Concept of gender

The concept of gender and sex is discussed here.

1. Concept of Gender

2. Meaning of Sex and Gender Exercise I Below are given a set of terms and ideas. Classify them in where you think they belong. 1.Biological 2.Sociological 3.Chromosomes 4.Hormones 5.Culture 6.Physiological 7.Psychological 8.Society

3. Meaning of Sex and Gender The terms ‘biological’, ‘chromosomes’, ‘hormones’, and ‘physiological’ point to the internal human body, while the terms ‘sociological’, ‘culture’, ‘psychological’, and ‘society’ are related to the external aspects. The terms which describe the aspects of human body come to mean as sex, while the rest of the terms describe gender. Sex and gender are like the two faces of the same coin. While sex refers to the biological and physiological aspects, gender refers to the sociological and cultural aspects.

4. Sex The word ‘sex’ comes from Latin word ‘ Sexus ’, which is determined by a person’ s reproductive organs. It is a biological term; people are termed either male or female depending on their sex organs, i.e., reproductive organs and genes. It refers to the genetic and physiological characteristics that indicate whether one is male or female. Sex refers to the biological difference between males and females. It relates to the observable differences between their genitals and to their psychological functions in procreation.

5. Gender The word ‘gender’ comes from Latin word ‘genus’, which means kind or race. Gender is a psychological and cultural term referring to one’s subjective feelings of maleness and femaleness. Gender may also refer to society’s evaluation of behaviour as masculine or feminine. The social and cultural definitions of men and women are called gender.

6. Distinction between Gender and Sex Gender Gender is socially constructed have specific roles, responsibilities and behaviour patterns. Gender is culture specific It varies within and between in society (i.e. as per regulations of social institutions) Sex Sex is biological; it refers to noticeable differences in reproductive organs. Sex is natural, constant and Universal. Sex cannot be changed

7. Feel free to ask any question.... Prepared By, Dr. Prerna Mandhyan Asst. Prof. Dept. of Education D. S. College, Katihar 7/23/2021