Gender Development - Concepts

SEX AND GENDER

The term sex refers to biological status as either male or female. It is defined by our chromosomes, hormones and anatomical differences The term gender is psychosocial and refers to notions about the expected roles, behaviours and attitudes of males and females within a given society

The concept of gender is a Social Construction, meaning it is invented by society, so different societies will understand gender differently

Masculine and Feminine are often used to describe roles, behaviours and attitudes that are deemed appropriate for males and females respectively

Typical Roles A masculine role would be that of a father: Financial provider, practical job responsibility and decision maler A feminine role would be that of a mother: Care-giver, Household management and carer of sick relatives

Early attempts to measure masculinity and femininity assumed that an individual could not be both a bit of both

Not long ago in western society, those who were of one sex but the contradictory gender were classified as deviants.

Only recently has it been accepted that an individual may show characteristics of both masculinity and femininity.

ANDROGYNY

A person whose characteristics are a balanced mixture of masculine and feminine traits

In 1974, Sandra Bem invented the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) to measure androgyny

The scale worked on the presumption that:

Masculine personalities are forceful, aggressive and independent Feminine personalities are warm, affectionate and gentle Neutral personalities are friendly, loyal and theatrical

Sex Role Stereotypes

A sex role stereotype is an organised belief about the behaviour, attitudes and characteristics expected of males or females

Studies illustrate the following: Adult Gender Stereotypes about infants Children's gender stereotypes Gender stereotypes in the media

Baby X - The adult is told if the baby is male or female, or they are not given a specific gender. They are then observed as to what toys they give to the baby to play with for the duration of the study

Ideas of gender are particularly fixed between three and five. Preschool children make prediction on gender due to sex, whilst older children take in other factors if they are present.

Difference in portrayal of role in television and books, as well as how the book is read to the child by the parent.On television, females are outnumbered 2 to 1 by males, younger than males and four times more likely than males to be dressed provocatively

Sex and Gender

Androgyny

Stereotypes