Lesson 1: changing views of gender and gender roles and the effect
Feminism: the name given to a wide range of views arguing for, and working for,
equality for women
Gender biology: the physical characteristics that enable someone to be identified as
male or female
Gender identification: the way people perceive themselves in terms of masculine,
feminine, both or neither
Gender expression: the ways in which people behave as a result of their gender
identification
Socialisation: the process by which people learn cultural norms
Patriarchal society: a society that is dominated by men and men’s interests
Changing views of gender and gender roles
- Gender and sex have often been used interchangeably, but they are not the
same thing. Sex refers to physical characteristics. Gender is made up of three
main concepts: gender biology, gender identification and gender expression.
- Gender identification and expression are often influenced by the way a society
expects its members to behave and feel
Socialisation
- In the view of many people, but not all, gender is something that is acquired.
From a young age people learn about the expectations associated with being a
boy or a girl and they develop their gender identification and expression
through socialisation.
- Like gender specific toys, gender titles and binary language.
Patriarchy and feminism
- Most societies in the world are patriarchal, men hold the position of power in
government, the workplace and the home. The world is seen through a male
perspective and expressed through male voices
- Men are seen as stronger as they have decided how strength should be
measured (speed and force)
Three waves of feminism
1. First wave 1848-1915
Equality before the law: vote, contract, property, legal, recognition
2. Second wave 1960-1990
Equality in economy, society and politics, jobs, pay, rights, rape, misogyny
3. Third wave 1990-present
Emphasis on cultural, queer, sexual diversity rights
, 4 responses to male and female gender roles:
1. Men and women are not equal: “it is only males who are created directly by
the gods and are given souls” Plato, “...the male is higher, the female is lower.
The male rules the female is ruled” Aristotle
2. Men and women equal in value: Equal in worth but different complimentary
characteristics that equip them for complimentary roles. This view is used to
argue against the ordination of women. Jesus came as man, woman can’t
represent Christ in the Eucharist
3. Women are superior to men: Mary Daly argues that women’s ability and
knowledge is superior to men and that women ought to govern, this would be
result in a more peaceful society and be better for the environment
4. Gender is a choice of matter: there is no such thing as masculine and
feminine qualities, it only appears this way due to socialisation. Gender is not a
binary thing, it is a spectrum, and a matter of choice people can choose how
they express themselves and they have a right to change their minds.
90% of couples want to know the gender of their baby before it is born.
Feminism: the name given to a wide range of views arguing for, and working for,
equality for women
Gender biology: the physical characteristics that enable someone to be identified as
male or female
Gender identification: the way people perceive themselves in terms of masculine,
feminine, both or neither
Gender expression: the ways in which people behave as a result of their gender
identification
Socialisation: the process by which people learn cultural norms
Patriarchal society: a society that is dominated by men and men’s interests
Changing views of gender and gender roles
- Gender and sex have often been used interchangeably, but they are not the
same thing. Sex refers to physical characteristics. Gender is made up of three
main concepts: gender biology, gender identification and gender expression.
- Gender identification and expression are often influenced by the way a society
expects its members to behave and feel
Socialisation
- In the view of many people, but not all, gender is something that is acquired.
From a young age people learn about the expectations associated with being a
boy or a girl and they develop their gender identification and expression
through socialisation.
- Like gender specific toys, gender titles and binary language.
Patriarchy and feminism
- Most societies in the world are patriarchal, men hold the position of power in
government, the workplace and the home. The world is seen through a male
perspective and expressed through male voices
- Men are seen as stronger as they have decided how strength should be
measured (speed and force)
Three waves of feminism
1. First wave 1848-1915
Equality before the law: vote, contract, property, legal, recognition
2. Second wave 1960-1990
Equality in economy, society and politics, jobs, pay, rights, rape, misogyny
3. Third wave 1990-present
Emphasis on cultural, queer, sexual diversity rights
, 4 responses to male and female gender roles:
1. Men and women are not equal: “it is only males who are created directly by
the gods and are given souls” Plato, “...the male is higher, the female is lower.
The male rules the female is ruled” Aristotle
2. Men and women equal in value: Equal in worth but different complimentary
characteristics that equip them for complimentary roles. This view is used to
argue against the ordination of women. Jesus came as man, woman can’t
represent Christ in the Eucharist
3. Women are superior to men: Mary Daly argues that women’s ability and
knowledge is superior to men and that women ought to govern, this would be
result in a more peaceful society and be better for the environment
4. Gender is a choice of matter: there is no such thing as masculine and
feminine qualities, it only appears this way due to socialisation. Gender is not a
binary thing, it is a spectrum, and a matter of choice people can choose how
they express themselves and they have a right to change their minds.
90% of couples want to know the gender of their baby before it is born.
