Summary:
In this chapter of the book, socialization and gender roles are examined. First, gender myths about female-male similarities and differences are discussed. Interestingly, it begins w/ a discussion of different traits. These traits vary greatly in terms of which gender they are ascribed to. In addition to this fact, even behaviors that are identical are described as different depending on whether it is a man or a woman performing the behavior. The book then begins with a discussion of if there is a difference between “sex” and “gender.” Sex specifically refers to specific biological characteristics. Though sex may impact one’s behaviors, it does not determine things such as feelings and actions. Gender, however, consist of learned attitudes and behaviors that apply to individuals based on their sex. Gender is a social factor, rather than a factor determined by biological factors with which one is born with. Gender identity is a “perception of themselves as wither masculine or feminine, early in life.” Gender roles are “the characteristics, attitudes, feelings, and behaviors that society expects of females and males.” Therefore, individuals learn to be either a male or a female through interactions with society, friends, family members, etc. Gender stereotypes are also still quite frequent in today’s society. Gender stereotypes are expectations of how someone will act based primarily on one’s sex, and not on other important characteristics.
The second important topic that is debated is the nature-nurture debate. The first aspect of this debate that is discussed is the nature debate. One difference that exists is certain health differences do vary between men and women, such as certain forms of cancer and diabetes (to name a few). Also, sex hormones play a role in some differences between men and women. Additionally, to support the nature debate, unsuccessful sex-reassignments have occurred, in which the only explanation for the individual’s actions after the unsuccessful reassignment is that something inherent in nature caused them to feel the way they did. The second aspect of this debate that is discussed is the nurture debate. One important fact touched upon is how gender rolls across various cultures are different. Additionally, male violence varies across cultures as well. Lastly, some sex assignments have occurred that are successful, lending more proof to the nurture debate. Overall, in the situation of nature-nurture, what can be taken from this debate is that there is an interaction of nature and nurture, which lead to behavior of individuals.
The next topic discussed is why gender roles differ. Sociobiology may be able to account for this. Sociobiology is “the study of how biology affects social behavior.” Unfortunately, their theories and explanations tend to be looked upon with skepticism because there are hardly any individual behaviors that are not influenced socially. Social learning theory is also posed, which focuses on the fact that “people learn attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors through social interaction.” Cognitive development theory argues that males and females gain their values and beliefs based on their own views and interpretation of information in their environment. Symbolic interaction theories focus on how one “does” gender, and base these gender roles based on one’s expectations of what someone else thinks these should be. Lastly, there are feminist theories. Feminist theories view gender as a “socially constructed role.” Consequently, gender scripts are formed, which consists of what society “tells” someone on how to act, etc.
Lastly, the book discusses the different ways in which one learns gender roles. Some of these ways include through one’s parents, through play and one’s peer groups, through teachers and schools, and through popular culture and the media. The book concludes by emphasizing the changes that have occurred in gender roles in more recent times.
New/Interesting/Unusual Items Learned:
I thought that the nature-nurture debate they posed was very intriguing. I found it interesting that there are such strong debates on this topic, but it also seems clear that neither side is entirely accurate. I especially found the argument on sex changes interesting, as there does not seem to be one specific argument that accounts for this issue, as certain changes seem to work, yet other changes are not accounted for with the same theories.
Discussion:
I think it would be interesting to see why in certain cases sex changes seem to work, but in other times (seemingly due to biological factors) they do not work. Additionally I felt compelled to mention that this topic has made it into popular media. There was a Law and Order SVU episode based (though loosely) on this topic.
Also, in reference to our discussion of illegal immigration, I thought an interesting (and funny) look at this can be seen through a South Park episode called South Park: Goobacks (it may not be the most accurate view on the subject, but its entertaining).
http://www.southparkstudios.com/full-episodes/s08e06-goobacks
Karl Wahlen
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