Exam 4: Gender and Sexuality

Curiosity plays an important part in the initiation of the first experience of sexual intercourse in our culture.

The author suggests that it is inaccurate to think of sexuality in terms of the strict dichotomy of heterosexual and homosexual. What are the four criteria the author prefers, and why?

Sally believes that men should be tough, unemotional, and protective, and women should be dainty, emotional, and protected. Which of the following concepts best characterizes Sally's notions about males and females?

Your sex is dependent on what genitalia and hormones you are born with.

According to the text, which of the following explains why physical attractiveness is especially important to women?

Nathan grew up with a mother whom he saw as hostile and a father who was always distant. He used to dream that he would one day be able to control his mother. According to the text, what kind of man does this profile describe?

According to the text, which of the following best describes perpetrators of child sexual assault?

According to the text, activities that are intended to lead to erotic arousal and produce genital response are governed by what?

According to the text, in more egalitarian societies, how are people's gender preferences for a partner best characterized?

Renato and Fernando are friends who spend most of their time playing sports. They never ask each other for help with personal problems and never let each other see if they are upset. This is because of gendered expectations of what is appropriate behaviour for a friend. How is this expectation learned?

Sociobiology uses strictly sociological explanations to argue that the differences between men and women are natural.

Compare and contrast the official positions of the five major world religions on sexual issues.

What do recent surveys show with respect to sexual attitudes and behaviour? How do your personal experiences reflect these changes?

Cross-cultural and historical evidence indicates that there is minimal variation in attitudes toward sex, sexual identity, sexual orientation, and sexual conduct.

According to the text, when was the term "heterosexuality" coined?

Using three of the six critiques of essentialism offered in the text, explain why the majority of sociologists today find the essentialist position on sexuality and gender to be problematic.

Using the case of David Reimer, apply the sociological concepts of gender identity and gender roles. What social pressures did he or she face? Is taking estrogen simply a medical problem?

Freud believed that sexuality was the main human instinct.

Sue refuses to send her boyfriend flowers at work because she believes that it would be inappropriate and embarrassing for him. Boyfriends don't get flowers; they send flowers. Which of the following sociological concepts is Sue adhering to?

Explain what is meant by the new sexual ethic. Provide examples from the media and your experiences that illustrate this new sexual ethic.