How a person perceives and feels about their body is called consciousness
Notes to Sex and GenderI. SEX AND GENDER Show
1. Primary sex characteristics
2. Secondary sex characteristics
3. Sexual orientation
a. rooted in biology b. or/and social components (Debate)
4. hermaphrodite: a person in whom sexual differentiation is ambiguous or incomplete (thousands each year)(Ex: ‘Sex Unknown’) 5. transgender: A person in whom the sex-related structures of the brain that define gender identity are opposite from the physical sex organs of the person’s body. 6. transvestite : A male who lives as a woman or a female who lives as a man but does not alter the genitalia.
B. Gender
1. A microlevel analysis of gender focuses on: a. gender roles: the attitudes, behavior, and activities that are socially defined as appropriate for each sex and are learned through the socialization process. Traditionally, women's gender role has been that of wife and mother, and mens' has been that of economic provider. This is changing to some degree Research shows: peers often make non-traditional gender socialization much more difficult for parents and children. many fathers also take an active role in socializing their sons to be thoughtful and caring individuals who do not live by traditional gender stereotypes. mothers with non-traditional views encourage their daughters to be independent. b. gender identity: a person's perception of the self as female or male. 1. body consciousness:
2. A macrolevel analysis of gender examines: a. structural features: external to the individual, which perpetuate gender inequality 1. gendered institutions:
2. gendered belief system
C. Sexism:
1. negative attitudes toward women 2. stereotypical beliefs that reinforce and justify the prejudice:
3. discrimination: Acts that exclude, distance, or keep women separate.
II. GENDER STRATIFICATION IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE A. Hunting and gathering societies
B. Horticultural societies
C. Pastoral societies : The domestication of large animals to provide food
1. polygyny: The marriage of one man to multiple wives.
2. menstrual taboos
3. bridewealth
D. Agrarian societies 1. gender inequality increases here as men become more involved in food production.
E. Industrial societies 1. the status of women declines further
III. GENDER AND SOCIALIZATION A. Parents as Agents of Gender Socialization 1. clothing, chores, and toys reflect gender expectations. --From birth, parents act toward children on the basis of gender labels; children's clothing and toys, chores reflect their parents' gender expectations (also names).
a. varies by race/ethnicity and social class.
B. Peers and Gender Socialization 1. adolescence: peers are strong and effective agents of gender socialization—especially for males.
2. among college students: career choices and long term, intimate relationships.
C. Teachers and Schools and Gender Socialization 1. gender bias
D. Sports and Gender Socialization 1. The type of game played differs with the child's sex Sports and Gender Socialization --The type of game played differs with the child's sex: from elementary school through high school, boys play football and other competitive sports while girls are cheerleaders, members of the drill team, and homecoming queens (supportive roles). --For many males, sports participation and spectatorship is a training ground for masculinity; for females, sports still is tied to the male gender role, thus making it very difficult for girls and women to receive the full benefits of participating in such activities. E. Mass Media and Gender Socialization 1. The media are powerful sources of gender stereotyping: 2. On television: a. more male than female roles are shown b. male characters:aggressive, constructive, and direct. c. females: deferential toward others; use manipulation to get their way. d. some changes in prime-time TV:
3. Advertising also plays an important role in gender socialization:
F. Adult Gender Socialization 1. gender-appropriate conduct is taught in schools and the workplace:
2. Different gender socialization may occur as people reach their forties and enter "middle age."
IV. CONTEMPORARY GENDER INEQUALITY A. Gender-segregated work
B. Labor market segmentation
C. Comparable worth
D. Family demands remain mostly women's responsibility: Again, “Second Shift” V. PERSPECTIVES ON GENDER STRATIFICATION A. Functional and neoclassical economic perspectives 1. Traditional gender role importance
2. The human capital model
a. what individuals earn is the result of: 1. their own choices: education and job training, experience 2. labor market demand: certain kinds of workers at specific points in time.
3. But problems with traditional gender roles.
B. Conflict perspective 1. Patriarchyàthe gendered division of labor within families and the workplace
2. Marxist tradition: gender stratification results from private ownership of the means of production.
C. Feminist Perspectives 1. Feminism: Women and men should be valued equally and have equal rights.
a. Gender is socially constructed
VI. GENDER ISSUES IN THE TWENTYFIRST CENTURY A. Progress in the past 30 years:
B. Many men have joined feminist movements (ex: Lesbian Fem. men). C. However, the U.S. has a long way to go:
RESOURCES Websites: Books from the WCC library: What is called consciousness?Consciousness is your individual awareness of your unique thoughts, memories, feelings, sensations, and environments. Essentially, your consciousness is your awareness of yourself and the world around you. This awareness is subjective and unique to you.
What is the consciousness of a person?Consciousness is not a process in the brain but a kind of behavior that, of course, is controlled by the brain like any other behavior. Human consciousness emerges on the interface between three components of animal behavior: communication, play, and the use of tools.
Where is consciousness in the body?Neuroscientists believe that, in humans and mammals, the cerebral cortex is the “seat of consciousness,” while the midbrain reticular formation and certain thalamic nuclei may provide gating and other necessary functions of the cortex (12).
What is a conscious feeling?An emotion is the conscious experience that occurs when you are aware that you are in particular kind of situation that you have come, through your experiences, to think of as a fearful situation. If you are not aware that you are afraid, you are not afraid; if you are not afraid, you aren't feeling fear.
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