Gender Identity
An inner sense of belonging to one or several, or no particular gender(s)
Sex
male and female; biologically based differences between men and women (e.g., reproductive and chromosomal functions)
Gender
masculinity and femininity; personal traits and social positions that members of a society attach to being male or female (e.g., appearance, behaviours, preferences, social roles)
Binary
anything separated into two distinct and clear-cut
Gender role socialization
a major role in understanding how gender roles work
Society provides different gender roles or scripts, and boys and girls are socialized into these roles through a process of subtle or explicit sanctions or rewards
-girls should be modest; girls with many partners are ‘sluts’
-boys should be sexually experienced; ‘boys will be boys’
-boys shouldn’t cry; boys who cry are ‘sissies’
-girls shouldn’t be aggressive; assertive girls are ‘bitches’
Patriarchy (Matriarchy)
a form of social organization where men (women) have more authority than women (men)
Hegemonic masculinity
dominant form of masculinity in society that espouses men should be strong, brave, rational, self-reliant, heterosexual and dominate both women and subordinate men
Hegemonic femininity
the form of femininity typically matched to stereotypical behaviours and attitudes (e.g., being emotional, caring, nurturing, emphasized feminine look)
Costs to Women
The average wage of women (across all occupations) according to the United Nations (2025) is about 77% of what men receive
women more part-time jobs owing to domestic responsibilities
women take more parental leave-losing job experience, seniority
Second shift/Double burden:
women do more housework, childcare and eldercare, resulting in less leisure time
Glass ceiling effect
women’s limited potential to move up
Glass escalator effect
e.g., a male nurse quickly moves into an administrative role
