think about: - • The hidden curriculum • Teachers’ attitudes • Schoolbooks • Subject choice
Influence of peer groups • What is a peer group? • A group of people of similar age and status whom we mix with socially. • We try to gain acceptance of our peer group by conforming to the group’s norms and interests. • These norms and interests may revolve around stereotypical masculine and female roles
Female and male Peer groups • How do the norms and interests of male peer groups and female peer groups differ? • To what extent to do they exert pressure to conform to their values? • What might be the consequences of not conforming to the peer groups interests and norms?
Double standards • Amongst teenage boys and men, sexual conquest and promiscuity is often admired and approved. • Yet men (and women) will condemn the same behavior in women.
From Ladette to Lady • Watch the following clip from ITVs ‘From Ladette to Lady’, then answer the following questions: - • What is the main aim of this series? • Why do you think the series was trying to change the women’s behaviour? • Do you think they would make a similar series about men (e.g. From Lad to Gentleman?) • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgtuCi-xl9w
The role of mass media in gender socialisation • Can you identify any pattern in the differences of roles allocated to boys/men, girls/women? • Provide evidence for your conclusions
Women in the media may be portrayed as: - • Sex objects: an object of sexual attraction. The ideal woman can be portrayed as thin, beautiful, sexually seductive and scantily clad. • Being in relationship with men e.g. bosses, husbands and lovers • Housewives and mothers • What are the consequences of media stereotyping?
Gender roles: are they changing? • To what extent do you think gender roles are changing?
Changing female roles and identities • Women are now doing better in education compared to men • Women’s success in politics, education and the labour market have provided role models of strong, independent and successful women. This challenges the old stereotypes of women as housewives and mothers • Because of changing social structures (e.g. education, equal opportunity acts, Changing employment market) women no longer need to survive and achieve status
Is there a Crises in Male identity? Decline in traditional male jobs Underachievement in education Men less necessary for having children due to medical technology Declining importance of traditional male bread winner role Increasing equality between the sexes, influence and economic success of women Rise of New Man? E.g. Caring, in touch with own emotions and sharing housework Increase in anti-sexist ideas
The sexual division of labour All in employment: by sex and occupation, 2008:
Why are more women concentrated in lower status jobs than Men? Employer discrimination Fewer training opportunities Interrupted careers dues to child bearing and rearing Gender socialisation may lead to lack of confidence Lack of affordable childcare facilities may lead to part-time work Lack of trade union organization and support
Questions • To what extent do you think traditional gender roles are changing? • Is there such a thing as the ‘New Man’? • Is there a new femininity which is more assertive and less dependent on men? • To what extent is there a ‘crisis of masculinity ‘?
