Def. Expectations society places on a man and female
Sex Def. Biological differences between men and woman
Significant effect on identity especially if living in a patriarchal society as feminist say its socially constructed such as females are seen and treated as inferior to males
Many agree that gender is one of the most significant aspects of an individual’s identity
Fluid and changing
Gender Socially Constructed
Known as cultural classification of people as masculinity or feminine so reinforce stereotype
Idea back to the nature/nurture debate
Biological View
Sociologists such as Wilson (1975) argues that the need to reproduce requires men to be more promiscuous and woman need the nurture one child
Gender roles are the natural product of biology
Functionalist View
Parsons (1955) said females have an expressive role
Natural and based on their childbearing role so reinforced by socialisation
Males have instrumental role being breadwinner and protector so natural based on physical strength so reinforce by socialisation
These roles are functional for the family and society
Tcham Bill Tribe studied by media suggest d=gender identity is learned rather than biologically determined
Feminities; Is There Only One Way of Being Femine?
Range of feminine identities available in contemporary UK including traditional and less traditional such as housewife but also breadwinner
Argued that learned through socialisation and evidence to suggest that this may be slowly changing
Masculinity and femininity have changed and altered
For men includes decline industry, meaning that the type of masculinity changed so brought by globalisation to fit into society
For woman, they can focus on education and her career