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Chapter 4-Gender

The document outlines key concepts related to gender, including its historical context, social constructs, and the impact of patriarchy on gender roles and inequalities. It discusses the evolution of gender understanding, the intersectionality of gender with other social categories, and the prevalence of gender-based violence in Canada. Additionally, it highlights campaigns aimed at addressing these issues and introduces the –Ness Model, which challenges traditional binary views of gender.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
12 views22 pages

Chapter 4-Gender

The document outlines key concepts related to gender, including its historical context, social constructs, and the impact of patriarchy on gender roles and inequalities. It discusses the evolution of gender understanding, the intersectionality of gender with other social categories, and the prevalence of gender-based violence in Canada. Additionally, it highlights campaigns aimed at addressing these issues and introduces the –Ness Model, which challenges traditional binary views of gender.

Uploaded by

yomananany
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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School of Human Resource Management- Faculty of

Liberal Arts and Professional Studies

Course: HRM 3450- Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity

Week 4 - Chapter Four - Gender


Instructor: Ahmed Mohamed
• Understanding of Gender and Sex
• Gender as a Social Construct
• Dominance and Hierarchies in Gender Roles
• Historical and Systemic Patriarchy
• Gender-Based Violence in Canada
Main Points
• Overview of the –Ness Model

2
1. Historical Understanding of Gender and Sex:
o Historically, gender and sex were considered
synonymous, with rigid binary roles (male/female)
and defined societal responsibilities.
• Example: Men worked outside the home, while
women managed households and cared for
children.
2. Current Understanding of Gender and Sex:
o Progress in recognizing gender, sex, and
sexuality as distinct but interrelated concepts.
Understanding • Example: Some men now take on caregiving
of Gender and roles, while women work outside the home.
o Challenges remain, such as the persistent gender
Sex pay gap, where women earn less than men.
3. Binary Groupings and Social Impacts:
o Rigid categories of male/female,
masculine/feminine, and gay/straight
marginalize those who do not fit these norms.
• Example: Individuals outside these binaries
are often labeled deviant or treated unfairly.
o Non-Western cultures challenge these binaries:
• Two-spirited people in Native North
American cultures are recognized as a third
gender.
• Sambia tribe (Papua New Guinea) engages in
same-sex behaviour as part of cultural rites
without adopting binary labels like 3
gay/straight.
1. Gender as a Social Construct:
o Sex: Refers to biological traits (e.g., chromosomes,
anatomy, hormones).
• Example: External traits like genitalia and
internal traits like DNA determine biological
sex.
o Gender: Social roles, attitudes, and behaviors
linked to masculinity or femininity.
• Example: Stereotypes like men being strong
protectors and women being empathetic
nurturers.
o Gender includes:
• Gender Identity: Internal perception of
Gender as a gender (e.g., identifying as male, female, or
non-binary).
Social • Gender Expression: External display of
gender through dress, behavior, and
Construct demeanor.
2. Cultural Variations in Gender Roles:\
o Gender expectations vary across cultures:
• Arapesh culture (New Guinea): Men and
women share child-rearing and are expected
to be gentle and warm.
• Mundugamor culture (New Guinea): Both
genders are equally aggressive, with women
showing little interest in child-rearing.
3. Changing Gender Roles Over Time:
o Gender roles evolve as societal attitudes shift.
• Example: Men now take parental leave and act
4
as primary caregivers, while women
4.Early Gender Understanding in Children:
o Flexible Understanding: Children distinguish gender early but
have a flexible understanding.
• Example: A child may identify someone with long hair and
a pink dress as a girl, but with short hair and jeans, they
may see them as a boy.

o By ages 3–5, children begin seeing gender as stable and prefer


gender-specific toys or clothing.

5.Agents of Gender Socialization:


-Social norms, cultural expectations, and shared
understanding shape
masculinity and femininity.

Gender as a o Parents/Guardians:
• Pass beliefs about gender roles through choices like toys,

Social •
clothes, chores, and discipline.
Example: Boys receive sports equipment, while girls get

Construct o Schools:
dolls.

• Teachers may exhibit biases, enforce stereotypes, or


organize students by gender.
• Example: Teachers may expect boys to excel in math and
science and girls in reading and art.

o Media:
• Books, TV, movies, music, and social media reinforce the
idea that males should be masculine and females
feminine.
• Example: Action movies depict men as strong heroes,
while romantic comedies show women focused on beauty
and relationships.

6.Intersectionality of Gender: 5
o Gender experiences intersect with class, race, age, ethnicity,
1. Dominance and Hierarchies in Gender Roles:
o Dominant forms of masculinity and femininity are often unrealistic
and rooted in power and privilege.
o These ideals are used as standards to judge individuals' adherence to
societal expectations.

2. Dominant Forms of Masculinity and Femininity:


o Hegemonic Masculinity:
• Dominant form of masculinity in society, often associated with
toughness, aggression, and violence.
• Example: Men being expected to hide emotions and display
physical strength.
• Michael Kimmel’s concept of “The Guy Code”—a set of rules that
Dominance men are supposed to follow. These rules in what he calls a “Real
Guys Top Ten List”:
and • 1. Boys Don’t Cry
• 2. It’s Better to be Mad than Sad
Hierarchies • 3. Don’t Get Mad – Get Even
• 4. Take It Like a Man
in Gender • 5. He Who Has the Most Toys When He Dies, Wins
• 6. Just Do It or Ride or Die
Roles • 7. Size Matters
• 8. I Don’t Stop and Ask for Directions
• 9. Nice Guys Finish Last
• 10. It’s All Good

o Emphasized Femininity:
• Focused on beauty, passivity, and supporting men, reinforcing
gender inequality.
• Example: Women being valued for their physical appearance
over their achievements.

Does anyone in society actually measure up to these inflated ideals?

What happens to those who do not fully embody or outright reject dominant forms
of masculinity and femininity? 6
Dominance and Hierarchies in Gender Roles
3. Gendered Marketing in Children’s Toys

• Reinforcement of Gender Stereotypes:


• Toys marketed to boys develop spatial skills (STEM-related).
• Toys for girls cultivate empathy and verbal skills, reinforcing the stereotype that only boys
excel in
STEM fields.
• Example: STEM toys marketed in pink for girls, suggesting girls need "special" STEM toys.
• Inclusive Progress:
• Toy manufacturers now offer more diverse options (e.g., dolls with realistic body types, female
superhero figures, and characters of different skin tones).
• Example: "Children need to see themselves in the toys they interact with" (Elizabeth Sweet).

4. Representation of Women in Advertising (Jean Kilbourne):

• Focus on Physical Appearance:


• Women in advertisements are portrayed as flawless through cosmetics, airbrushing, and
digital
editing.
• Beauty is emphasized as the most important measure of success.
• Example: Advertisements sexualize women by focusing on body parts or turning them into
objects.
• Negative Consequences:
• Dehumanization in advertising creates a climate that perpetuates violence against women.
• Obsession with thinness promotes body shame and unhealthy eating behaviors.
• Sexualization of women and girls sends the message that appearance-based
empowerment is rewarded.
• Example: Ads featuring women in bondage or as victims of violence eroticize abuse.
• Men in Advertising:
• Men are increasingly objectified, portrayed as bigger, stronger, and linked to violence.
• Example: Ads emphasize hegemonic masculinity, where men dominate through aggression.

7
Dominance and Hierarchies in
Gender Roles

8
5. Hegemonic Masculinity and Violence (Jackson Katz):
• Taught Behaviors:
o Supports the notion that male violence is rooted in
society's inability to move away from hegemonic
masculinity
o Boys are taught that masculinity means domination,
aggression, and control.
o Peer groups, fathers, coaches, and media reinforce these
expectations.
o Example: In Gran Torino (2008), the male role model
teaches a boy to "man up" and learn how men "should"
talk.
Dominance • Media Reinforcement:
and o Mainstream media promotes violence as central to
masculinity.
Hierarchies o Examples:

in Gender • How to Train Your Dragon (2010): A father disowns his


son for not being violent, saying, "You’re not a

Roles Viking."
• Shark Tale (2004): A father tells his son, "It’s a fish-
eat-fish world … you either take or get taken.”
• Impact of Hegemonic Masculinity:
o Violence is normalized as a go-to method for resolving
disputes and earning respect.
o Boys are discouraged from qualities like compassion,
empathy, and intellectual curiosity.
o Example: Boys avoid showing vulnerabilities to escape
ridicule, adopting a "tough guise."

9
Dominance
and
Hierarchies
in Gender
Roles
6. Societal Impact of Gender Policing:
• Gender Police:
o Society enforces dominant masculinity, ridiculing boys who
show non-traditional qualities.
o Example: Boys face condemnation for being empathetic or
caring.
• Overall Impact:
o Encourages a culture of violence and inhibits emotional
growth in boys.
o Creates a dangerous societal climate where violence is seen
as a valid way to establish masculine credibility. 10
1. Historical and Systemic Patriarchy:
• Societies are predominantly patriarchal, leading to
systemic gender inequities embedded in social
institutions.
• Example: Male dominance in power, prestige, and
income distribution across major sectors.

2. Education:
• Access to Education:
o Women’s university attainment increased from 15%
Historical in 1991 to 35% in 2015, surpassing men at 30% in
2015.
and o Women are less likely to complete trades
certificates (7% vs. 15% for men) but more likely to
Systemic complete postsecondary education overall.
o Projection: By 2025, women in Canada will outnumber
Patriarchy men in postsecondary education 2:1 (OECD, 2012).
• Gendered Fields of Study:
o Women dominate in education, health sciences, and
social sciences (~75% of graduates in these fields).
o Men dominate STEM fields; in 2013, men were twice
as likely as women to pursue STEM fields.
o Example: Girls with high mathematical ability were
less likely to choose STEM than boys with lower
mathematical ability. Why do you think this is the
case?

11
3. Employment:
Labour Market Participation:
o Gender participation gap reduced from 75.5% (1950) to 8.9% (2015) for
individuals aged 25–54.
o Women are overrepresented in part-time work (75.8% of part-time
workers in 2015 were women), often due to caregiving responsibilities.

Gendered Industries:
o Women dominate healthcare/social assistance (82.4%), education
(69.3%), and food services (58.5%).
o Men dominate construction (88.3%), utilities (77.8%), and mining/oil
extraction (80.5%).

Glass Ceiling:
o Women are concentrated in lower-level positions, even in female-

Historical dominated industries.


o Example: In food services, 59.7% of chefs were men, while 71.6% of

and kitchen helpers were women.

Systemic 4. Gender Pay Gap:


Wage Inequality:

Patriarchy o Women earned $0.74 for every dollar men earned annually
(2014).
o Hourly pay: Women earned $25.88/hour compared to men’s
$28.92/hour, or $0.88 for every dollar earned by men.

12
5. Government and Policy:

Gender Equality Commitments:


o Canada introduced a gender-balanced cabinet in
2016 and appointed its first Minister for gender
issues.
o Quebec’s policies (e.g., subsidized childcare,
parental leave) contribute to narrowing gender
gaps.

Historical 6. Best and Worst Cities for Women:

and Best City: Victoria, BC, due to a strong public


Systemic sector promoting
women into senior management.
Patriarchy
Worst City: Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo,
ON, due to reliance
on male-dominated industries like
construction and
mining.

Example: Calgary and Edmonton also rank low


for gender
equality due to similar male-
dominated industries. 13
Historical
and
Systemic
Patriarchy

7. Consequences of Gender Inequality:


•Persistent disparities in education, employment, and wages
create barriers to equality.
•Example: Knowing that colleagues doing the same job earn more
based solely on gender fosters frustration and inequality 14
in
workplaces.
1. Prevalence of Gender-Based Violence in Canada:
• Women are more likely than men to experience violence,
including intimate partner violence and sexual violence.
• Many incidents of violence go unreported.
o Example: The viral hashtag
#BeenRapedNeverReported (2014) encouraged
millions worldwide to challenge social stigma around
sexual violence.

2. Causes of Gender-Based Violence:


• Hegemonic Masculinity and Emphasized Femininity:
Gender- o Violence stems from societal models of masculinity
that prioritize dominance and power, rather than
Based biological predisposition.
Violence in o Example: R.W. Connell argues violence arises in
societies with unstable social systems that uphold
Canada dominance.

• Framing the Issue:


o Jackson Katz emphasizes that violence against
women is a men’s issue:
• Calling it a "women’s issue" excuses men from
addressing the problem.
• Reframing it as a men’s issue encourages male
participation and accountability.
o Katz promotes a bystander approach:
• Instead of focusing on the perpetrator and victims
• We focus on empowering bystanders to 15
3. Campaigns to Address Gender-Based Violence:
1. HeForShe Campaign:
o Encourages male leaders in governments, corporations,
and universities to drive change.
o The campaign encourages men to speak out against sexism,
champion women’s rights in all sectors—at home, in the
workplace, and in policy-making

2. Walk a Mile in Her Shoes:


o Men raise awareness by walking a mile in women’s high-
heeled shoes to challenge gender-based violence.

Gender- 3. White Ribbon Campaign:


o Men and boys pledge to never commit, condone, or remain
Based silent about violence against women.

Violence in o Example: Founded in 1991, it operates in over 60 countries,


challenging harmful masculinity and promoting gender
Canada equity.

Objectives of Campaigns:
o Examine and address root causes of gender-based violence.
o Promote cultural shifts to challenge outdated, negative
concepts of manhood.
o Inspire men to recognize their potential to contribute to positive
change.

Impact of Campaigns:
o Raise awareness and engage men in addressing gender
violence.
o Promote gender equity and new, healthier visions of
masculinity. 16
o Empower bystanders and communities to take action against
1. Overview of the –Ness Model:
• Developed by Sam Killermann to deconstruct traditional binary
(male/female) and continuum models.
• Argues gender is limitless, and sex, gender identity, gender
expression, and attraction are independent yet interrelated
concepts.
Example: A biologically male person may identify as a woman,
express
themselves in non-traditional ways, and be attracted to any gender.

2. Key Concepts in the –Ness Model:


Gender Identity:
o Refers to an individual’s internal perception of their gender.
o Allows for infinite possibilities; one can identify with woman-ness,
man-ness, both, or neither.
o Example: A person may identify as both highly masculine and
feminine.
Ness Model Gender Expression:
o How individuals present their gender to the world through actions,
clothing, mannerisms, etc.
o Includes diverse expressions like androgyny, agender, and
gender non-conforming.
o Example: Drag queens/kings use exaggerated masculine or
feminine traits as performance art.
Biological Sex:
o Refers to chromosomal, chemical, and anatomical traits but is not
strictly binary.
o Example: Intersex individuals do not fit typical male or female
categories.
Attraction:
o Differentiates between sexual attraction (physical/sexual
desires) and romantic attraction (emotional connection).
o These aspects are not determined by gender identity or 17
expression.
Ness Model

3. Breaking the Binary and Spectrum Models:


•Traditional gender models place male/female and masculine/feminine as
opposites, ignoring fluidity.
•The –Ness Model:
o Uses two continua for each concept, ranging from “0” (null) to
“full” expressions of man-ness, woman-ness, etc.
o Allows individuals to express a mix of masculine, feminine, or
neither traits.
o Example: Someone can be highly masculine and also enjoy
traditionally feminine traits like watching romantic comedies.
18
4. Examples of Gender Expression:
• Traditional Expression:
o Example: Wearing dresses or suits for formal occasions.
• Non-Traditional Expression:
o Androgyny: Combining both masculine and feminine traits.
o Gender Non-Conforming: A masculine woman or feminine man
(non traditional gender representation).
o Example: Cross-dressing and drag performances as intentional
rejections of traditional gender norms.

5. Impact of Gender Expression:


• Social Perception and Misunderstanding:
o People often confuse gender identity and sexual orientation with
gender expression.
– Example: A female identified as straight but love wearing tailored suits and sporting a
shaved haircut as they find it comfortable and empowering
Ness Model
• Cultural and Individual Variability:
o Perceptions of masculinity and femininity evolve over time and
differ across cultures.

6. Goal of the –Ness Model:


• Normalize individuality in gender identity and expression.
• Eliminate assumptions and policing of gender roles by separating
biological sex, gender identity, gender expression, and attraction.
• Encourage personal expression free from societal constraints.

19
7. Biological Sex:
• Definition: Refers to chromosomal, chemical, and anatomical traits
associated with males and females.
o Typical Male Traits: Penis, testes, XY chromosomes,
testosterone, facial hair, deep voice.
o Typical Female Traits: Ovaries, vulva, XX chromosomes,
estrogen, breasts, high-pitched voice.
• Binary Categories:
o Society pressures individuals to fit into rigid male/female
Ness Model binaries, often assigned at birth.

• Intersex Individuals:
o Born with physical traits that do not fit traditional male or
female definitions.
o In intersex individuals might have a combination of both
ovarian and testicular tissue (e.g ovotestes)
o Some intersex traits may only appear at puberty or later in
life.
o Prevalence: 1 in every 100 births involves intersex traits.

20
8. The Complexity of Biological Sex:

• Biological sex is influenced by physical traits like genitalia, hormones,


and chromosomes, but meaning is socially constructed.

• Example: Sam Killermann identifies his male traits (e.g., beard, testes)
and female traits (e.g., high-pitched voice, wide hips).

9. Gender Misalignment and Transition:

•When assigned sex and gender identity do not align, it can cause confusion
and discomfort.

•Transsexual Individuals:
o May undergo hormone therapy or surgery to align their physical
body with their gender identity.
o Example: Laverne Cox, the first openly transgender person nominated
for an Emmy Award, advocating for transgender rights and visibility
Ness Model in media.
o Jenna Takalova, transgender woman who successfully fought to
partcipate in the Miss Universe competition

21
10. Attraction in the –Ness Model:
• Sexual and Romantic Attraction:
o Defined as subconscious interpretations of
hormonal influences and socialization.
o Attraction is distinct from gender identity or
biological sex.
o Example: Someone may experience romantic
attraction toward women and sexual attraction
toward men.
•Spectra of Attraction:
o Ranges from "nobody" to attraction toward
"women/femininity" and "men/masculinity."
o Example: An individual can experience attraction to both or
neither genders.

11. The –Ness Model’s Purpose:


Ness Model •Challenges traditional binary categories of male/female and
masculine/feminine.
•Demonstrates that:
o Biological sex does not determine gender.
o Gender identity, gender expression, and attraction are
independent but interrelated.
o Example: A cisgender man may enjoy traditionally feminine
traits like romantic comedies without compromising his
gender identity.

Key Takeaways:
•Biological sex and gender are more complex than binary
categories.
•Understanding and accepting diversity in sex, gender, and attraction
can promote inclusivity and challenge rigid societal norms.

22

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