Gender Identity

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