The Gender Continua Key AWL to Study Lowfrequency

The Gender Continua Key: AWL to Study, Low-frequency Vocabulary What is gender? What is a continuum?

Cultural Norms and Expectations • Prompt people to interpret gender as two discrete polarities: Ø male and female • Nature’s rich diversity includes a vast array of unique and varied gender manifestations. • A very small number of people can claim to be entirely male or female. If few people can claim to be 100% male or female, what can they claim?

Gender: A Continuum • Experts describe gender as a continuum with individuals at every point between the two extremes of male and female. Do you agree that gender is a continuum? Explain.

Four Separate Scales Describe the four scales included in the gender continua.

Biological Sex • Traits are assessed objectively using modern medical technology. Ø hormone levels Ø chromosome types Ø internal and external reproductive systems Ø secondary-sex characteristics Can you give examples of each of the four types of biological sex characteristics?

Not an Either-Or Phenomenon • Real-life examples exist at every point on the scale. • Intersex Society of North America estimates Ø one out of every 100 people differ from the “norm. ” In this context, what is meant by the term “norm”?

Gender Identity • How people view themselves in terms of gender. Ø continuum with more than two categories • In an honest self-assessment, people will admit to having some traits of the opposite sex. What traits are typically associated with each gender?

Societal and Familial Expectations • May lead to discomfort or anxiety about an “inappropriate” gender characteristic Ø may lead to homophobic behavior. What is homophobia?

Gender Expression • Comprises the ways people communicate gender: Ø dress Ø hairstyles Ø mannerisms Ø interests Ø speech • Masculine and feminine expression are at either end of the continuum. Ø androgynous at the center In what other ways do you think gender can be communicated?

Sexual Orientation • End points of the continuum: Ø attracted to men Ø attracted to women • Mid-range Ø bisexual and asexual people • Presumed that people are at one end or the other. Ø However, Alfred Kinsey’s classic studies illustrate that the majority of people exhibit an attraction to both sexes. Are you surprised by Kinsey’s findings? Why or why not?

The Gender-continua Model • The full spectrum of naturally occurring gender manifestations Ø negates the culturally imposed, black-and-white view of gender. Øequates it with infinite possibilities. What is meant by the phrase “black-and-white view”?