Our Gendered Identities

Gendered Identities Sex Gender identity. Gender (or gender role)

Intersexed individuals have ambiguous genital anatomy.

Transsexual and transgendered individuals are uncomfortable with the gender that society has assigned them.

Gendered Identities

Cultural Gender Expectations Gender differentiation is apparent in our cultural

expectations about how men and women should behave.

Masculine people are often thought to have instrumental (or agentic) character traits –

Feminine people are thought to embody expressive (or communal) character traits –

Language is one of the most powerful tools people use both deliberately and inadvertently to establish and maintain rigid gender roles.

Traits of Males & Females from Gallup PollTrait More True of

MenMore True of Women

Aggressive 68% 20%

Courageous 50 27

Ambitious 44 33

Easygoing 55 48

Intelligent 21 36

Creative 15 65

Patient 19 72

Talkative 10 78

Affectionate 5 86

Emotional 3 90

New Cultural Models for Women

The professional woman:

The superwoman:

The satisfied single:

Psychologist Janet Hyde (2005) found: males and females are similar on most

psychological variables. virtually no difference on most traits, a

few moderate differences, and very few large differences.

To what extent do women and men follow cultural expectations?

Race/Ethnic Diversity and Gendered Expectations Traditional gender stereotypes were based on a

white, middle-class, heterosexual experience. Different norms pervade according to

immigration patterns and experiences as well as within different ethnic groups and social classes.

Black men and women express preferences for egalitarian relationships.

Gender and Socialization Socialization

Process by which people develop their human capacities and acquire a unique personality and identity and by which culture is passed from generation to generation

Theories of Socialization

Classic Interactionist Constructionist Perspective

Social Learning Theory

Theories of Socialization Self-identification theory

Gender Schema Theory

Love and Choosing a Life Partner

Love and Commitment Love is viewed as the primary reason

for getting and staying married. Loving involves the acceptance of

partners for themselves. Loving requires empathy and

commitment.

Love and Commitment Commitment is characterized by a

willingness to work through problems and conflicts as opposed to calling it quits when problems arise; it involves consciously investing in the relationship.

Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love Three components develop at different

times: Passion. Intimacy Commitment.

Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love Consummate Love

Attachment Theory and Loving Relationships A secure attachment style is associated with

better prospects for a committed relationship. An insecure/anxious attachment style entails

“fear of abandonment” with possible consequences such as jealousy or trying to control one’s partner.

An avoidant attachment style leads one to pass up or shun closeness or intimacy.

Mate Selection: The Process of Selecting a Committed Partner

Positive attitudes about the relationship, coupled with realistically positive assessments of a spouse’s personality traits, are important to marital stability.

Supportive interaction results in greater marital satisfaction.

A Sequential Model of Mate Selection

The Marriage Market Individuals enter the market armed with

resources—personal and social characteristics—and then bargain for the best “buy” that they can get.

Arranged Marriages Free-choice Culture

Limitations of Dating Dating leads to intimacy but not

necessarily to commitment Dating tends to skip friendship, which

should be the foundation of a stable relationship

Dating focuses on romantic attraction

Source: Harris, J. (2003). I kissed dating goodbye

Limitations of Dating Dating focuses on enjoying love and

romance solely for their recreational value Dating often isolates a couple from other

vital relationships Dating takes a lot of time and energy Dating creates an artificial environment

Source: Harris, J. (2003). I kissed dating goodbye

Contemporary Trend: Hooking Up

National study and in-depth interviews of more than 1000 college women

Marriage is a major life goal for the majority of college women.

2. Most women would like to meet a spouse while at college.

3. Relationships between college women and college men are often characterized by either too little commitment or too much.

Source: Glenn, N. & Marquardt, E. (2001). Hooking up, hanging out, and hoping for Mr. Right

Contemporary Trend: Hooking Up4. “Hooking up” is a distinctive sex-without-commitment interaction

between college students and has many levels ranging from only kissing to oral sex and intercourse.

5. The ambiguity of the phrase “hooking up” is part of the reason for its popular appeal.

6. “Hooking up” is widespread on most campuses.

7. Dating carries multiple meanings from hanging out (being together) to a high level of commitment.

8. It is rare for college men to ask women out on dates or to acknowledge when they have become a couple.

9. In areas such as marriage aspirations, getting advice from parents, and “hooking up,” college women from divorced families differ significantly from women who grew up in intact families.

Source: Glenn, N. & Marquardt, E. (2001). Hooking up, hanging out, and hoping for Mr. Right

Internet Dating and Matchmaking Services

Some services call themselves “relationship services” charge a fee; applicants fill out forms,

describing their traits and the traits they want in a partner; some services videotape applicants’ responses

Choosing a Mate Age Birth Order Endogamy Exogamy