Question 1

Describe the gender role socialization pattern among African Americans.

Accepted Answer

Gender role socialization among African Americans is influenced by a combination of cultural, historical, and societal factors. Traditionally, African American gender roles have been shaped by the legacy of slavery, segregation, and discrimination, which have had a significant impact on the family structure and dynamics within the community.

Historically, African American men and women have been socialized to fulfill specific gender roles within the family and society. Men have often been expected to be the primary providers and protectors of the family, while women have been socialized to be caretakers and nurturers. These traditional gender roles have been reinforced by societal expectations and cultural norms within the African American community.

However, it is important to note that gender role socialization among African Americans is not monolithic and has evolved over time. The civil rights movement, feminist movements, and other social and political changes have contributed to shifts in gender roles and expectations within the African American community. Today, there is greater recognition of the diversity of gender identities and expressions within the African American community, and efforts to challenge traditional gender norms and stereotypes.

Overall, the gender role socialization pattern among African Americans is complex and multifaceted, shaped by a combination of historical, cultural, and societal influences. While traditional gender roles continue to play a role in shaping expectations and behaviors, there is also a growing recognition of the need for greater gender equality and inclusivity within the African American community.

Question 2

Compare and contrast any two theories of gender role socialization. Which theory do you think has a better explanation? Why?

Accepted Answer

Two prominent theories of gender role socialization are the social learning theory and the cognitive development theory.

The social learning theory, proposed by Albert Bandura, suggests that individuals learn gender roles through observation, imitation, and reinforcement. According to this theory, children observe the behavior of others, particularly their parents and peers, and imitate these behaviors. They are then rewarded or punished based on their adherence to gender norms, which reinforces their gender role socialization.

On the other hand, the cognitive development theory, proposed by Jean Piaget, emphasizes the role of cognitive development in shaping gender roles. Piaget argued that children actively construct their understanding of gender through their interactions with the environment. As they develop cognitively, they categorize themselves and others into gender groups and internalize societal expectations for their gender.

Both theories offer valuable insights into the process of gender role socialization. However, the cognitive development theory provides a more comprehensive explanation. It acknowledges the active role of children in shaping their own understanding of gender, rather than just passively imitating others. Additionally, it accounts for the influence of societal expectations and norms on children's cognitive development.

In conclusion, while both theories contribute to our understanding of gender role socialization, the cognitive development theory offers a more comprehensive and nuanced explanation. It recognizes the active role of children in shaping their gender identity and the influence of societal expectations on their cognitive development. Therefore, the cognitive development theory is a better explanation for gender role socialization.

Question 3

Social learning theory asserts that children are more active than passive participants in gender socialization.

Accepted Answer

False

Question 4

Describe the similarities and differences between fathers and mothers in parenting practices.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the similarities and differences between fathers...

Question 5

Social cognitive theory draws from social learning theory, cognitive development theory and gender schema theory.

Accepted Answer

Social cognitive theory indeed incorporates elements from social learning theory, cognitive development theory, and gender schema theory.

Question 6

Gender typing of children begins when they enter kindergarten.

Accepted Answer

Gender typing of children actually begins much earlier, even before the age of two, through socialization and exposure to gender roles and expectations in their family and environment. However, it does continue and become more pronounced in kindergarten and beyond as children are exposed to more diverse social situations and come to better understand societal norms and beliefs about gender.

Question 7

Describe the benefits and drawbacks for boys and girls engaging in gender-stereotyped play.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the benefits and drawbacks for boys...

Question 8

Discuss the power of television as an agent of socialization.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the power of television as an...

Question 9

The preference for sons in Asian cultures is a thing of the past.

Accepted Answer

While progress has been made towards gender equality in many Asian countries, the preference for sons still persists in some cultures. This can have negative consequences for girls and women, including sex-selective abortions and discrimination in education and employment opportunities.

Question 10

Discuss reasons for and effects of son preference in China and South Asia.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss reasons for and effects of son...

Question 11

The process by which we learn the cultural expectations of femininity and masculinity is referred to as

Accepted Answer

Gender socialization is the process in which an individual learns and internalizes the norms, values, and expectations associated with their assigned gender. This includes behaviors, attitudes, and roles that are considered appropriate or inappropriate for their gender. Gender socialization occurs through various agents of socialization, such as family, media, peers, and schools. Gender identity refers to an individual’s internal sense of their own gender, while sexual orientation refers to an individual’s sexual attraction and preferences. Therefore, options A, C, and D are incorrect.

Question 12

By pre-school, children have a firm commitment to own-gender toys.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that by pre-school, children typically have a strong preference for playing with toys that are typically associated with their gender.

Question 13

Which cultural factors impact gender socialization?

Accepted Answer

Culture, which includes factors such as race, social class, and values, plays a critical role in shaping gender socialization. Each of these cultural factors can influence how individuals are taught to behave and express their gender, as well as the norms and expectations placed on them by society. For example, different racial and ethnic groups may have different attitudes towards masculinity and femininity, while social class may impact access to education or employment opportunities that inform gender roles. Values such as religion or political ideology may also impact gender norms and expectations, as well as attitudes towards non-binary or gender non-conforming identities. Therefore, all of these cultural factors must be considered when examining gender socialization in different contexts.

Question 14

When Tom and Jack saw 5 year-old Joey playing house with his sisters they laughed at him and called him names. Joey promptly quit playing with his sisters. In this scenario, what is an example of a measure of social control?

Accepted Answer

Ridicule by Tom and Jack represents a form of social control, as it is a behavior that discourages certain actions or behaviors (in this case, playing house with sisters). The other options (Joey's age, Joey quitting playing with his sisters, and Joey's sisters) are not examples of social control measures.

Question 15

Working-class parents are more likely to emphasize conformity in socializing their children. This can lead to

Accepted Answer

Working-class parents tend to emphasize conformity in their children, which can lead to gender role rigidity. This means that their children may feel pressured to conform to traditional gender roles and expectations, limiting their ability to express themselves and explore their interests outside of societal norms.

Question 16

Female gender roles tend to be more deferential and subordinate among

Accepted Answer

Latino subcultures often emphasize traditional gender roles, with women typically expected to be more deferential and subordinate compared to men. This is part of the cultural concept known as "machismo," which values male dominance and female submissiveness within the family and society.

Question 17

Which theory of socialization asserts that once children learn gender identity, they make choices based on that identity?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive development theory suggests that once children learn their gender identity, they actively make choices and behave in ways that align with that identity.

Question 18

________ is developed when children associate the label of boy or girl with the rewards that come with the appropriate behavior and then act out gender roles according to that perception.

Accepted Answer

The answer of ________ is developed when children associate the...

Question 19

David Lynn asserts that boys have greater difficulty in the process of gender socialization because

Accepted Answer

David Lynn asserts that boys have greater difficulty in the process of gender socialization because fathers are not as available as mothers in early childhood, fathers do not exhibit as much intimacy as mothers do, and boys are often told what they should not do, rather than what they should do. Therefore, all of the options A, B and C are correct, making D the best answer.

Question 20

From a social learning perspective, socialization into gender roles is based on

Accepted Answer

From a social learning perspective, socialization into gender roles involves rewards and punishments for gender-specific behaviors (A), modeling and imitation of gender-specific behaviors observed in others (B), and differential reinforcement where behaviors are encouraged or discouraged based on gender norms (C), thus making all of the options correct.

Quiz 3: Gender Development the Socialization Process