CHAPTER 5 Socialization and Gender Roles Sex biological characteristics we are born with chromosomes anatomics hormones whether we are male or female Gender learned attitudes and behaviors that characterize women and men based on social and cultural expectations rather than physical traits Gender Identity a perception of oneself as masculine or feminine early in life learned in early childhood Gender Roles characteristics attitudes feelings and behaviors that society expects of men Gender Stereotypes expectations about how people will look act think and feel based on and women their sex females typically associated with weakness males with strength Nature vs Nurture Debate Nature argument nature shapes behavior b c of developmental health differences effects of sex hormones and unsuccessful sex reassignment developmental health differences Boys mature slower get sick more often greater risk of genetic disorders Girls twice as likely to suffer from depression anxiety eating disorders senses of smell and taste are more acute higher risk of developing diabetes migraines more common effects of sex hormones estrogen progesterone and testosterone produce different physiological changes in males and females after puberty unsuccessful sex reassignment Nurture Argument nurture is more important because socialization and culture shape behavior cross cultural variations in gender roles attributes considered masculine or feminine were culturally determined not biologically Cross cultural variations in male violence successful sex assignments Why do Gender roles differ sociobiology study of how biology affects social behavior argues that evolution and genetic factors can explain why for example men are generally more aggressive Social learning theory people learn attitudes beliefs and behaviors through social interaction learning is a result of reinforcement imitation and modeling of role models most often parents Cognitive Development theory children acquire female or male values on their own by thinking reasoning and interpreting information in their environment children pass through a series of developmental stages in learning gender appropriate attitudes and behaviors Symbolic Interaction Theories gender roles are socially constructed categories that emerge in social situations we do gender consciously and unconsciously by accommodating our behavior to other people s gender role expectations impression management presenting yourself in a favorable light Feminist Theories gender is a socially constructed role that is taught carefully and Gender Scripts how society says someone is supposed to act because of his or her repeatedly sex result in valuing men more than women Sexism an attitude or behavior that discriminates against one sex based on the superiority of the other sex How do we learn gender roles Parents first and most influential talking setting expectations and providing opportunities are often gender typed Play and Peer Groups Siblings and Peers peer group people who are similar in age social status and interests Older siblings can be positive or negative role models peer influence increases with age Teachers and Schools reinforce gendered attitudes and practices unintentionally Popular Culture and the media Advertising effects on self image eating disorders electronic media can result in lower grades and lower personal contentment behavior violent video games can lead to increased aggressive feelings and Gender Ideologies and Traditional Gender Roles Gender Ideology attitudes regarding the appropriate roles rights and responsibilities of women and men in society Egalitarian gender ideologies endorse women and men s shared breadwinning and Traditional gender ideologies emphasize distinct instrumental and expressive nurturing family roles family roles Instrumental traditionally husbands and fathers must be real men procreator protector breadwinner Expressive wives and mothers provide the emotional support and nurturing that sustain the family unit and support the husband Warm sensitive sympathetic kin keeper Benefits of Traditional Gender Roles For Men positive self image of being the provider little marital stress Does not have to do much housework or childcare has a non stressed sexual partner Benefits of Traditional Gender Roles For Women Do not have to juggle job and kids time to focus on husband lots of time with kids nurturing husband and children Costs For men Costs for women loss of identity little time with family wife may feel unappreciated no financial security if divorce often alone sense of uselessness Why do traditional gender roles persist rewarding profitable for business maintain male privilege and power Gender roles in adulthood some argue that women are dominating society others argue that there is still gender stratification people s unequal access to wealth power status opportunity because of their sex Gender and Family Life since 1965 Child Care and Housework women still doing most of it but there has been a shift Family work conflicts 50 of fathers and 56 of mothers say its hard to juggle work and family responsibilities Gender and Workplace Sex segregated work many U S occupations are filled almost entirely by either women or men Sexual Harassment any unwanted sexual advance request for sexual favors or other conduct of a sexual nature that makes a person uncomfortable and interferes with their work verbal non verbal or physical contact Gender and Politics male dominated politics 82 men in congress women s voting rates have been higher than men s since 1984 women less likely to receive encouragement to run for office sexism Gender and Education In K 12 schools as rank and pay increase number of women decreases women less likely to be promoted and hired Gender and Religion across all age and faith groups women tend to be more religious than men but often shut out of leadership positions Gender and language Gender Inequality Across Cultures women and men are more similar than different in their interactions our cultural norms and gender role expectations shape the sexe s communication patters women are more comfortable talking about their feelings and men are socialized to be dominant and take charge women more likely to probe for a greater understanding of feelings and perceptions men s speech reflects conversational dominance Global Gender Gap Index based on economic participation and opportunity educational attainment political empowerment and health and