Question 1

Which of the following statements accurately describes the distinction many social scientists make between sex and gender?

Accepted Answer

Sex refers to the biological characteristics of male and female, such as genitalia and hormones, whereas gender refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviors, and identities associated with masculinity and femininity. In other words, sex is determined by biology and genetics, while gender is shaped by cultural norms and expectations. It is important to differentiate between the two to better understand how social forces impact individuals' experiences and identities.

Question 2

In chapter 9, we learn about Helen Mather, an individual with male chromosomes who failed to develop the genitalia of either sex. What does her example teach us about sex and gender?

Accepted Answer

Helen Mather's example teaches us that socialization and cultural factors play an important role in gender identities. Despite having male chromosomes, Mather was raised as a girl and identified as female. This shows that gender identity is not solely determined by biological sex, but also by social and cultural factors. The fact that Mather was able to live as a woman without undergoing sex reassignment surgery also challenges the idea that surgery is the only solution to unclear gender identity. However, there is no evidence to suggest that Mather was unaccepted or ostracized from popular society, so option C is incorrect. Option B is partially correct, but it oversimplifies the complexity of gender identity and the potential solutions for those who are ambiguously sexed.

Question 3

George Murdock's alleged finding that there are biological differences between men and women which result in a similar division of tasks around the world is an example of what kind of argument?

Accepted Answer

George Murdock's alleged finding that there are biological differences between men and women which result in a similar division of tasks around the world is an example of biological determinism, which suggests that biology is the primary determinant of human behavior and social organization. Structuralism, fundamentalism, and collectivism do not directly relate to this argument.

Question 4

Which of the following statements does not pose a challenge to Murdock's claim?

Accepted Answer

Murdock's claim is about the universality of the gendered division of labor, suggesting it is a common feature across societies. Statements A, B, C, and D all present challenges to this claim by highlighting variations, historical changes, the influence of social scientists' biases, and the impact of social movements on gender stereotypes. Therefore, none of the provided statements fails to challenge Murdock's claim, making E the correct choice.

Question 5

Which of the following statements would a contemporary sociologist be likely to support?

Accepted Answer

Contemporary sociologists generally agree that gender is a social construct rather than a purely biological one. This means that from the moment of birth, society begins the process of gendering, encouraging individuals to adopt identities and roles deemed appropriate for their sex. This process is seen as a product of socialization rather than an inevitable outcome of biological differences, supporting the idea that gender is constructed through social interactions and cultural norms.

Question 6

What negative side effects have occurred as a result of contemporary society's concern for developing the body and its appearances?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What negative side effects have occurred as...

Question 7

What does it mean to say that "adults encounter a gendered work world"?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What does it mean to say that...

Question 8

Vertical Segregation in the work force means:

Accepted Answer

Vertical segregation refers to the concentration of certain groups, such as women or minorities, in lower-paying or less prestigious positions within an occupation. This often results in women being underrepresented at higher levels of the occupational hierarchy, while overrepresented in lower-paying positions. Choice B also relates to horizontal segregation, which refers to the separation of men and women into different occupational categories. Choice C is not related to vertical segregation.

Question 9

Horizontal Segregation in the work force means:

Accepted Answer

Horizontal segregation refers to the concentration of women and men in different types of jobs or occupations. This often leads to women being concentrated in lower-paying and lower-status jobs, while men are more likely to hold higher-paying and higher-status jobs. This is different from vertical segregation, which refers to the concentration of men in higher positions within the same occupation or industry. Option A is incorrect as it is actually vertical segregation. Option C is also incorrect as it refers to weight discrimination, which is not related to horizontal segregation.

Question 10

Which of the following examples would be evidence that so-called 'women's work' and 'men's work' are not natural categories, but instead are socially constructed?

Accepted Answer

Option A shows that the categorization of certain jobs as 'men's work' or 'women's work' varies across different cultures, challenging the idea that it is a natural categorization. Option C shows that women are breaking into traditionally 'male-dominated' fields such as corporate leadership, indicating that societal attitudes towards gender roles are shifting. Option B does not provide enough information to distinguish between social construction and natural categorization, as it is possible that nursing is biologically preferred by women. However, since option D includes both options A and C, which both support the idea of social construction, it is the best choice. Option E is incorrect because there is evidence indicating that gendered job categorization is not universal or biologically determined.

Question 11

The 'reserve army of labor' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The 'reserve army of labor' refers to a group of potential workers who are not currently employed but are available for work and willing to work. Employers can draw on this pool during times of labor shortage, but they may reduce the workers to part-time or dismiss them once the shortage is over. This term is often used in Marxist political economy to describe the role of unemployed workers in capitalist economies.

Question 12

Which of the following is not an example of problems faced when estimating gender abuse?

Accepted Answer

All options A through D describe real challenges in estimating the prevalence or impact of gender abuse, indicating that none of these options is an exception to the types of problems faced.

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of how gender differences are expressed on a day to day basis?

Accepted Answer

All of the options listed show examples of how gender differences are expressed on a day to day basis. Gendered nouns in language, expectations for behavior on dates, media representations of gender, and differing beauty and dieting norms are all common examples of gendered daily experiences.

Question 14

Foucault argued that bodies are a site for power relationships. Some feminists have used this as support for women's resistance to oppressive beauty regimes. Why have some other feminists been more cautious?

Accepted Answer

Some feminists are cautious about using Foucault's argument to support women's resistance to oppressive beauty regimes because they do not want to view women who engage in these practices as 'cultural dopes' who are completely controlled by societal norms and beliefs. They believe in acknowledging women's agency and choice when it comes to their appearance and beauty practices, while still recognizing the impact of cultural norms and expectations on these choices.

Question 15

When chapter 9 discusses a 'cultural dopes' argument, it is referring to:

Accepted Answer

The 'cultural dopes' argument, as discussed in chapter 9, refers to the misconception that some individuals interact with social texts in a knowledgeable and meaningful way, while others uncritically accept everything they 'read.' This concept relates to the idea of cultural capital and how individuals with more knowledge and education have an advantage in understanding and interpreting cultural artifacts. Therefore, option A is the best choice.

Question 16

The first wave of feminists' major achievement was:

Accepted Answer

The first wave of feminists' major achievement was gaining the right to vote for women through the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920. While the other options could be seen as significant in their own right, they were not the primary achievement of the first wave of feminism.

Question 17

The second wave of feminists was primarily concerned with:

Accepted Answer

The second wave of feminists focused on multiple issues, including challenging traditional gender roles, fighting for women's access to male-dominated professions, advocating for equal pay, and addressing issues of lifestyle and personal identity. Therefore, option E, which includes all the options, is the most suitable answer.

Question 18

"Gender equality will only be achieved by guaranteeing and protecting women's political rights." Which of the following 'genre' of feminists might make this argument?

Accepted Answer

Liberal feminists prioritize political and legal equality for women, often advocating for reforms within existing systems rather than radical restructuring of society. This statement reflects a liberal feminist perspective on gender equality.

Question 19

"The exploitation of women is built into the labor market through low-paying jobs and unpaid domestic labor. Gender inequality will only be reached by improving the economy" Which of the following 'genre' of feminists might make this argument?

Accepted Answer

This argument aligns with socialist feminism, which challenges capitalism and the link between gender inequality and economic inequality. This perspective acknowledges both paid and unpaid labor as important factors in the exploitation of women.

Question 20

"Patriarchy is a system of oppression that goes beyond discrimination. Gender equality will only be achieved by changing institutions that currently legitimize patriarchy." Which of the following 'genre' of feminists might make this argument?

Accepted Answer

Radical feminists view patriarchy as a fundamental system of oppression that operates on all levels of society, and believe that gender equality can only be achieved by completely overthrowing these patriarchal structures. Thus, they would argue that changing institutions that legitimize patriarchy is crucial to achieving gender equality.

Quiz 9: Gender