Question 1

What criticism do third-wave feminists commonly level against the first two waves of feminism?

Accepted Answer

Third-wave feminists commonly criticize the first two waves of feminism for marginalizing the concerns of women of color, lesbians, and working-class women. They argue that the earlier movements were primarily focused on the needs and concerns of white, middle-class, and heterosexual women, and that the experiences and perspectives of other women were often ignored or dismissed.

Question 2

In The Mismeasure of Women,social psychologist Carol Tavris argues that there is nothing "universal and nonvarying . . .in the natures of men and women." If you agree with her,you would have to reject the concept of:

Accepted Answer

The concept of essentialism is based on the belief that there are inherent, unchanging qualities that define a particular group (in this case, men and women). Tavris' argument directly challenges this belief, asserting that gender differences and characteristics are socially constructed and therefore subject to change over time and across cultures.

Question 3

A five-year-old boy hurts himself while playing with his toys and immediately begins to cry.His father walks over to him and says: "Don't be a sissy,boys don't cry." This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The father's statement reflects the societal expectation and socialization of boys to be tough and not show emotions like crying. This reinforces the gender role of masculinity and the suppression of emotions traditionally associated with femininity.

Question 4

With what issue is first-wave feminism most strongly associated?

Accepted Answer

First-wave feminism is most strongly associated with women's suffrage, which was the primary goal of the movement during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The suffrage movement led to the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, which granted women the right to vote in the US. While other issues such as workplace equality and reproductive rights were also important to early feminists, suffrage was the initial and most recognized goal of the movement.

Question 5

While shopping for clothes,a black woman is followed around the store by a white sales associate.frustrated,she leaves the store and decides to go home.Her husband,on seeing her enter the house,asks: "What's for dinner?" What concept could we as sociologists use to understand her experiences,both in the store and at home?

Accepted Answer

The concept of intersectionality recognizes that individuals experience oppression and discrimination in unique ways based on the intersection of their race, gender, class, and other social identities. In this scenario, the black woman is not only facing the gender inequality of being followed in the store but also the racial discrimination of being assumed to be a potential thief because of her skin color. Her husband's dismissive comment at home also exemplifies how sexism intersects with racism to further marginalize black women. Thus, intersectionality is the best concept to understand her experiences.

Question 6

In 2009,South African track star Caster Semenya broke the world record in the 800-meter race.Subsequently,she was asked to prove to the world that she was a woman,and the International Association of Athletics federations (IAAf)subjected her to a complex series of tests that included physical and medical examinations.The controversy over Semenya's gender raises which of the following issues?

Accepted Answer

The controversy over Semenya's gender reveals how society often reduces womanhood to essentialist biological traits that can be tested and analyzed, rather than recognizing the complexity and diversity of gender identity. The controversy reflects the limited understanding and rigid categorization of gender that exists in many cultures and institutions. The IAAF's treatment of Semenya also highlights how gender inequalities are perpetuated in sports by imposing arbitrary standards of femininity on female athletes. While medical and physical examinations may be necessary in some cases, the controversy surrounding Semenya illustrates the need for a more nuanced and inclusive understanding of gender identity and expression.

Question 7

Medical research has demonstrated that individuals who have higher levels of testosterone are more assertive,dominant,and competitive.However,as the social psychologist Allan Mazur noticed in his study of chess competitions,testosterone levels rose in chess players before a match and then rose again in the match's winner,but they fell in the loser.What does this suggest about the origin of gender?

Accepted Answer

The fact that testosterone levels rise in both male and female chess players before a match and then rise again in the match's winner, suggests that there is a biological component to gender, as hormones like testosterone have been linked to dominant and assertive behavior. However, the fact that testosterone levels fell in the match's loser also suggests that social context and situational factors can play a role in determining gender as well. Therefore, the best choice is D, which suggests that gender is a result of an interaction between biology and social contexts.

Question 8

Looking at Table 9.3 ("Selected Occupations by Gender,2014"),what conclusion can be drawn about gendered occupations?

Accepted Answer

Table 9.3 shows that men outnumber women in occupations that have higher salaries and prestige, such as chief executives, engineers, and physicians. Therefore, it can be concluded that gendered occupations favor men in terms of salary and status.

Question 9

What term was used by nineteenth-century explorers and missionaries to describe Native Americans who were neither male nor female but somehow both?

Accepted Answer

The term "berdache" was used by nineteenth-century explorers and missionaries to describe Native Americans who were neither male nor female but somehow both. This term has since been replaced by more culturally specific terms such as Two-Spirit in some Native American communities. "Transsexuals" and "transvestites" are terms that were not commonly used or understood in the nineteenth century, and "queers" is a derogatory term that was not commonly used until the twentieth century.

Question 10

What was the first network television show to feature a lesbian lead character?

Accepted Answer

Ellen, also known as These Friends of Mine, premiered in 1994 and featured Ellen DeGeneres as the lead character, who came out as a lesbian on the show in 1997. This made it the first network television show to feature a lesbian lead character.

Question 11

In the opening pages of The feminine Mystique,Betty friedan wrote about a problem that "lay buried,unspoken,for many years in the minds of American women." What was this problem?

Accepted Answer

Betty Friedan wrote in the opening pages of The Feminine Mystique about the problem of women experiencing dissatisfaction with traditional gender roles, which had been buried and unspoken for many years. She argued that women were expected to find fulfillment solely in homemaking and motherhood, while their own desires and ambitions were ignored. This led to what Friedan called "the problem that has no name," a sense of emptiness and frustration among women who felt that something was missing from their lives.

Question 12

Why might LGBTQ rights groups be predisposed to believe that homosexuality has a genetic origin?

Accepted Answer

LGBTQ rights groups might be predisposed to believe that homosexuality has a genetic origin because they believe that if sexual orientation is something we are born with, then discrimination against gays and lesbians is much less acceptable. It strengthens their argument that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is similar to discrimination on the basis of race or gender, and thus, provides a stronger basis for legal protections.

Question 13

Which of the following groups argues that men suffer discrimination as a result of feminism?

Accepted Answer

The men's rights movement argues that men suffer discrimination as a result of feminism. The Republican Party may have criticisms of feminism but they do not specifically argue that men are discriminated against because of it. Third-wave feminists and gay and lesbian groups typically advocate for gender and LGBTQ+ equality and do not focus on men's issues specifically.

Question 14

In 2006,New York City announced that it was moving forward with a plan to allow transgender residents to change the sex listed on their birth certificates if they had lived in their adopted gender for at least two years;no physiological change or medical authorization would be required.How is New York City defining gender?

Accepted Answer

By allowing transgender residents to change their sex on their birth certificates without requiring physiological changes or medical authorization, New York City is separating the concept of gender from biological sex. This approach recognizes that a person's gender identity may not align with the sex they were assigned at birth and allows individuals to legally recognize and affirm their gender identity.

Question 15

A same-sex couple holding hands or kissing in public may receive disapproving looks or even abusive comments from other people.This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Homophobia refers to fear, hatred, or discomfort towards individuals who are attracted to the same sex or have a non-heterosexual identity. The disapproving looks or abusive comments directed at a same-sex couple holding hands or kissing in public demonstrate homophobia.

Question 16

In 2012,according to United Nations estimates,what percentage of human trafficking victims were exploited as sex slaves?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In 2012,according to United Nations estimates,what percentage...

Question 17

The Intersex Society of North America recommends that "surgeries done to make the genitals look 'more normal' should not be performed until a child is mature enough to make an informed decision for herself or himself." Usually,doctors would always try to involve a patient in his or her treatment,so why is this advice necessary?

Accepted Answer

This advice is necessary because, in our society, the idea of someone being ambiguously sexed is still seen as a threat, and often surgical procedures are performed on infants without their consent. The Intersex Society of North America advocates for waiting until the person is old enough to make an informed decision for themselves. The other choices are not relevant to the reason why this advice is necessary.

Question 18

Margaret Mead,an American anthropologist,spent much of her career documenting the ways in which other cultures had gender roles that differed,sometimes radically,from those of twentieth-century America.Why does this matter?

Accepted Answer

Margaret Mead's work demonstrates that the understanding of gender roles is culturally constructed rather than naturally occurring. This supports the idea that gender is not solely determined by biology, but rather by societal norms and expectations. It also highlights the importance of recognizing and respecting diversity in gender roles across different cultures. Option A is incorrect as it assumes that the American version of gender roles is the most advanced, which is a biased and ethnocentric view. Option C is incorrect as it suggests that gender is solely determined by the physical environment, which is not supported by Mead's research. Option D is incorrect as it assumes a binary view of gender without recognizing the existence of non-binary gender identities.

Question 19

Social movements that are organized around a belief in the social,political,and economic equality of the sexes are called:

Accepted Answer

Feminism is the social movement organized around the belief in gender equality. It aims to end sexism, gender-based discrimination, and inequality in all aspects of society, including in politics, economics, and social relationships.

Question 20

Sociologists who study gender in rural areas have noticed that even though everyone in a family has to work on the farm,there is only one person,usually a male,called the "farmer"-the position with the most prestige.This means that rural areas are:

Accepted Answer

The fact that only one person, typically a male, is referred to as the "farmer" suggests that rural areas are organized in a patriarchal manner, where men hold the most prestigious positions and have greater power and control over resources. This does not necessarily mean that women are forced to work a "second shift," but it does indicate that gender inequality exists in rural areas. Option B cannot be chosen because if only one person (usually male) is given the greatest prestige, rural areas cannot be considered gender-neutral. Option D is incorrect because the scenario described suggests the opposite of a feminist system, where gender equality is prioritized.

Quiz 9: Constructing Gender and Sexuality