Deck 9: Gender

Question 1

Which of the following statements accurately describes the distinction many social scientists make between sex and gender?

A) Sex is a reproductive activity that individuals of either different genders or the same gender may engage in.
B) Sex refers to the biological characteristics of male and female. Gender refers to the social and cultural characteristics of masculine and feminine.
C) Sex is a rigid, clearly defined category, whereas gender is fluid and ambiguous.
D) There is no difference.
E) None of the above

Answer 1

B

Question 2

In chapter 9, we learn about Helen Mather, an individual with male chromosomes who failed to develop the genitalia of either sex. What does her example teach us about sex and gender?

A) Socialization and cultural factors play an important role in gender identities.
B) Sex reassignment surgery is a straightforward solution to the confusion and turmoil of unclear gender identity.
C) Individuals who are ambiguously sexed are unaccepted and ostracized from popular society.
D) Both a and b, but not c
E) None of the above

Answer 2

A

Question 3

George Murdock's alleged finding that there are biological differences between men and women which result in a similar division of tasks around the world is an example of what kind of argument?

A) Structuralism
B) Fundamentalism
C) Biological Determinism
D) Collectivism
E) All of the above

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Which of the following statements does not pose a challenge to Murdock's claim?

A) There is variation across cultures in the gendered division of labor.
B) Throughout history, labor has not always been divided the same way between men and women.
C) The argument that men and women are biologically different and suited for different tasks has been maintained primarily by male social scientists in order to sustain the status quo.
D) Social movements have questioned gender stereotypes, and challenged the notion that all men or all women are alike.
E) None of the above

Question 5

Which of the following statements would a contemporary sociologist be likely to support?

A) Gendering takes place from the moment of birth.
B) The goal of socialization is to encourage the child to develop a gendered identity that the social environment deems appropriate for its sex.
C) Gender is not an inevitable outcome of biology.
D) Gendering is a process and product of social construction.
E) All of the above

Question 6

What negative side effects have occurred as a result of contemporary society's concern for developing the body and its appearances?

A) Social norms and values regarding beauty, masculinity, and femininity are constantly changing. As a result, gender has become more ambiguous, and sexual morality is declining.
B) Too much emphasis on body image can lead to disorders and nervous conditions where the individual no longer sees their own appearance accurately.
C) From a very young age, children are socialized to be more concerned with their appearance than their character. This has contributed greatly to modern society's increased materialism.
D) All of the above

Question 7

What does it mean to say that "adults encounter a gendered work world"?

A) Individuals must be clearly defined as either a male or female before they are able to be hired.
B) Women are not capable of performing the same tasks that men perform.
C) Work environments enforce strict rules and regulations that reinforce traditional roles for women and men.
D) Many workplaces are predominantly one gender or completely the other gender.
E) None of the above

Question 8

Vertical Segregation in the work force means:

A) Women are concentrated at the lower levels of an occupation's hierarchy in terms of rewards and status.
B) Women and men hold different jobs in different types of occupations. For example, women tend to hold jobs as school teachers and nurses whereas men tend to hold jobs as engineers and construction workers.
C) Women have unequal access to certain jobs due to their smaller stature than men.
D) Both a and b, but not c
E) None of the above.

Question 9

Horizontal Segregation in the work force means:

A) Women are concentrated at the lower levels of occupation's hierarchy in terms of rewards and status.
B) Women and men hold different jobs in different types of occupations. For example, women tend to hold jobs as school teachers and nurses tend whereas men tend to hold jobs as engineers and construction workers.
C) Women who are overweight are limited in the jobs they are able to perform due to their larger size and lower fitness level.
D) None of the above

Question 10

Which of the following examples would be evidence that so-called 'women's work' and 'men's work' are not natural categories, but instead are socially constructed?

A) In the United States, the majority of physicians are men. In Russia, the majority of physicians are women.
B) Women are 5 times more likely than men to be nurses.
C) Gradually, more women are becoming chief executive officers (CEOs) in major corporations.
D) Both a and c, but not b
E) None of the above

Question 11

The 'reserve army of labor' refers to:

A) Individuals who commit to the military for a limited time span rather than a regular tour of duty.
B) Individuals who have power in the marketplace and are able to manipulate their situation to maximize their own benefit.
C) A pool of individuals that employers can draw on during a labor shortage, but then reduce to part-time work or dismiss once the shortage is over.
D) Individuals who are looking for temporary employment.
E) None of the above

Question 12

Which of the following is not an example of problems faced when estimating gender abuse?

A) Victims are ashamed or afraid to report abuse.
B) Gender abuse is not universally considered a crime. For example, domestic violence is a crime in some countries, but not criminalized in others.
C) Violent acts are culturally defined. For example, female genital surgeries are considered morally abhorrent in Western societies, but in many societies 'female circumcision' is an important part of the cultural heritage.
D) Gender abuse is not clearly defined. For example, some critics argue that pornography is gender abuse, yet it is legal to purchase in many places.
E) None of the above

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of how gender differences are expressed on a day to day basis?

A) Certain languages have gendered nouns (i.e. policeman).
B) When on a heterosexual date, there are different expectations for men's and women's behavior.
C) Media advertisements present visual representations of men's and women's behavior and appearances.
D) Beauty regimes and dieting norms are different for men and women.
E) All of the above

Question 14

Foucault argued that bodies are a site for power relationships. Some feminists have used this as support for women's resistance to oppressive beauty regimes. Why have some other feminists been more cautious?

A) They disagree with Foucault's argument. Women are free actors, and if they wear makeup and diet it is purely their own choice.
B) They are wary of regarding women who diet, wear makeup, and so on as 'cultural dopes.'
C) All feminists agree with Foucault.
D) This isn't Foucault's argument.
E) None of the above

Question 15

When chapter 9 discusses a 'cultural dopes' argument, it is referring to:

A) The misconception that, whereas some individuals interact with social texts in a knowledgeable and meaningful way, many others uncritically accept everything they 'read.'
B) Individuals who are less educated and of a lower class, therefore having less cultural capital.
C) Individuals who are unaware of the structural inequalities of social life.
D) Individuals who are willing to pay a great deal of money for artwork, without realizing that they are buying a reproduction.
E) None of the above

Question 16

The first wave of feminists' major achievement was:

A) The first woman appointed to the Presidential Cabinet
B) Overturning unjust labor laws.
C) Burning their bras
D) Gaining the right to vote for women
E) All of the above

Question 17

The second wave of feminists was primarily concerned with:

A) Overthrowing society's view of women's primary role as mother and housewife.
B) Gaining access to formerly all-male occupations
C) Fighting for equal pay for women and men
D) Addressing 'identity politics' and lifestyle issues
E) All of the above

Question 18

"Gender equality will only be achieved by guaranteeing and protecting women's political rights." Which of the following 'genre' of feminists might make this argument?

A) Liberal
B) Radical
C) Socialist
D) Transcendental
E) None of the above

Question 19

"The exploitation of women is built into the labor market through low-paying jobs and unpaid domestic labor. Gender inequality will only be reached by improving the economy" Which of the following 'genre' of feminists might make this argument?

A) Liberal
B) Radical
C) Socialist
D) Transcendental
E) None of the above

Question 20

"Patriarchy is a system of oppression that goes beyond discrimination. Gender equality will only be achieved by changing institutions that currently legitimize patriarchy." Which of the following 'genre' of feminists might make this argument?

A) Liberal
B) Radical
C) Socialist
D) Transcendental
E) None of the above

Question 21

Ideas about gender differences, masculinity and femininity are becoming less clear in the 21^st century.

Question 22

Empirical research has shown that even as babies, boys and girls are handled and responded to differently by parents and care-givers.

Question 23

Body image, beauty practices, and dieting regimes are harmless, natural elements of daily life as a human being.

Question 24

Gender is the sole source of discrimination in job allocation.

Question 25

While what is regarded as 'women's work' or 'men's work' often seems normal and natural, these are in fact socially constructed categories.

Question 26

Gender inequality is solely a product of the labor market and available employment opportunities.

Question 27

Gender inequality is confined to the sphere of paid work.

Question 28

Workers in the reserve army of labor tend to be women and immigrants.

Question 29

Feminists and Michel Foucault argue that the body is a central location for power relationships.

Question 30

Women are simultaneously 'knowledgeable and active agents' in social life and individuals influenced by unequal social structures.