Biological Determination

gender is determined by what you biologically are– idea that society around you determines what your gender is.

Biopolitics

A theory that all forms of life are in some way political and therefore subject to debate, control, and regulation.

Feminization

The process by which something takes on the characteristics of the stereotypically feminine.

Fluid

Resisting one fixed and unchangeable form (e.g., fluid sexuality, fluid identity).

Gender Binary

Model that implies that the two terms are opposite, not existing on a continuum – reduces complexity, suggest power relation (one is not better than other).

Gender identity

The subjective but continuous, persistent sense of oneself as male or female.

(( Or neither, or both.))

Gender presentation

The presentation of one’s gender through personality or bodily dress.

Gender roles

Behaviors, attitudes, values, or beliefs that a cultural group considers appropriate for males vs. females on the basis of biological sex (e.g., dolls vs. trucks, pink vs. blue).

Hegemonic Femininity

standards for women, nurturing, nice (Barbie)

Hegemonic Masculinity

Cultural standards to be a “man”, strong breadwinner (GI Joe)

Heteronormativity

ways in which variations from heterosexuality are marginalized.

Matrilineal/matrilocal

Refers to kinship and descent traced through the mother.

Nature/culture

A central and defining hierarchical binary that divides the world according to the natural, uncivilized, and barbaric versus the cultural, civilized, and refined.

Patriarchy

Social and cultural manifestation of masculine power enacted in marriage, church, state, social relations.

Patrilineal/patrilocal

Refers to kinship and descent traced through the father.

Phallocentrism

Derived from the word “phallus” (male penis). This refers to something that is centered on men or a male viewpoint, especially related to the domination of women.

Phallogocentrism

A combination of phallocentrism and logo centrism, resulting in an a historical and noncontexualized view of male dominance, thus limiting and restricting knowledge while also forming the roots of women’s oppression.

Sex vs. gender

Sex refers to the biological aspects of being male or female; gender refers to the social aspects of being male or female.

Sexual identity

The “objective” characterization of one’s physiological status as male or female.

Sexual orientation

Inclination toward same-sex and/or opposite-sex partners (e.g., homosexual, bisexual, heterosexual).

Sex role stereotype

The socially determined model that contains beliefs about what certain gender roles should be.

Sex typing

Differential treatment of people based on their biological sex.

Sexuality

The dimension of human existence involving sexual acts, preferences, behaviors, and identities.