Gender Studies Key Concepts
Sex vs. Gender
Sex: Biological differences (e.g., chromosomes, anatomy).
Gender: Socially constructed roles and identities.
Masculinity
Traits associated with men (e.g., strength, stoicism); socially constructed.
Femininity
Traits associated with women (e.g., nurturing, emotional); socially constructed.
Socialization
Process by which individuals learn societal norms, including gender roles.
Patriarchy
A system where men hold dominant power in roles, institutions, and ideologies.
Public / Private
Public: work, politics (male-dominated); Private: home, caregiving (assigned to women).
Essentialism
Belief that gender traits are innate and biologically determined.
Binaryism
Divides gender into male/female; ignores non-binary identities.
Power
Influence over others, often tied to gender roles and structures.
Hegemony
Dominance of a particular group or ideology, e.g., hegemonic masculinity.
Hierarchy
Ranking of groups, often placing men above women and cis over trans individuals.
Stereotype
Oversimplified beliefs about gender, limiting roles and expression.
Gender Roles
Expected behaviors based on gender (e.g., men work, women care).
Gender Relations
Interactions between genders shaped by norms and power.
Deconstruction
Challenging traditional concepts like gender binaries.
Resistance
Challenging gender norms and power structures (e.g., feminism).
Sexual Division of Labour
Assignment of roles by gender (e.g., men as providers, women as caregivers).