Sex and Gender

• define sex

  describe an individual’s physiological status, such as male or female
• define gender

  describe an individual’s psychological identity, such as masculine or feminine
• what are sex-role sterotypes?

  cultural and societal norms (unwritten rules) about what is acceptable behaviour for men and women, and there are pressures for people to conform to these expectations
• how are sex-role stereotypes socialised?

  • parenting
  • peer relationships
  • school and the media
• how are sex-role stereotypes applied to SLT of Gender?

  • Sex-role stereotypes are reinforced directly or indirectly through parents, peers, the media and teachers.
• how are sex-role stereotypes applied to the influence of media on gender?

  • Sex-role stereotypes are evident in the media and when people are exposed to them, they shape gender behaviour.
• how are sex-role stereotypes applied to the influence of culture on gender?

  • Sex-role stereotypes are determined by where you are in the world, and what your society views as ‘normal’.
• how are sex-role stereotypes applied to biology of gender?

  • sex-role stereotypes have been found cross-culturally.
• evaluation of sex-role stereotypes

  • One limitation of research into gender is that it often provides an explanation for the use of sex-role stereotypes in developing gender. One of the contributing factors to discrimination and prejudice in society. This means that sex-role stereotyping is negatively impacting on people by imposing an outdated set of norms and views about behaviour. Any theory that promotes the use of sex-role stereotypes to develop a gender identity can be criticised for being socially sensitive,