Chapter 3 Gender Development, Gender Roles, and Gender Identity

LEARNING OBJECTIVES Chapter 3 Gender Development, Gender Roles, and Gender Identity Prenatal Development: X and Y Make the Difference 1. Explain the process of conception or fertilization. 2. Discuss the process of sexual differentiation during the prenatal period. 3. Discuss possible brain differentiation during the prenatal period. 4. Summarize the kinds of sex chromosomal disorders included in your text. 5. Describe hormonal irregularities during conception and the resulting conditions. Gender Roles and Gender Traits 6. Explain what is meant by gender roles and gender traits. 7. Discuss the changing nature of masculinity and femininity. 8. Describe evidence for biological bases versus cultural bases for gender differences. Gender Role Theory 9. How does adaptation relate to gender according to evolutionary biology? 10. Describe gender role acquisition according to social learning theory. 11. Explain gender roles according to cognitive development theory. 12. How do gender schemas impact our gender roles? 13. Explain the basic concepts in gender hierarchy theories—Chodorow’s developmental theory, Ortner’s culture/nature theory, and MacKinnon’s dominance theory. Varieties of Gender 14. Discuss how gender is socially constructed. 15. Describe cross-cultural similarities and differences in gender roles. 16. Explain the concept of androgyny and how this differs from traditional concepts of masculinity/femininity. 17. Describe similarities and differences in the concepts of transgendered, transsexuals, and transvestites. 18. Explain gender dysphoria and why someone might choose sex reassignment surgery. 19. Describe the process and outcomes of sex reassignment surgery 20. Describe other cultures that include a third gender. 21. Explain asexualism.

Gender Role Socialization from Babyhood through Old Age 1. Summarize how parents socialize a child for specific gender roles from the prenatal period through adolescence. 2. Explain gender segregation and homosocial play. 3. Describe how gender roles emerge in adolescence. 4. What are differences in gender role expectations in adulthood? 5. Discuss changing expectations regarding gender roles. 6. Explain how gender impacts the senior years. 7. Discuss the socialization of gender in your ideal society.