Chapter 5: Blog

Summary:

Chapter 5 talks about the topics of socialization and gender roles. The chapter begins by explaining basic concepts and ideas, such as the difference between the terms sex and gender. With developing gender identity, many gender stereotypes can be created and exist. The chapter also discusses and brings the idea of the “nature versus nurture” debate, providing the basic question of whether our biology or environment plays the more important role in development. There are theories mentioned that try and provide an answer to this complicated question, such the sociobiological, social learning, cognitive development, symbolic interaction, and feminist theories. It is also mentioned how we learn much of our socialization and certain roles from our families and peers. Ideas of the traditional family and the associated roles suggest how men should have “instrumental” roles, while women should display “expressive” roles. Both of these roles provide certain benefits and stresses accordingly. Even today, there is still much sexual segregation, where it is still dictated how men and women should behave in a particular society.

New Material Learned:

Chapter 5 taught me about androgyny; I was sort of unfamiliar with the idea before. I also learned more about specific gender roles that men and women perform, such as the role of parent versus worker.

Questions:

I want to know not just why sexual segregation exists, but how it is able to exist and have so much dominance in our world. What gives this idea meaning and power besides discrimination?

-Matthew Sniscak