Gender Studies Notes
Core Concepts in Gender Studies
Sex and Gender
Sex: Biological characteristics (chromosomes, hormones, reproductive anatomy)
Gender: Socially constructed roles, behaviors, and attributes
Gender Identity: Internal sense of one's gender
Gender Expression: External manifestation of gender (clothing, behavior)
Historical Perspectives
Pre-1970s: Binary, essentialist views dominated academic discourse
1970s-1980s: Feminist theory established gender as social construct
1990s-present: Intersectional and queer approaches challenge binaries
Theoretical Frameworks
Feminist Theory
Liberal Feminism: Equal rights and opportunities
Radical Feminism: Patriarchy as root of women's oppression
Socialist Feminism: Capitalist and patriarchal systems interconnect
Intersectional Feminism: Multiple forms of discrimination overlap
Queer Theory
Challenges fixed categorizations of sexuality and gender
Influenced by Foucault, Butler, Sedgwick
Emphasizes performativity of gender
Critiques heteronormativity and cisnormativity
Gender Across Cultures
Cultural Variation
Gender systems vary widely across societies
Examples of non-binary traditions:
o Two-Spirit (Native American cultures)
o Hijra (South Asian contexts)
o Fa'afafine (Samoan culture)
Social Construction
Gender norms learned through socialization
Institutions (family, education, media, religion) reinforce norms
Expectations vary based on historical/social context
Gender and Intersectionality
Intersectional Analysis
Coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw
Examines how different aspects of identity interact
Gender intersects with race, class, sexuality, disability, nationality
Multiple systems of oppression operate simultaneously
Privilege and Oppression
Privilege: Unearned advantages based on identity
Oppression: Systematic inequality and discrimination
Understanding power dynamics across intersecting identities
Contemporary Issues
Gender-Based Violence
Intimate partner violence
Sexual assault and harassment
Structural and cultural factors
Prevention and intervention approaches
Media Representation
Stereotyping and objectification
Impact on body image and self-perception
Evolving representations in contemporary media
Critical media literacy
Gender and Work
Wage gap and occupational segregation
Work-life balance challenges
Glass ceiling/glass escalator phenomena
Workplace discrimination and harassment
Gender and Health
Disparities in healthcare access and treatment
Reproductive rights and justice
Mental health considerations
Gender-affirming healthcare
Research Methods in Gender Studies
Feminist Methodologies
Challenging traditional research paradigms
Centering lived experiences
Reflexivity and positionality
Ethics of representation
Mixed Methods
Quantitative approaches: Measuring inequalities
Qualitative approaches: Understanding experiences
Participatory research: Involving communities
Interdisciplinary integration
Gender Activism and Social Change
Social Movements
Suffrage and voting rights
Reproductive justice
LGBTQ+ rights movements
Contemporary feminist movements
Policy and Institutional Change
Anti-discrimination legislation
Gender mainstreaming
Educational initiatives
Workplace policies
