Sociology of Gender Midterm Study Guide – Part 1
Sex
● Definition: A biological classification based on reproductive anatomy, chromosomes,
and hormone levels.
● Categories: Male, Female, Intersex.
● Key Features:
○ Determined by chromosomes (XX, XY, variations), hormones (testosterone,
estrogen), and genitalia.
○ Intersex individuals challenge the strict male-female binary.
● Example: A baby born with a penis and XY chromosomes is classified as male at birth.
Gender
● Definition: A social construction that defines what men and women are expected to be
like, how they should behave, and what roles they should perform.
● Key Features:
○ Not biologically determined—gender varies by culture, time period, and social
norms.
○ Influences social expectations of masculinity and femininity.
● Example: In some cultures, long hair is considered feminine, while in others (e.g., Native
American traditions), it can symbolize strength in men.
Sex Category
● Definition: The way we perceive and categorize another person’s sex based on external
cues like clothing, voice, body shape, and behavior.
● Key Features:
○ It is not always aligned with biological sex or gender identity.
○ Can lead to misgendering, especially for trans and nonbinary people.
● Example: Someone wearing a dress with long hair and makeup may be categorized as
female, even if they identify as male or nonbinary.
,Gender Identity
● Definition: A person’s internal sense of their gender.
● Key Features:
○ May align or differ from the sex assigned at birth.
○ Examples of gender identities:
■ Man, woman, nonbinary, genderfluid, genderqueer, agender.
● Example: A person assigned female at birth who identifies as a man may transition by
changing their pronouns, appearance, and/or undergoing hormone therapy.
Fausto-Sterling's View on the Number of Sexes
● Main Argument: The binary system (male/female) is too simplistic because genetic,
hormonal, and anatomical variations exist.
● Findings:
○ Proposes at least five sexes instead of two:
1. Male
2. Female
3. Hermaphrodite (both ovarian and testicular tissue).
4. Male Pseudohermaphrodite (testes + ambiguous or female genitalia).
5. Female Pseudohermaphrodite (ovaries + ambiguous or male genitalia).
○ Many intersex individuals are assigned a sex at birth through surgery, often
without their consent.
● Example: Someone born with XX chromosomes but high testosterone levels and
ambiguous genitalia.
Bem Sex Role Inventory / Bem Androgyny Scale
Differences by Sex
● Findings:
○ Men historically scored high on masculinity, women high on femininity.
○ Women have become more androgynous over time, while men’s scores remain
stable.
○ This suggests that gender roles are shifting for women but remain rigid for men.
● Example: More women now score high in traits like assertiveness, leadership, and
independence.
,Differences by Age
● Findings:
○ Men tend to become more androgynous as they age (especially after becoming
fathers or retiring).
○ Women’s results vary: Some become more feminine (especially mothers), while
others become more masculine (due to reduced pressure to conform to beauty
norms).
● Example: Older men often show increased nurturing behaviors, while older women
may reject beauty expectations.
Differences by Race
● Findings:
○ Black women score the highest in masculinity.
○ Asian women score the highest in femininity.
○ White and Latina women fall in between.
● Example: Black women are often perceived as assertive and independent, which
affects workplace experiences and social expectations.
Transgender
● Definition: A person whose gender identity does not align with their sex assigned at
birth.
● Key Features:
○ Some trans people socially transition (change name, pronouns, clothing).
○ Others may medically transition (hormone therapy, surgery), but not all trans
people do.
● Example: A person assigned female at birth identifies as a man and starts testosterone
therapy.
Cisgender
● Definition: A person whose gender identity aligns with their sex assigned at birth.
● Key Features:
○ The opposite of transgender.
● Example: A person assigned female at birth identifies as a woman and follows traditional
feminine gender roles.
, Intersex
● Definition: A person born with sex characteristics (chromosomes, genitalia, hormone
levels) that do not fit typical definitions of male or female.
● Key Features:
○ Doctors often perform non-consensual surgeries on intersex infants to assign them
a binary sex.
○ Challenges the male-female binary.
● Example: A baby born with XX chromosomes but external male genitalia.
Status & Role Theory
Role
● Definition: Social expectations attached to a status.
● Example: A professor is expected to teach, grade assignments, and mentor students.
Status
● Definition: A social position in society.
● Types:
○ Ascribed Status: Assigned at birth (e.g., race, gender).
○ Achieved Status: Earned through effort (e.g., college degree).
● Example: Being a student, doctor, or parent are statuses.
Role Performance
● Definition: How well a person meets societal expectations for their status.
● Example: A student who attends class, studies, and participates actively is fulfilling their
role well.
Internalization of Expectations
● Definition: When societal norms become part of an individual's identity and feel natural.
● Example: A woman who automatically apologizes when speaking forcefully because
assertiveness is discouraged in women.
Sex
● Definition: A biological classification based on reproductive anatomy, chromosomes,
and hormone levels.
● Categories: Male, Female, Intersex.
● Key Features:
○ Determined by chromosomes (XX, XY, variations), hormones (testosterone,
estrogen), and genitalia.
○ Intersex individuals challenge the strict male-female binary.
● Example: A baby born with a penis and XY chromosomes is classified as male at birth.
Gender
● Definition: A social construction that defines what men and women are expected to be
like, how they should behave, and what roles they should perform.
● Key Features:
○ Not biologically determined—gender varies by culture, time period, and social
norms.
○ Influences social expectations of masculinity and femininity.
● Example: In some cultures, long hair is considered feminine, while in others (e.g., Native
American traditions), it can symbolize strength in men.
Sex Category
● Definition: The way we perceive and categorize another person’s sex based on external
cues like clothing, voice, body shape, and behavior.
● Key Features:
○ It is not always aligned with biological sex or gender identity.
○ Can lead to misgendering, especially for trans and nonbinary people.
● Example: Someone wearing a dress with long hair and makeup may be categorized as
female, even if they identify as male or nonbinary.
,Gender Identity
● Definition: A person’s internal sense of their gender.
● Key Features:
○ May align or differ from the sex assigned at birth.
○ Examples of gender identities:
■ Man, woman, nonbinary, genderfluid, genderqueer, agender.
● Example: A person assigned female at birth who identifies as a man may transition by
changing their pronouns, appearance, and/or undergoing hormone therapy.
Fausto-Sterling's View on the Number of Sexes
● Main Argument: The binary system (male/female) is too simplistic because genetic,
hormonal, and anatomical variations exist.
● Findings:
○ Proposes at least five sexes instead of two:
1. Male
2. Female
3. Hermaphrodite (both ovarian and testicular tissue).
4. Male Pseudohermaphrodite (testes + ambiguous or female genitalia).
5. Female Pseudohermaphrodite (ovaries + ambiguous or male genitalia).
○ Many intersex individuals are assigned a sex at birth through surgery, often
without their consent.
● Example: Someone born with XX chromosomes but high testosterone levels and
ambiguous genitalia.
Bem Sex Role Inventory / Bem Androgyny Scale
Differences by Sex
● Findings:
○ Men historically scored high on masculinity, women high on femininity.
○ Women have become more androgynous over time, while men’s scores remain
stable.
○ This suggests that gender roles are shifting for women but remain rigid for men.
● Example: More women now score high in traits like assertiveness, leadership, and
independence.
,Differences by Age
● Findings:
○ Men tend to become more androgynous as they age (especially after becoming
fathers or retiring).
○ Women’s results vary: Some become more feminine (especially mothers), while
others become more masculine (due to reduced pressure to conform to beauty
norms).
● Example: Older men often show increased nurturing behaviors, while older women
may reject beauty expectations.
Differences by Race
● Findings:
○ Black women score the highest in masculinity.
○ Asian women score the highest in femininity.
○ White and Latina women fall in between.
● Example: Black women are often perceived as assertive and independent, which
affects workplace experiences and social expectations.
Transgender
● Definition: A person whose gender identity does not align with their sex assigned at
birth.
● Key Features:
○ Some trans people socially transition (change name, pronouns, clothing).
○ Others may medically transition (hormone therapy, surgery), but not all trans
people do.
● Example: A person assigned female at birth identifies as a man and starts testosterone
therapy.
Cisgender
● Definition: A person whose gender identity aligns with their sex assigned at birth.
● Key Features:
○ The opposite of transgender.
● Example: A person assigned female at birth identifies as a woman and follows traditional
feminine gender roles.
, Intersex
● Definition: A person born with sex characteristics (chromosomes, genitalia, hormone
levels) that do not fit typical definitions of male or female.
● Key Features:
○ Doctors often perform non-consensual surgeries on intersex infants to assign them
a binary sex.
○ Challenges the male-female binary.
● Example: A baby born with XX chromosomes but external male genitalia.
Status & Role Theory
Role
● Definition: Social expectations attached to a status.
● Example: A professor is expected to teach, grade assignments, and mentor students.
Status
● Definition: A social position in society.
● Types:
○ Ascribed Status: Assigned at birth (e.g., race, gender).
○ Achieved Status: Earned through effort (e.g., college degree).
● Example: Being a student, doctor, or parent are statuses.
Role Performance
● Definition: How well a person meets societal expectations for their status.
● Example: A student who attends class, studies, and participates actively is fulfilling their
role well.
Internalization of Expectations
● Definition: When societal norms become part of an individual's identity and feel natural.
● Example: A woman who automatically apologizes when speaking forcefully because
assertiveness is discouraged in women.
