GENDER AND SOCIETY
understands human
 SEX VS GENDER
 Sex – refers to the different
biological and physiological
characteristics of males and
females (Ex: chromosomes,
genitalia, and other organs.
 Gender – is associated with
masculinity and femininity. It is
more of a psychological/cultural
aspect and it is fluid & non-
binary.
o Gender is a social
construct and can be
associated with social
norms
o Cyst gender – is when
your assigned sex at
birth aligns with your
gender identity
o Transgender – is when
your assigned sex at
birth doesn’t align with
your gender identity
o GENDER IDENTITY –
how an individual
identifies and wants to
be perceived by others
 THEORIES OF GENDER:
 Structural functionalism –
behavior as part of systems
that help keep society
organized and functioning
o From this, gender is
seen as means of
organizing society
into distinct roles that
complement each
other
o Some argues that it
was during the
hunting and
gathering period
when this approach
or theory started.
[Gender roles such
as men = hunting &
women = nurturing]
 Talcott Parsons – He was
a sociologist who argued
that boys and girls are
socialized to take on traits
that are complementary to
each other, to make it
easier to maintain stable,
productive family units
o This theory strongly
encourages to
conform into a
particular standard
 and reject those who A. Clothes and
does not fit in it. make-up
o LOOP HOLES IN expression
THE THEORY: B. Body language
A. Parson was C. Behavior and
basing his theory interactions
based on the - A loop hole of this
division of labor approach is that it
that was specific focuses on the micro
to middle-class rather than the macro it
white America in misses the broaded
1940s-1950s pattern of gender
B. Parson’s theory inequality.
ignores the - GENDER ROLES –
personal and Society’s conception on
social costs of how man and woman
maintaining rigid must behave
gender roles

 Symbolic-interaction  Social conflict theory -

approach – focus on how o (Gender conflict

gender is a part of day-to- theory argues that

day life. gender is a structural

o From this system that

perspective, gender distributes power

is something that a and privilege to

person does rather some and

than something that disadvantages

is innate or imposed others. EX:

by institutions. PATRIARCHY)

o HOW DO PEOPLE o Intersectionality –

DO GENDER? the analysis of the

interplay of race,
 class, gender, sexual equality in the
orientation, and socialist tradition.
other identities which C. Radical
often results in Feminism – to
multiple reach gender
disadvantages equality, society
o Feminism – (closely must actually
entwined with social eliminate gender
conflict theory). It is as we know it.
the support of social (This clash often
equality for all with the rights of
genders, in transgender
opposition to women often)
patriarchy and
sexism
A. Liberal
Feminism –
seeks to expand
the right and
opportunities of
women by
removing cultural
and legal barriers
to women’s
equality.
B. Socialist
Feminism –
views capitalism
as the foundation
of the patriarchy
and advocates
for full economic