SOC 220 EXAM 1 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Why are issues of gender inherently issues of family and vice versa? - Answer -
because asking which comes first ignores the fact that we cannot understand one
without reference to the other. When talking about family values we are talking about
gender values.
In what ways is gender socially constructed? - Answer -Gender refers to the socially
constructed roles, behaviours, activities, and attributes that a given society considers
appropriate for men and women.
What does "doing gender" mean? How does this contribute to the discussion of gender
as a social construction? - Answer -Doing gender involves a complex of socially guided
perceptual interactional and micropolitical activities that cast particular pursuits as
expressions of masculine and feminine "natures".
What is the "ideal girlhood package"?
What do middle schoolers say about girls and boys that do not follow traditional gender
patterns/displays?
What are the contradictions in middle schooler's feelings about gender and gender
conformity? - Answer -Ideal girlhood package: Confidence, rationality, risk-taking,
athleticism, independence, fearlessness
These ideals are more important than traditionally female personality traits like docility
and submission
That girl should be more athletic, independent, fearless, etc. In fact, sometimes girls will
be teased if they are "too girly" and are rarely teased for being a tomboy
There are less gender confirmation that occurs in girls because the definition of what
makes a girl is expanding
However, there are more strict guidelines for boys and they are more likely to be teased
if they don't do something that is traditionally considered masculine
Which function of the family was primary during the Colonial Period of American History,
public or private functions? What were the public functions of the family during the
Colonial Period? - Answer -Conjugal family: Husband, Wife & ChildrenFamily's public
functions were numerous:
Schools
Vocational training
Hospitals
Houses of correction
Orphanages
Nursing homes
Poorhouses
, Public functions of family were broader than today
No privacy existed for colonial families
Family members
Small homes, many people
CommunityFamily affairs were considered public
business
Puritan laws governed family relations
Diversity of family types did exist
Step families
A kind of "polygamy"
Cohabitation ("living tally")
- One 18th century Maryland preacher wrote"If... no marriage should be deemed valid
that had not been registered in the parish book, it would I am persuaded bastardize
9/10ths of the people in the colony."
What examples from this chapter demonstrate how people "do gender" through family
life? What are some of the arguments against biology organizing gender differences in
parenting? - Answer -Who reads the paper, cooks the meals, controls the TV remote,
etc.
What is heteronormativity? What is "queering"? How does this apply to family structure
and family life? - Answer -Heteronormativity is assuming heterosexuality/opposite-sex
relationships are the norm/default sexual orientation
.Queering is looking for places where things such as gender, sexuality, masculinity, and
femininity can be challenged and questioned.
What does the "politics of sameness" refer to? In what ways does queering childhood
leave open new possibilities in childrearing? - Answer -
When describing the diversity of family formation throughout the Colonial Period, what
were the three types of family formation that the professor discussed? - Answer -Early
American Families, Democratic Families, and Industrial Families
What are the four characteristics of the modern American family? What century did we
see these characteristics of the modern family start to develop? - Answer -Heading
Toward a Private Family
The characteristics of the American Family changed starting in the 1700sFour
Characteristics of the Modern American Family
Marriage is based on affection/mutual respect
Separate spheres of work for men and women
Childhood - attention, affection, and showing love to children
Drop in fertility rate
The Emergence of the Modern American Family: 1776-1900
Why are issues of gender inherently issues of family and vice versa? - Answer -
because asking which comes first ignores the fact that we cannot understand one
without reference to the other. When talking about family values we are talking about
gender values.
In what ways is gender socially constructed? - Answer -Gender refers to the socially
constructed roles, behaviours, activities, and attributes that a given society considers
appropriate for men and women.
What does "doing gender" mean? How does this contribute to the discussion of gender
as a social construction? - Answer -Doing gender involves a complex of socially guided
perceptual interactional and micropolitical activities that cast particular pursuits as
expressions of masculine and feminine "natures".
What is the "ideal girlhood package"?
What do middle schoolers say about girls and boys that do not follow traditional gender
patterns/displays?
What are the contradictions in middle schooler's feelings about gender and gender
conformity? - Answer -Ideal girlhood package: Confidence, rationality, risk-taking,
athleticism, independence, fearlessness
These ideals are more important than traditionally female personality traits like docility
and submission
That girl should be more athletic, independent, fearless, etc. In fact, sometimes girls will
be teased if they are "too girly" and are rarely teased for being a tomboy
There are less gender confirmation that occurs in girls because the definition of what
makes a girl is expanding
However, there are more strict guidelines for boys and they are more likely to be teased
if they don't do something that is traditionally considered masculine
Which function of the family was primary during the Colonial Period of American History,
public or private functions? What were the public functions of the family during the
Colonial Period? - Answer -Conjugal family: Husband, Wife & ChildrenFamily's public
functions were numerous:
Schools
Vocational training
Hospitals
Houses of correction
Orphanages
Nursing homes
Poorhouses
, Public functions of family were broader than today
No privacy existed for colonial families
Family members
Small homes, many people
CommunityFamily affairs were considered public
business
Puritan laws governed family relations
Diversity of family types did exist
Step families
A kind of "polygamy"
Cohabitation ("living tally")
- One 18th century Maryland preacher wrote"If... no marriage should be deemed valid
that had not been registered in the parish book, it would I am persuaded bastardize
9/10ths of the people in the colony."
What examples from this chapter demonstrate how people "do gender" through family
life? What are some of the arguments against biology organizing gender differences in
parenting? - Answer -Who reads the paper, cooks the meals, controls the TV remote,
etc.
What is heteronormativity? What is "queering"? How does this apply to family structure
and family life? - Answer -Heteronormativity is assuming heterosexuality/opposite-sex
relationships are the norm/default sexual orientation
.Queering is looking for places where things such as gender, sexuality, masculinity, and
femininity can be challenged and questioned.
What does the "politics of sameness" refer to? In what ways does queering childhood
leave open new possibilities in childrearing? - Answer -
When describing the diversity of family formation throughout the Colonial Period, what
were the three types of family formation that the professor discussed? - Answer -Early
American Families, Democratic Families, and Industrial Families
What are the four characteristics of the modern American family? What century did we
see these characteristics of the modern family start to develop? - Answer -Heading
Toward a Private Family
The characteristics of the American Family changed starting in the 1700sFour
Characteristics of the Modern American Family
Marriage is based on affection/mutual respect
Separate spheres of work for men and women
Childhood - attention, affection, and showing love to children
Drop in fertility rate
The Emergence of the Modern American Family: 1776-1900
