CHAPTER 4 -GENDER ROLES

Instructor: Wendy Crapo

HOW MEN & WOMEN ARE DIFFERENT

Women generally live longer.
Women have lower basic metabolism.
Women have shorter head, broader face, less protruding chin, shorter legs and
longer trunk.
Mens teeth generally last longer.
Women have larger stomachs, kidneys and livers but smaller lungs.
Womens thyroids are larger and more active.
HOW MEN & WOMEN ARE DIFFERENT continued
Womens blood contains more water and 20% fewer red cells thus more prone to
faint.
Men are 50% stronger than women.
A womans heart beats more rapidly. (80 beats/minute compared to 72 for men)
Womans blood pressure is generally 10 points lower.
Women tolerate higher temperatures better than lower temperatures men are the
opposite.
WOMEN HAVE EVOLVED
Able to vote now
Can run for political office
Many more are working and having careers
Sexual harassment is against the law (1976)
Marital rape against the law in most states
Abortion
UNDERSTANDING ROLES
How are genders opposite or similar?
Hormones different (female = estrogen, male = androgens)
Are we more alike than different?
Can either gender fill roles?
WHAT IF YOU WERE THE OPPOSITE SEX?
Different career choice?
Appearance?
Aggression?
Peer relations and activities?
Personal Behavior?
Self concept?
 Freedom & restrictions?
Home life?
School life?
Value judgments
GENDER VOCABULARY
GENDER SCHEMA: exaggerated differences, acquired early in childhood.
The earlier learned the more influential & stereotypical.
BIPOLAR MODEL: Explains differences
GENDER ROLE ATTACHMENT: Beliefs of what is appropriate behavior
for gender. Boys model Dads.
GENDER ROLE IDENTITY: Learned young and is deepest concept we
hold of self.
THEORIES

GENDER THEORY: Gender is what we do. The idea of opposites suppresses

and constrains behavior. Denies us opportunities.

Theories continued
SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY: We learn attitudes and behaviors by interactions.
Consequences control behavior. But punishment is not a part of this theory
compared to behaviorists.
BEHAVIORIST THEORY SUBSET
We treat girls and boy different and reinforce different things.
Parents don't usually acknowledge that they treat boys/girls differently.
Theories continued
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT THEORY: Active interpretation of
messages received from the environment. Stresses age in learning.
Kohlberg research found that up to 6-7 years it is superficial and children
determine sex by external appearances (clothing, hair).
One wants congruence and therefore we act appropriately to our gender.
Primary motive is internal independently strive to fulfill role.
LEARNING GENDER ROLES
1. Manipulation
2. Channeling toys
3. Verbal appellations
4. Activity exposure
Girls encouraged to be like Mom Mother's little helper.
Teens treated different. Sons achievements are more important.
Learning Gender Roles
(continued)
Learning Gender Roles
(continued)
PEERS:
- Influenced by approval and acceptance
- Model after peers
- Seek intimacy of peers

PARENTS - most influential when children. They deny they treat both
differently but they do.

Learning Gender Roles

IMMIGRANT GENDER ROLES
Children increase gender role stress.
Mens greatest stress is the work role.
Womens greatest stress is the family role.
Working class differentiates the roles more.
First generation Latinos more reluctant to work outside home.
African American men most supportive of working women.

TRADITIONAL MALE ROLE

TRANSITIONS: men unsure of meaning of masculinity.
Good husband = good provider but wife wants closeness.
If wife works = guilt & conflict.
Marriage = sharing and fairness but often husband is senior partner.
African Americans already equalitarian.
Male Roles in Transition
CONSTRAINTS: Men don't usually have the option not to work.

Men less emotionally expressive but negative attitude if emotional (different

for women).
Difficulty expressing feelings
Unsatisfactory relationships with children
Lower life expectancy, heart disease, hypertension
TRADITIONAL FEMALE ROLE
Women were seen as less competent.
Women less happy in marriage (singles happier).
Due to fatigue, stress and lack of leisure.
Women get old, men get distinguished.

CONTEMPORY GENDER ROLES

Expansion of mans family role
Work and professional roles for women
 Breakdown of male instrumentality and female expressiveness.
ANDROGYNOUS ROLES
Combines male and female characteristics (Expressive and instrumental).
Flexible gender roles.
More satisfying marriages.
Allows the ability to form & sustain intimate relationships.
May have two sources of feeling inadequate pressure to feel male & female.
ANDROGYNOUS ROLES TEST
Gender Roles in Transition
MOVEMENTS
Economics, voting, suffrage.
NOW: gender reform, gay /lesbian rights, abortion.
Greatest problem areas are housework and childcare responsibilities.
Change difficult because sometimes negative reaction towards men who
display female traits.
Religion supports traditional roles.
Since 1960, women have been seen as more intelligent. 1970 greatest change.
VOCABULARY
1. Androgyny: Combining male & female characteristics. Andro=man, gyny=woman
2. Bipolar Gender Role: male - instrumental, woman - expressive. Polar opposites.
3. Gender Identity: Learn at early age whether male or female.
4. Gender Role: Roles we are expected to perform due to male/female.
5. Gender Role Attitude: Belief of what is appropriate behavior, traits.
6. Intensive Mothering Ideology: Children need full time intensive, unconditional
attention from mothers in order to develop into healthy, well adjusted adults.
7. Matriarchal: Female dominates politically & economically, not evident in world.
8. Modeling: Learn through imitation.
9. Patriarchal: Male dominates politically & economically.
10. Post Gender Relationship: Great equality in marriage.
11. Pro-feminist: Fairness is the main issue. Want men close to children and responsible
to family. Issues with only men being drafted.