Gender

• What are the concepts that can explain gender?

  Evolution

  Role of hormones

  Chromosomes
• How does evolution explain gender?

  Dominant male theory - mate more and pass on these dominant genes that help them survive

  Division of labour - men and women adopt role - men = hunt

  women = take care of offspring
• How do hormones explain gender?

  Testosterone - Produced by the testis - SRY gene - higher levels of testosterone in men - larger amygdala

  oestrogen - female sex-hormone

  regulates menstrual cycle - get more emotional before

  Helps men bone development

  Oxytocin

  love hormone in adults

  women have more than men - due to child birth - help build relationship with baby - stimulates lactation - production of milk

  reduces cortisol levels - promotes bonding in adults
• What is congenital adrenal hyperplasia?

  female uterus is exposed to high levels of testosterone - ambiguous external genitalia - resembles a penis

  identified as male at birth - later identify as female

  less than 5% say they want to stay as a male
• How do chromosomes explain gender?

  Tuners syndrome - girls inherit one x chromosome instead to 2 - no menstrual cycle or boobs at puberty
• Strengths?

  Can explain masculine gender identity in women - baucom et al - took questionnaires masculinity and femininity - high testosterone = masculine active

  Low = feminine
• Weaknesses?


  gender differs across culture - difference in gender typical behaviours Belgrave 2000 - argues that African American girls identify with masculine typical roles - combination of social and biological approaches

  tends towards behaviour being binary - contradicts 3rd gender -fa'afafine in Samoa - biologically male but take on female roles - gender fluid