Question 1

From "Doing Gender" by Candace West and Don H. Zimmerman
The authors attempt to reconceptualize gender as a routine and recurring phenomenon grounded in social practices of everyday life. Their perspective involves analyzing gender as a complex of socially guided perceptual, interactional, and micropolitical activities that cast pursuits as manifestations of masculine and feminine "natures."
-Discuss the "sex differences" and "sex roles" approaches to gender. Discuss their limitations as formulations.

Accepted Answer

The "sex differences" approach to gender focuses on biological and physiological distinctions between males and females, emphasizing the inherent and immutable nature of these differences. This perspective often leads to the essentialization of gender, attributing certain traits and behaviors to individuals based solely on their biological sex. On the other hand, the "sex roles" approach to gender emphasizes the social and cultural expectations and norms associated with being male or female. This approach suggests that individuals learn and internalize specific roles and behaviors based on their gender, and that these roles are reinforced and perpetuated by society.

Both the "sex differences" and "sex roles" approaches have limitations as formulations for understanding gender. The "sex differences" approach overlooks the influence of social and cultural factors on gender, and it can lead to the reinforcement of gender stereotypes and inequality. It also fails to account for the diversity and complexity of gender identities beyond the binary understanding of male and female. On the other hand, the "sex roles" approach can perpetuate the idea that certain behaviors and traits are inherently linked to being male or female, reinforcing traditional gender norms and expectations. It also fails to fully capture the fluidity and variability of gender expression and identity.

In contrast, West and Zimmerman's reconceptualization of gender as a routine and recurring phenomenon grounded in social practices of everyday life offers a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of gender. Their perspective acknowledges the influence of both social and biological factors on gender, and it highlights the ways in which gender is performed and constructed through everyday interactions and activities. This approach allows for a more dynamic and inclusive understanding of gender, one that recognizes the diversity of gender experiences and identities.

Question 2

From "Doing Gender" by Candace West and Don H. Zimmerman
The authors attempt to reconceptualize gender as a routine and recurring phenomenon grounded in social practices of everyday life. Their perspective involves analyzing gender as a complex of socially guided perceptual, interactional, and micropolitical activities that cast pursuits as manifestations of masculine and feminine "natures."
-Discuss the authors' "social doings" approach to gender.

Accepted Answer

The authors, Candace West and Don H. Zimmerman, propose a "social doings" approach to gender in their book "Doing Gender." This approach seeks to reconceptualize gender as a routine and recurring phenomenon that is grounded in the social practices of everyday life. They argue that gender is not simply a fixed identity or biological trait, but rather a complex set of socially guided activities and behaviors.

According to West and Zimmerman, gender is not just something that individuals have, but something that they do. This means that gender is actively constructed and performed through everyday interactions and behaviors. They emphasize that gender is not just about individual identity, but about the ways in which individuals engage in social activities and interactions that are perceived as masculine or feminine.

The "social doings" approach to gender involves analyzing the ways in which individuals engage in socially guided perceptual, interactional, and micropolitical activities that contribute to the construction and performance of gender. This includes examining how individuals present themselves, interact with others, and navigate power dynamics in ways that are perceived as gendered.

Overall, West and Zimmerman's "social doings" approach to gender challenges traditional understandings of gender as a fixed and innate characteristic, and instead highlights the ways in which gender is actively constructed and performed through social practices and interactions.

Question 3

From "Doing Gender" by Candace West and Don H. Zimmerman
The authors attempt to reconceptualize gender as a routine and recurring phenomenon grounded in social practices of everyday life. Their perspective involves analyzing gender as a complex of socially guided perceptual, interactional, and micropolitical activities that cast pursuits as manifestations of masculine and feminine "natures."
-Discuss how the authors incorporate "accountability" into the analysis of gender.

Accepted Answer

The authors incorporate "accountability" into the analysis of gender by emphasizing the ways in which individuals are held accountable for their gender performances in everyday interactions. They argue that gender is not simply an internal identity or innate characteristic, but rather a set of behaviors and actions that are constantly monitored and evaluated by others. This accountability is enforced through social norms, expectations, and sanctions, which shape and regulate how individuals are expected to perform their gender. By focusing on accountability, the authors highlight the social and relational nature of gender, and the ways in which individuals are held responsible for conforming to or challenging gender norms in their daily lives. This perspective allows for a more nuanced understanding of how gender is constructed and maintained through social practices and interactions.

Question 4

From "Doing Gender" by Candace West and Don H. Zimmerman
The authors attempt to reconceptualize gender as a routine and recurring phenomenon grounded in social practices of everyday life. Their perspective involves analyzing gender as a complex of socially guided perceptual, interactional, and micropolitical activities that cast pursuits as manifestations of masculine and feminine "natures."
-The "doing gender" approach encompasses assessing the creation of differences between girls and boys and women and men that are not natural, essential, or biological.

Accepted Answer

The authors argue that gender is a socially constructed phenomenon, and therefore, not natural, essential, or biological. They propose the "doing gender" approach to analyze how gender is actively performed and reinforced through everyday social practices.

Question 5

From "Doing Gender" by Candace West and Don H. Zimmerman
The authors attempt to reconceptualize gender as a routine and recurring phenomenon grounded in social practices of everyday life. Their perspective involves analyzing gender as a complex of socially guided perceptual, interactional, and micropolitical activities that cast pursuits as manifestations of masculine and feminine "natures."
-Which of the following does not constitute a social practice within the authors' formulation?
A) Segregation at work
B) Sports participation
C) Distribution of power
D) Average height and size differences across sex groups.

Accepted Answer

Average height and size differences across sex groups are not social practices, but rather biological differences between sexes. Therefore, they do not fit within the authors' definition of gender as a routine and recurring phenomenon grounded in social practices.

Question 6

From "Doing Gender" by Candace West and Don H. Zimmerman
The authors attempt to reconceptualize gender as a routine and recurring phenomenon grounded in social practices of everyday life. Their perspective involves analyzing gender as a complex of socially guided perceptual, interactional, and micropolitical activities that cast pursuits as manifestations of masculine and feminine "natures."
-According to the authors, what does not constitute an arena that alters the way gender operates in practice?
A) Institutional
B) Cultural
C) Biological
D) None of the above.

Accepted Answer

The authors argue that gender is not solely based on biological differences between males and females, but rather on social practices and interactions. Therefore, biology does not constitute an arena that alters the way gender operates in practice.

Question 7

From Masculinities by R. W. Connell
The author puts forward a theoretically-based "social constructionist" account of gender. This account is predicated on understanding gender relationally and culturally, and is intimately tied into the structure of violence and domination creating "social practices" that define the parameters and substance of gender categories.
-According to Connell, gender is:
A) Relational
B) Cultural
C) Neither A or B
D) Both A and B.

Accepted Answer

The author's account of gender is both relational and cultural. She argues that gender is created through social practices and that it is intimately tied to structures of violence and domination. Gender is not simply a matter of biological sex, but is instead culturally and socially constructed. Connell's focus on the relational and cultural aspects of gender helps to highlight the ways in which gender is not just an individual characteristic, but is instead a complex social phenomenon that shapes how people interact with one another.

Question 8

From Masculinities by R. W. Connell
The author puts forward a theoretically-based "social constructionist" account of gender. This account is predicated on understanding gender relationally and culturally, and is intimately tied into the structure of violence and domination creating "social practices" that define the parameters and substance of gender categories.
-What does Connell mean when he criticizes gender for being too "essentialist"?

Accepted Answer

The answer of From Masculinities by R. W. Connell
The author...

Question 9

From Masculinities by R. W. Connell
The author puts forward a theoretically-based "social constructionist" account of gender. This account is predicated on understanding gender relationally and culturally, and is intimately tied into the structure of violence and domination creating "social practices" that define the parameters and substance of gender categories.
-What does Connell mean when he says that gender is a "structure of social practice"?

Accepted Answer

The answer of From Masculinities by R. W. Connell
The author...

Question 10

From Masculinities by R. W. Connell
The author puts forward a theoretically-based "social constructionist" account of gender. This account is predicated on understanding gender relationally and culturally, and is intimately tied into the structure of violence and domination creating "social practices" that define the parameters and substance of gender categories.
-According to Connell, a "relational" approach to gender encompasses:
A) Hegemony
B) Subordination
C) Complicity
D) All of the above.

Accepted Answer

A relational approach to gender encompasses all three aspects of hegemony, subordination, and complicity. Hegemony refers to the dominance of a particular gender identity or expression over others, which is maintained through social and cultural practices. Subordination refers to the subordinate position of those who do not conform to the dominant gender identity, and the ways in which they are excluded, marginalized, and oppressed. Complicity refers to the ways in which individuals participate in and reproduce these dominant gender norms, even if they are not themselves members of the dominant group. Together, these aspects of gender relations form a complex web of power and hierarchy that define the experiences of individuals across different social contexts.

Question 11

From Masculinities by R. W. Connell
The author puts forward a theoretically-based "social constructionist" account of gender. This account is predicated on understanding gender relationally and culturally, and is intimately tied into the structure of violence and domination creating "social practices" that define the parameters and substance of gender categories.
-How, according to Connell, does gender as a social practice operate as "a product of history and a producer of history"?

Accepted Answer

The answer of From Masculinities by R. W. Connell
The author...

Question 12

From Masculinities by R. W. Connell
The author puts forward a theoretically-based "social constructionist" account of gender. This account is predicated on understanding gender relationally and culturally, and is intimately tied into the structure of violence and domination creating "social practices" that define the parameters and substance of gender categories.
-Gender cannot be understood apart from the dynamics of hegemony in society.

Accepted Answer

The author's account of gender is based on understanding it relationally and culturally, and is tied to the structure of violence and domination, which creates social practices defining gender categories. Therefore, gender cannot be understood apart from the dynamics of hegemony in society.

Question 13

From Masculinities by R. W. Connell
The author puts forward a theoretically-based "social constructionist" account of gender. This account is predicated on understanding gender relationally and culturally, and is intimately tied into the structure of violence and domination creating "social practices" that define the parameters and substance of gender categories.
-How, according to Connell, is gender a product of "crisis tendencies"?

Accepted Answer

The answer of From Masculinities by R. W. Connell
The author...

Question 14

From The Gendered Society by Michael Kimmel
Kimmel bring historic and anthropological findings to bear on cultural/social variation in the dynamics of gender, namely, how it is defined, levels of inequality, the extent of the gendered division of labor, and the determinants of women's status in society. This piece provides support for a cultural/social rather than a biological interpretation of gender as a unit of differentiation in society.
-Discuss evidence presented by Kimmel that there is considerable variation in definitions of gender.

Accepted Answer

The answer of From The Gendered Society by Michael Kimmel
Kimmel...

Question 15

From The Gendered Society by Michael Kimmel
Kimmel bring historic and anthropological findings to bear on cultural/social variation in the dynamics of gender, namely, how it is defined, levels of inequality, the extent of the gendered division of labor, and the determinants of women's status in society. This piece provides support for a cultural/social rather than a biological interpretation of gender as a unit of differentiation in society.
-Discuss evidence by Kimmel of the causes of gender differentiation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of From The Gendered Society by Michael Kimmel
Kimmel...

Question 16

From The Gendered Society by Michael Kimmel
Kimmel bring historic and anthropological findings to bear on cultural/social variation in the dynamics of gender, namely, how it is defined, levels of inequality, the extent of the gendered division of labor, and the determinants of women's status in society. This piece provides support for a cultural/social rather than a biological interpretation of gender as a unit of differentiation in society.
-According to Kimmel, which of the following is alleged to explain gender inequality in the economic division of labor:
A) Rise of feudalism
B) Rise of wage labor
C) Rise of domestic households
D) None of the above.

Accepted Answer

Kimmel argues that the rise of wage labor is a key factor in explaining gender inequality in the economic division of labor. He notes that as men moved into the industrial workforce, they gained economic power and social status, while women were relegated to domestic roles and seen as economically dependent on men. This has contributed to the gender wage gap and other forms of economic inequality between men and women. The rise of feudalism and domestic households are not directly linked to Kimmel's argument about the economic division of labor.

Question 17

From The Gendered Society by Michael Kimmel
Kimmel bring historic and anthropological findings to bear on cultural/social variation in the dynamics of gender, namely, how it is defined, levels of inequality, the extent of the gendered division of labor, and the determinants of women's status in society. This piece provides support for a cultural/social rather than a biological interpretation of gender as a unit of differentiation in society.
-All societies exhibit similar levels of gender inequality and domination.

Accepted Answer

Kimmel argues that although all societies have some degree of gender inequality, the extent and form of this inequality varies widely depending on cultural and social factors. Additionally, some societies have been found to have more gender egalitarianism than others. Therefore, it is not accurate to say that all societies exhibit similar levels of gender inequality and domination.

Question 18

From The Gendered Society by Michael Kimmel
Kimmel bring historic and anthropological findings to bear on cultural/social variation in the dynamics of gender, namely, how it is defined, levels of inequality, the extent of the gendered division of labor, and the determinants of women's status in society. This piece provides support for a cultural/social rather than a biological interpretation of gender as a unit of differentiation in society.
-According to Kimmel, which of the following societal factors is not alleged to increase male domination over women?
A) Larger family groups
B) Larger number of people needed to be hunters and gatherers
C) Women's active role in child rearing
D) The premium put on physical strength and motor skills.

Accepted Answer

The larger number of people needed to be hunters and gatherers is not alleged to increase male domination over women, as it implies a more communal and cooperative effort rather than a hierarchical structure.

Question 19

From The Gendered Society by Michael Kimmel
Kimmel bring historic and anthropological findings to bear on cultural/social variation in the dynamics of gender, namely, how it is defined, levels of inequality, the extent of the gendered division of labor, and the determinants of women's status in society. This piece provides support for a cultural/social rather than a biological interpretation of gender as a unit of differentiation in society.
-Discuss the importance of rape as a determinant of male dominance.

Accepted Answer

The answer of From The Gendered Society by Michael Kimmel
Kimmel...

Question 20

From The Gendered Society by Michael Kimmel
Kimmel bring historic and anthropological findings to bear on cultural/social variation in the dynamics of gender, namely, how it is defined, levels of inequality, the extent of the gendered division of labor, and the determinants of women's status in society. This piece provides support for a cultural/social rather than a biological interpretation of gender as a unit of differentiation in society.
-How, according to Kimmel, does circumcision constitute a ritual that is associated with male domination over women?

Accepted Answer

The answer of From The Gendered Society by Michael Kimmel
Kimmel...

Quiz 3: Status Section B: Gender and Sexuality