Gender - Sex and gender - The Cultural Construction of Gender

5 important questions on Gender - Sex and gender - The Cultural Construction of Gender

What do we mean by 'the cultural construction of gender'?

The idea that gender characteristics are the result of historical, economic, and political forces acting within each culture.

What is some of the anthropological evidence that gender is culturally rather than biologically determined?

Margaret Mead's early studies, as well as subsequent studies of variation in gender roles across cultures, support the prevailing view in anthropology today that gender is culturally constructed.

A culture's construction of gender always includes a reference to the differences between male and female sexuality. Such understandings are often used to support sexual ideologies that intersect with the construction of...

Race, class and other forms of social hierarchy.
  • Higher grades + faster learning
  • Never study anything twice
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Discover Study Smart

How does cross-cultural evidence raise questions about the Western view of the division of humanity into male and female?

Although all cultures distinguish between masculine and feminine, some cultures also include alternative, in-between, or third gender roles. These include the two-spirit role among Native Americans and the hijras of India.

In what way can cultures differ from each other how they construct sex and gender?

They differ on the extent to which this variation is recognized, whether or not it is ritualized, the degree of which sex and gender transformations are considered to be complete, the association of sex and gender transformations with males or females, the special functions of alternative sexes and genders, and the value and stigma placed on such variations. ALSO, in their understanding of appropriate sexual behaviour.

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

  • A unique study and practice tool
  • Never study anything twice again
  • Get the grades you hope for
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Remember faster, study better. Scientifically proven.
Trustpilot Logo