Question 1

What is the belief that the lived experiences of women and men differ as a result of biological differences?

Accepted Answer

Essentialism is the belief that the differences in the experiences of men and women are due to innate biological differences rather than social and cultural factors.

Question 2

Doctors and parents are quick to seek a surgical "fix" for babies who are born intersex because

Accepted Answer

In Western society, there is a widespread belief in the binary gender system, and the presence of intersex bodies challenges this belief. This can create discomfort and anxiety for doctors and parents. As a result, surgery is often seen as a way to "normalize" intersex babies and make them fit into the binary gender system. However, this surgical intervention can lead to negative physical, psychological, and emotional consequences for the intersex individual later in life.

Question 3

In The Mismeasure of Women, social psychologist Carol Tavris argues that there is nothing "universal and nonvarying . . . in the natures of men and women." If you agree with her, you would have to reject the concept of

Accepted Answer

Essentialism is the belief that there are inherent, unchanging characteristics that define a particular group or category, such as gender. If one rejects the idea of a fixed nature for men and women, then essentialism would not be a valid concept. The other choices (B, C, and D) are not necessarily incompatible with the idea that gender is not universal and nonvarying.

Question 4

In 2009, South African track star Caster Semenya broke the world record in the 800-meter race. Subsequently, she was asked to prove to the world that she was a woman. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) subjected her to a complex series of tests that included physical and medical examinations. The controversy over Semenya's gender raises which of the following issues?

Accepted Answer

The controversy over Semenya's gender raises the issue that the IAAF's response assumes an essentialist idea of gender, which suggests that gender is based on biology and therefore fixed and unchangeable. This approach fails to acknowledge the complexities of gender identity and can perpetuate gender inequalities in sports. The fact that Semenya was subjected to invasive medical and physical examinations highlights the problematic nature of essentialist beliefs about gender.

Question 5

Most sociologists argue that gender is a social construction, and they acknowledge the possibility that binary male-female categories are not the only way of classifying individuals. This perspective is called

Accepted Answer

The term "social construction" suggests that gender is not determined solely by biology but is rather shaped by social factors such as culture, norms, and values. The constructionist perspective acknowledges that gender categories may vary across cultures and time periods and that there may be more than two categories of gender. Essentialism, on the other hand, suggests that gender is determined by biological factors and is based on the idea that there are immutable male and female characteristics. The terms "macro perspective" and "biological determinism" are not directly related to the idea of gender as a social construct.

Question 6

A man is romantically interested in other people, though he has no sexual attraction of any kind and he has never felt an interest in or desire for sex. How would this man MOST likely identify?

Accepted Answer

This man would most likely identify as asexual, as he does not feel any sexual attraction or desire. Being romantically interested in others but not sexually attracted is a common experience for asexual individuals. The other options (homosexual, bisexual, and gender nonconforming) all relate to gender identity and/or sexual attraction, which are not relevant to this man's experience.

Question 7

For most sociologists, what is the difference between sex and gender?

Accepted Answer

For most sociologists, sex refers to the biological differences between males and females, while gender refers to the social expectations, behaviors, and roles associated with being male or female. In other words, sex is a biological concept, while gender is a social construct. Hormones can influence both sex and gender, but they are not the determining factors. Primary and secondary sex characteristics are also part of the biological differences between males and females, but they do not define gender.

Question 8

In April 2015, Olympic gold medalist and former "World's Greatest Athlete" Caitlyn Jenner announced that "for all intents and purposes, I am a woman." Jenner discussed transitioning with Diane Sawyer in a special two-hour edition of the ABC News show 20/20. In the interview, Jenner stated, "As of now, I have all the male parts, but I still identify as female." What does this tell you about gender identity?

Accepted Answer

Caitlyn Jenner's statement indicates that for many people, gender identity is not solely based on primary sex characteristics, but rather encompasses a complex mix of psychological, social, and cultural factors.

Question 9

A person's self-conception of being male or female based on their association with masculine or feminine gender roles can be defined as

Accepted Answer

Gender identity refers to a person's internal sense of their own gender, whether it aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth or not. This sense of identity can be influenced by societal expectations and gender roles, but ultimately it is a deeply personal and subjective experience. Sexual orientation refers to a person's sexual and romantic attraction to others, while transgender refers to a person whose gender identity does not fully align with their assigned sex at birth. Sexual attitude refers to an individual's overall beliefs and values related to sexuality.

Question 10

The textbook's examples of "third genders" like "two-spirit" people and hijras demonstrate that

Accepted Answer

The examples of "third genders" like "two-spirit" people and hijras in the textbook demonstrate that sex and gender in some non-Western cultures defy the binary classification of male and female.

Question 11

The Intersex Society of North America recommends that "surgeries done to make the genitals look 'more normal' should not be performed until a child is mature enough to make an informed decision for herself or himself." Why is this advice necessary, given that doctors would usually try to involve a patient in their treatment?

Accepted Answer

The advice is necessary because of societal pressure to conform to binary gender norms, which can lead doctors to perform unnecessary and damaging surgeries on intersex infants without their consent. This pressure is so strong that surgeries are often performed before the child is old enough to make an informed decision, as stated in the recommendation.

Question 12

An example of a primary sex characteristic is

Accepted Answer

Primary sex characteristics are those directly related to reproductive organs, which include the testes and penis in males and the ovaries and uterus in females. The other options listed (facial hair, body hair, and bone structure) are examples of secondary sex characteristics, which are indirectly related to reproduction and develop during puberty.

Question 13

American anthropologist Margaret Mead spent much of her career documenting the ways in which other cultures had gender roles that differed, sometimes radically, from those of twentieth-century America. Why does this matter?

Accepted Answer

Margaret Mead's work demonstrates that norms related to gender are culturally constructed and not universal. By documenting the variety of ways in which gender roles are organized in different societies, Mead challenged assumptions about gender that were prevalent in her own culture at the time. Therefore, the correct option is B, as it reflects the importance of acknowledging the diversity of meanings attached to masculinity and femininity across cultures.

Question 14

Which term is used to describe a person whose chromosomes or sex characteristics are neither exclusively male nor exclusively female?

Accepted Answer

Intersex is the term used to describe a person whose chromosomes or sex characteristics are neither exclusively male nor exclusively female. In some cases, intersex is also referred to as disorders of sex development (DSD) or differences of sex development (DSD).

Question 15

In the 1940s and 1950s, Alfred Kinsey surveyed Americans to find out about their sexual behavior. His findings were important because they

Accepted Answer

Kinsey's findings revealed that human sexuality was more complex than previously thought, and that people could fall on a spectrum of sexual orientation rather than being exclusively heterosexual or homosexual. This challenged the belief of heteronormativity and helped pave the way for the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

Question 16

What percentage of babies are born intersex?

Accepted Answer

1.7 percent of babies are born with intersex traits, according to studies. This means they may have physical sex characteristics that do not fit typical definitions of male or female.

Question 17

Every presidential candidate nominated by a major political party in the United States has been, at least publicly,

Accepted Answer

Historically, all major party presidential candidates in the U.S. have been publicly cisgender, meaning their gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth.

Question 18

Some people believe that women are better suited to be homemakers because they are naturally more caring and emotional than men. What perspective is expressed in this statement?

Accepted Answer

The statement is based on the belief that women have innate qualities that make them more suited for homemaking, which is a key premise of essentialism.

Question 19

A transgender woman, a person who does not identify as male or female, and a person who usually identifies man who sometimes identifies as a woman are all

Accepted Answer

These individuals are all gender nonconforming in some way. The transgender woman identifies as a gender different from the one they were assigned at birth, the person who does not identify as male or female identifies outside of the traditional gender binary, and the person who usually identifies as a man but sometimes as a woman is also not conforming to traditional gender roles and expectations.

Question 20

An example of a secondary sex characteristic is

Accepted Answer

Secondary sex characteristics are physical features that differentiate males and females but are not directly related to reproduction. Body hair is an example of a secondary sex characteristic, as its growth pattern and density differs between males and females. Chromosomes and reproductive organs are considered primary sex characteristics, while hormones play a role in both primary and secondary sex characteristics.

Quiz 9: Constructing Gender and Sexuality