5: Gender and Sexuality
- Page ID
- 11709
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)By far, sex and gender have been two of the most socially significant factors in the history of the world and the United States. Sex is one’s biological classification as male or female, which is biologically determined at the moment the sperm fertilizes the egg. Sex can be precisely defined at the genetic level with females having two X chromosomes (XX), while males posses an XY pairing. The female’s eggs contain only an X chromosome, while the male’s sperm contains half X and half Y chromosomes. Therefore, the sperm that fertilizes the egg determines whether a person has XX (female) or XY (male) pairing of chromosomes. The main difference between sexes is the reproductive body parts assigned to each (including their functions and corresponding hormones).
Gender is culturally-based and varies in a thousand subtle ways across the many diverse cultures of the world. Gender has been shaped by social norms, politics, religion, philosophy, language, tradition and other cultural forces for many years. Gender identity is our personal internal sense of our own maleness or femaleness. Every society has a slightly different view of what it means to be male/masculine and female/feminine. Masculine traits are those we associate with being male, such as aggressiveness, directness, independence, objectiveness, and leadership. Feminine traits are being talkative, submissive, nurturing, emotional, and illogical. Androgyny is when a person shares both masculine and feminine traits. They fit their behavior to the situation; so an androgynous person might cry at a wedding or funeral, but can also change the tire on a car.
- 5.1: Sexual Scripts
- This page discusses how sexual scripts, influenced by socialization and culture, define roles in sexual expression and desires. While unique to each individual, these scripts often share common themes. Many people learn about them passively through societal narratives, which can perpetuate problematic gender roles and unhealthy dynamics. Contemporary scripts advocate for mutual ownership, open communication, and the fulfillment of both partners' needs, promoting healthier intimacy.
- 5.2: Genital Development
- This page examines the similarities in male and female sexual anatomy during fetal development, highlighting that both start with identical genital structures and require DNA testing to distinguish sex until around six weeks.
- 5.3: The Importance of Sexuality
- This page highlights the role of sexuality in adulthood and gender roles, noting that it constitutes a small fraction of daily life. The Janus Report indicates the average person engages in sex approximately three times weekly, amounting to about 65 hours yearly. This is minimal compared to other activities such as sleeping or working.
- 5.4: Sexual Anatomy
- This page highlights the importance of understanding basic anatomy for body comprehension and sexual education. It outlines the female reproductive system, detailing the roles of the clitoris, vagina, cervix, uterus, and ovaries. It explains the clitoris's sensitivity, the function of the cervix and uterus in fetal development, and the ovaries' role in ovulation.
- 5.5: The Sexual Response
- This page outlines the sexual response cycle identified by Masters and Johnson, comprising excitement, plateau, and orgasm phases, which differ between genders but follow similar patterns. The excitement phase involves increased blood flow and lubrication, while orgasm features rhythmic contractions and a pleasurable release. Females can have multiple orgasms, whereas males have specific responses like ejaculation and a refractory period before subsequent arousal.
- 5.6: The Sexual Experience
- This page examines male and female sex drives, highlighting physiological similarities but noting that women's desires are greatly influenced by social context. Research indicates men typically pursue sex more and are more visually stimulated, with significant orgasm disparities: 65% of men versus 15% of women report consistent orgasms. The text distinguishes between biological sex and social/cultural gender, emphasizing their potential misalignment.
- 5.7: Sex and Gender
- This page discusses the differences between sex and gender, highlighting that sex pertains to physiological traits while gender is a social construct influenced by cultural norms. It acknowledges the complexity of intersex conditions, suggesting a spectrum rather than a strict binary. Gender identity can vary significantly, encompassing cisgender and transgender identities.
- 5.8: Sexuality
- This page discusses research on sexual pleasure, emphasizing that long-term, meaningful relationships provide the most satisfaction through enhanced intimacy. It acknowledges the persistence of marital infidelity despite societal disapproval and notes the predominance of heterosexual identities in the U.S., alongside the political significance of sexual orientation, highlighted by the legalization of same-sex marriage nationwide.
Thumbnail: Gender symbols intertwined. The red (left) is the female Venus symbol. The blue (right) represents the male Mars symbol. (CC BY-SA 2.0 unported; pschemp).