SOC 603 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Gender Inequality, Internalized Oppression, Henry Louis Gates Jr.

• School: Ryerson University
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 603
• Professor: Robinder Sehdev

Document Summary

Define: the terms gender and sex are now often used interchangeably. Sex refers to the biological differences of humans, categorizing individuals as either male or female, whereas gender is the socially constructed idea of characteristics that males and females have. The characteristics of male and female have become a norm in societies, so anything different is abnormal. Sex is the biological makeup that determines whether one is male, female, or perhaps intersex. Gender is a socially constructed concept that varies from culture to culture. It is that qualities and characteristics that apply to either being a male or female. The concept of gender has been around for so long that it has become expected of every individual to conform. Sex differences are the differences between male and female that are not socially constructed. They can be determined through anatomy, physical differences, hormones and chemistry.