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CHAPTER 10 Summary and Review

Issues of Sex and Gender What are some forms of global violence against
females?
Distinguish between sex and gender; use research on The major forms discussed are honor killing and female cir-
10.1
Vietnam veterans and testosterone to explain why the door to cumcision. Pp. 300–301.
biology is opening in sociology.
Gender Inequality in the United States
What is gender stratification?
The term gender stratification refers to unequal access to Review the rise of feminism and summarize gender
10.3
property, power, and prestige on the basis of sex. Each soci- inequality in health care and education.
ety establishes a structure that, on the basis of sex and gen-
der, opens and closes doors to its privileges. P. 291. Is the feminist movement new?
How do sex and gender differ? In what is called the “first wave,” feminists made political de-
mands for change in the early 1900s—and were met with hostil-
Sex refers to biological distinctions between males and fe-
ity, and even violence. The “second wave” began in the 1960s
males. It consists of both primary and secondary sex char-
and continues today. A “third wave” has emerged. Pp. 302–304
acteristics. Gender, in contrast, is what a society considers
proper behaviors and attitudes for its male and female mem- What forms do gender inequality in health care
bers. Sex physically distinguishes males from females; gender and education take?
refers to what people call “masculine” and “feminine.”
Physicians don’t take women’s health complaints as seriously
P. 291.
as those of men, and they exploit women’s fears, performing
Why do the behaviors of males and females unnecessary hysterectomies. More women than men attend
differ? college. Some majors are categorized as “feminine” or “mas-
culine.” Pp. 304–308.
The “nature versus nurture” debate refers to whether dif-
ferences in the behaviors of males and females are caused by How does gender inequality show up in the
inherited (biological) or learned (cultural) characteristics. Al- workplace?
most all sociologists take the side of nurture. In recent years,
however, sociologists have begun to cautiously open the Explain reasons for the pay gap; discuss the glass ceiling
10.4
door to biology. Pp. 291–296. and sexual harassment.
Gender Inequality in Global All occupations show a gender gap in pay. For college graduates,
the lifetime pay gap runs over a million dollars in favor of men.
Perspective Women often confront a glass ceiling. Sexual harassment also
continues to be a reality of the workplace. Pp. 308–313.

Discuss the origin of gender discrimination and review What is the relationship between gender and
10.2
global aspects of violence against women. violence?
How did females become a minority group?
Summarize violence against women: rape, murder, and
10.5
Patriarchy, or male dominance, appears to be universal. The violence in the home.
origin of discrimination against females is lost in history, but
the primary theory of how females became a minority group Overwhelmingly, the victims of rape, murder, and spouse
in their own societies focuses on the physical limitations im- abuse are females. Conflict theorists point out that men use
posed by childbirth. Pp. 297–300. violence to maintain their power and privilege. Pp. 313–315.