Question 1

Chapter 9 makes it clear that there is a variety of ways to understand the origins of sexual orientation. Contrast how a queer theorist would understand sexual orientation with the alternate explanations embraced by many mainstream gay and lesbian leaders.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Chapter 9 makes it clear that there...

Question 2

Differences in the educational experiences of boys and girls appear early in, and persist throughout, the educational system. Explain how these differences result in gender inequality.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Differences in the educational experiences of boys...

Question 3

A sociological perspective on homophobia would shift the burden of addressing its harmful effects from bisexuals, lesbians, gays, and other gender and sexual minorities to those who react negatively to them.

Accepted Answer

A sociological perspective on homophobia would analyze the social factors and systems that contribute to the negative reactions toward gender and sexual minorities, and therefore shift the responsibility of addressing and challenging homophobia to those who hold homophobic beliefs and behaviors. This perspective recognizes that homophobia is a societal issue that affects individuals and communities, and thus should be addressed through collective action and social change.

Question 4

While the use of "man" or "mankind" to refer to all humans is fairly easily identifiable as evidence of a default preference toward men in our language, some commonly used words are more tricky. In what ways do feminine nicknames like "cupcake" or "baby-doll," or even derogatory nicknames like "heifer" or "cow," perpetuate gender stereotypes and inequality?

Accepted Answer

The answer of While the use of "man" or "mankind"...

Question 5

Chapter 9 tells you that young men ages fifteen to twenty-four are four to five times likelier than young women to die from car accidents, homicides, and drownings. Explain this statistic in terms of gender socialization.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Chapter 9 tells you that young men...

Question 6

Why were third-wave feminists critical of the first and second waves? How was the third wave different from the previous two waves?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why were third-wave feminists critical of the...

Question 7

Sex is not the same thing as gender. Explain the difference between the two.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Sex is not the same thing as...

Question 8

A signpost of the second wave of the feminist movement in the United States was Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique. What concept does the phrase "feminine mystique" refer to?

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The answer of A signpost of the second wave of...

Question 9

The male liberation movement is concerned with the stress inherent in being a man, including the pressure to succeed and the inability or reluctance to express oneself. Why did this movement break into two distinct movements, and what distinguished each movement from the other?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The male liberation movement is concerned with...

Question 10

The hijras of India are recognized by their society as a third gender, neither male nor female but something else entirely.

Accepted Answer

The statement is true. The hijras of India are regarded as a third gender and are recognized by their society as such. This recognition, however, does not necessarily mean that they are fully accepted or treated equally.

Question 11

Interactionists argue that people learn their gender identities from everyday interactions and that the family is the primary source for gender socialization. Explain some of the ways parents and siblings can teach gender.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Interactionists argue that people learn their gender...

Question 12

How do functionalists and conflict theorists differ in how they approach and understand gender inequality?

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The answer of How do functionalists and conflict theorists differ...

Question 13

The reason for the underlying cause of homosexuality-whether genetic, hormonal, or social-remains unresolved, and the debate continues. Explain why many in the gay rights movement have embraced the genetic explanation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The reason for the underlying cause of...

Question 14

Many children are cared for by their mother when they have to stay home from school with an illness. Employers in the United States are overwhelmingly sympathetic to this fact of life for working mothers.

Accepted Answer

While many employers may be understanding, there is no overarching policy or law in the United States that guarantees sympathy or support for working mothers in all cases, and experiences can vary widely depending on the employer and the specific situation.

Question 15

The National Organization for Men Against Sexism (NOMAS) is the oldest pro-feminist men's group in the United States and has fought for gender equality, for gay rights, against racism, and for enhancing men's lives. The Promise Keepers were founded in 1990 because of worries that traditional gender roles were eroding and advocates for a return to the days when the male was the head of the household. The organization firmly opposes feminism and gay rights. However, both NOMAS and the Promise Keepers worry about men. The Promise Keepers suggest that men communicate with their wives during prayer:
During prayer, it's often easier to open up and share personally. It can be extremely difficult, especially for a man, to reveal something personal directly to our wife. I mean, she's sitting there staring at you! There's nowhere to hide! Will she laugh? Worse yet, will she ask a million questions and want you to probe even deeper?
NOMAS argues that:
By overcoming their traditional denial of most of their feelings, men can have more meaningful relationships, richer and fuller emotional lives and even improved physical health. Men can learn to be good listeners, to be gentle, to be nurturing and sensitive to other people's needs and feelings.
Although they clearly have many differences, describe the ways in which these two groups are similar.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The National Organization for Men Against Sexism...

Question 16

According to the arrest rate data listed in Chapter 9, one of the two categories in which females outnumber males as offenders is the juvenile offense of running away from home. How does gender socialization and stereotyping influence this phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the arrest rate data listed...

Question 17

Pro-feminist men's groups believe that men would be happier if society were less sexist.

Accepted Answer

Pro-feminist men's groups advocate for gender equality and believe that men would benefit from a less sexist society as it would create a more equal and just world for all genders.

Quiz 9: Constructing Gender and Sexuality