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Gender

Gender. Gender. 1930’s Margaret Mead Is masculine/feminine idea of gender universal? Three groups in New Guinea Gender patterned by culture. Sex and Gender. Sex is biological Gender is cultural Social, cultural, psychological expectations a culture has of members of each sex

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Gender

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  1. Gender

  2. Gender • 1930’s Margaret Mead • Is masculine/feminine idea of gender universal? • Three groups in New Guinea • Gender patterned by culture

  3. Sex and Gender • Sex is biological • Gender is cultural • Social, cultural, psychological expectations a culture has of members of each sex • At least two sexes and genders, sometimes more

  4. Sex and Gender • Cultural construction of gender • 1970’s feminist anthropology studies gender roles focusing on women’s lives • History, impact of colonialism, industrialization

  5. Sex and Gender • Many cultures recognize alternatives • Nandi of Kenya, female husband • Oman of Saudi Arabia, xanith • Native American, two-spirit role • Tahiti, mahu • India, hijra

  6. Cultural variation in sexual behavior • Acceptable sexual behavior varies by culture • What is erotic? • Kissing • sniffing(Tahitians) • grooming(Trobrianders)

  7. Cultural variation in sexual behavior • Acceptable sexual behavior varies by culture • Is homosexuality acceptable? • Stigma • Period of homosexuality part of process of becoming a man (Sambia of New Guinea)

  8. Cultural variation in sexual behavior • Acceptable sexual behavior varies by culture • What role does sexuality play in culture? • The Irish of Inis Beag • Not discussed, not mature until 40’s, little sex • Polynesians of Mangaia • Sex is private, but much public joking

  9. Cultural variation in sexual behavior • Acceptable sexual behavior varies by culture • How does power influence sexuality? • Covering the body, seclusion, honor and shame • Marriage, divorce, adultery controlled by one part of society, church, colonial power • Female circumcision (to control sexuality, prove marriageability), Chinese footbinding, sati (widow joins funeral pyre)

  10. Rites of Passage • In the US, adolescence is transition between childhood and adulthood • In many cultures passage into adulthood marked by ritual • Announces transition to community • Transmission of culture • Reduces trauma of transition

  11. Rites of Passage • Male initiation • Separation from family, often traumatic and prolonged • Often in cultures where boys have strong connection with mother

  12. Rites of Passage • Female initiation • May be public or private, long process or quick ceremony • Often in cultures where woman lives with mother in adulthood

  13. Gender Roles • A culture’s expectations of men and women • What kind of jobs • Personality traits • Acceptable behavior

  14. Gender Roles • Gender hierarchy • Ways in which gendered activities and qualities are valued differently • Different distribution of resources, power, and prestige

  15. Gender Roles • Private/public dichotomy • Gender system in which women have low status because they are at home with children while men are identified with public, prestigious, political and economic roles

  16. Gender Relations - Foraging • Women gather food and hunt • Tlingit, NW Coast • Egalitarian gender relations • Men and women equal access to status by trade and by becoming a shaman • Women held positions- head of clan • History has carried on, today Tlingit women hold high offices, are encouraged to pursue education and professional careers

  17. Gender Relations - Horticultural • Wide range of gender relationships • Segregation of sexes • Men’s house, ritual, secrecy • Women’s strong bonds to female kin through shared work harvesting swamp taro

  18. Gender Relations - Horticultural • Example of change over time – Nukumanu, Polynesian atoll • Horticulture and fishing, male and female roles equally valued • 1880’s colonialism, coconut production commercial foods bought with wages replaced taro that had been produced by women

  19. Gender Relations - Agricultural • Women work more in home, raising more children, status declines • Men produce product for market and food for family, status increases

  20. Gender Relations - Industrial • Use of machinery and wage labor often increases gender inequality

  21. Gender Relations • Development projects should consider the impact on gender relations • Do not want to create gender inequality as this may increase conflict within society

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