Understanding Gender
Sex/Gender
sex - biological, genetic make-up
XX = female
XY = male
X0 = female
0Y = not viable
- external parts
- intersex - people born with both, neither
gender - cultural
what people of a particular sex do
how much is “nature” / how much is “nurture”
transgender/transsexual people
gender - how many?
USA - 2 genders - male/female
other groups - 3 - male/female/other
Why do we care?
Division of labor based on gender
Kinship
We just like to know - cultural descriptor
Sexual Behavior
“how-to” - acceptable in public
acceptable only in private
Heterosexuality/Homosexuality
variation is found everywhere
unique about modern Western world
- understanding of homosexuality as similar/same as heterosexuality
“nature” or “nurture”
forbidden under any circumstances
Circumcision
male - fine, relatively routine
female - female genital mutilation/cutting
US - not fine, don’t practice it
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