SEX + GENDER

• SEX

  Whether a person is biologically male or female (i.e. what sex organs and chromosomes they have).

  • biological status - male or female
  • fixed / assigned at birth
  • universal
  • biological fact
• GENDER

  Whether a person is psychologically masculine and/or feminine (i.e. how they act and what they identify as).

  • psychological / social / cultural roles
  • expectations of males / females
  • cultural
  • malleable
  • social construct
• SEX ROLE STEREOTYPES

  social and cultural expectations of how males and females should behave.

  set of shared expectations / traits / characteristics that are appropriate for males + females (members within society)

  • taught from an early age
  • children pick up the roles quickly
  • 'gender suitable' subjects in school
  • expectations for job roles
• (+) Supporting evidence: sex role stereotypes

  FURNHAM + FARRAGHER (2000). They found that in TV adverts men are more likely to be shown in autonomous roles within professional contexts whereas women are often seen occupying familial roles within domestic settings.  This suggests that media may play a role in reinforcing widespread social stereotypes concerning gender-appropriate behaviour.
• (+) Supporting evidence: sex role stereotypes


  Roles of parents and teachers encouraging sex role stereotyping - RENEZETT + CURRAN (1992)

  found that teachers gave reinforcements such as praise to boys for instances of 'cleverness', while girls received praise for neatness, supporting the view that teaches enforce sex role stereotypes
• (-) Evidence: sex role stereotypes



  Role of the media: counter-stereotyping - SUZANNE PINGREE (1978)

  found that gender stereotyping was reduced when children were shown featured adverts featuring women in non-stereotyped roles
• (-) Evidence: sex role stereotypes



  Positive influence of the media -

  if media influences do have a negative influence in establishing and reinforcing traditional gender stereotypes, equally they should be able to create and promote positive non-gender-role stereotypes, like female scientists and sports stars. JOHNSTON + ETTEMA (1982) showed 12 year olds a TV programme designed to counter gender stereotypes, and both sexes showed reduced gender stereotyping
• (+) sex-role stereotype 


  it influences career choice which comes from SOOD ET AL They reported that only 12% of British primary school teachers and 3% of nursery school teachers are male, due to early years teaching being seen as a female profession, their nurturing abilities and the unsuitability of males thanks to their perception as intimidating and threatening. This suggests that sex-role stereotypes can affect child careers.