Exam 4: Gender and Sexuality

Jason, my four-year-old son, likes to play with a doll I gave him, tucking her in each night and having tea with her every morning. My husband keeps giving him trucks to distract him from the doll, but Jason doesn't seem interested in the vehicles. What is my husband trying to do?

Christina considers herself very liberal when it comes to sexual practices. However, according to the text, she is likely part of the growing percentage of the Canadian population that is becoming more conservative with regards to one potential sexual practice in particular. What is this practice?

Estimates of the prevalence of homosexuality depend heavily on how it is measured.

Derek prefers to wear makeup and heels because he has never quite felt like himself in his own skin even as a young boy. What term best describes Derek?

A young, monogamous, gay couple are open minded about sex and have an "anything goes" policy respecting their attitudes about sex. However, they have limits to their sexual expression and to that of others: sex is for consenting adults; sex should not be about power and dominance. What term best categorizes the attitude of these people?

Laura decided not to try out for the football team because she has always understood it as a male-dominated sport. Which of the following sociological concepts is Laura adhering to?

According to the text, what is sexual pluralism?

How would essentialists and social constructionists analyze David Reimer's situation? For which theory does his or her case represent a problem of explanation? Why?

According to the text, which group maintains that gender roles and sexual scripts emerge in response to the patriarchal nature of society?

Jennifer believes that women are naturally different from men because of biological differences. She believes that social factors do not influence gender roles and scripts. According to the text, how would sociologists label her perspective on gender differences?

According to the text, which of the following would explain why we have little formal sex socialization in our society?

According to the text, what do sexual jokes, comments, and touching that interfere with people's work constitute?

Although Jason was born a male, he has always thought of himself as a woman trapped in a man's body. What would sociologists describe Jason's situation as a struggle over?

According to social constructionists, what are the three main sociohistorical changes that led to the development of gender inequality?

Yolanda's husband stays home and cares for the children while she goes to work every day. Her girls rarely play with dolls, like to build models, and have joined a community hockey team. These activity choices may support arguments found in what sociological school of thought?

A sociologist argues that social inequality between males and females is a consequence of unbalanced socialization experiences or socialization that selectively favours males. If we changed socialization experiences, we could equalize perceptions about the value of men and women. What kind of theorizing is this?

What are the causes of harassment and violence against women? What role does male power and domination play in the assault of women?

Explain the difference between one's sex and one's gender.

According to the text, what is compulsory heterosexuality?

Describe and explain the two types of workplace sexual harassment mentioned in the text. Who is most at risk of being sexually harassed?