Sex and Gender
Sociologists distinguish between sex and gender. Sex refers to male or female biology, while gender is a social expression of biology. Gender has two parts: identity and expression. Identity is the social category of boy/man or girl/woman, and expression is behavior related to gender. Usually, sex and gender match, but separate terms help identify people who don’t fit typical categories. The content of gender roles differs between cultural settings and time periods, and people sometimes act out of a desire not to conform to the roles they are assigned. Nonconformity can lead to social change, such as women in the 1960s dressing less “feminine.” (Cohen, 2015, Chapter 5)
Cosmetic Surgery
Cosmetic surgery is becoming increasingly popular, as more people, especially women, turn to medical procedures to reshape their bodies. Breast augmentation and lifts are the most common cosmetic surgeries for women, with breast reduction being one of the most common for men. These procedures can be expensive, creating inequality between those who can afford them and those who cannot. Additionally, the social construction of gender and sexuality is complex and often happens within families, as evidenced by the treatment of intersex people.
Raising Androgyny
The concept of raising children in an androgynous way has been around for a long time. Parents who choose this approach believe that gender-neutral styles and activities give their children the power to choose their own way and may lead to more egalitarian attitudes in the next generation. While some parents encourage children to bend gender stereotypes, others enforce strict gender roles, even when there is no explicit question of gender identity at issue.
Perspectives on Gender
Biological perspective explains gender patterns by considering sex differences, such as men being promiscuous and women investing in child-rearing. Sociologists integrate social and biological explanations, recognizing that human behavior isn’t always desirable. Feminism sees gender inequality as central to family life and constructed socially. Gender differences arise from social interactions and reinforce men’s dominance. Feminist researchers study gender in popular media, where narrow views of female beauty harm women’s self-esteem and contribute to depression.
Gender Socialization
The differences and similarities between boys and girls and how they come about is a topic of much research and debate. Gender socialization is a process that starts with parents and continues through childhood and into adulthood. Parents express gender identity in various ways, such as decorating their children’s rooms, choosing clothing, toys, and games, and assigning household chores. The parenting patterns that emerge tend to affirm gender differences, which serve to anchor gender identities.
Gender and Religion
Religion continues to have a significant influence on gender and families. Religious institutions are often conservative and promote the breadwinner-homemaker marriage ideal, resulting in more gender inequality in society. However, the relationship between religious doctrine, personal attitudes, and family behavior is complicated. While conservative religious women may endorse gender equality in professional settings, they continue to uphold gender distinctions and male dominance within their households.
Gender at Work
The increase in women’s labor force participation and over the recent decades allowed reducing the barrier between paid and unpaid work, leading to greater independence for women. However, many forms of inequality and difference still exist between men and women in the United States, particularly in the division of labor. Education and occupational segregation have also contributed to this divide. Women’s increased college attendance and work experience have helped integrate many middle-class occupations, but other professions, such as nursing and teaching, remain predominantly female. Persistent occupational segregation can reflect worker preferences or employer decisions, and some jobs may be protected from women’s encroachment.
Trend to Watch: Women’s Educational Advantage
Despite progress in the last 50 years, women still face inequality in income, wealth, cultural influence, and sexual violence. However, women have surpassed men in completing college degrees. This progress in education has allowed women to enter fields previously dominated by men. However, it is uncertain if women’s progress will persist in light of gender bias, and if it will extend to fields where they are still lagging behind men, like executive leadership, engineering, and political influence.
Reference
Cohen, P. N. (2015). Gender. In The family: Diversity, Inequality, and Social Change. W. W. Norton.