7: Sex and Gender
- Page ID
- 308818
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 7.1: What Is The Difference Between Sex and Gender?
- This page explores the distinction between sex, defined as biological differences, and gender, a cultural construct. It emphasizes that biological disparities are minimal, with men and women sharing more similarities. The text also critiques the historical oppression of women and challenges the flawed belief that women are inferior to men, supporting its arguments with biological evidence.
- 7.2: Debunking Myths about Women
- This page explores the evolution of historical perceptions of women, particularly in relation to their reproductive roles. It contrasts outdated views that deemed menstruation as a disease and women as inferior with contemporary advocacy for gender equality. Findings from a 1898 health guide reveal past misconceptions about female biology. The author argues for equal recognition of women's contributions and stresses the importance of inclusivity in knowledge development for societal progress.
- 7.3: Gender Roles as a Social Force
- This page examines the historical oppression of women through religion, tradition, and economic factors, noting how these elements have perpetuated gender inequality, violence, and limited rights. It emphasizes the negative impact of cultural beliefs that define women by their reproductive roles and argues for societal changes and governmental support to enhance women's well-being.
- 7.4: Rape
- This page emphasizes that rape is primarily an act of violence driven by power and anger, predominantly committed by men. The U.S. is noted as one of the most dangerous countries for women regarding rape, with alarming statistics compared to other nations. Historical patterns reflect persistent sexual abuse of vulnerable groups.
- 7.5: Opportunities.
- This page addresses the ongoing wage gap between men and women, noting women earn significantly less despite equivalent qualifications, with statistics showing they earned 77 cents per dollar in 2008. It discusses global challenges in education access and male participation in higher education while highlighting progress in women's representation in high-paying fields.
- 7.6: Research on Gender
- This page examines feminist anthropologist Margaret Mead's groundbreaking research on gender roles across cultures, asserting that culture, not biology, dictates these roles. It summarizes her key work, "Sex and Temperament in Three Primitive Societies," critiques misogyny, and stresses the importance of language in shaping societal views on women.
- 7.7: What about Men?
- This page discusses the Men's Movement, which has gained momentum in the last two decades to enhance men's quality of life and advocate for family rights. It addresses issues such as mental health and fathers' rights, rooted in emotional isolation from traditional roles since the Industrial Revolution.

