SEX, GENDER and CULTURE.pptVIP

SEX, GENDER and CULTURE: In anthropology we refer to: “gender” as a culturally constructed category “sex” as a biologically determined category. Yet in other cultures such as, for example, many Native American cultures, there is recognition of a third and sometimes fourth gender. Commonly a two spirit is someone who although biologically male chooses to adapt some similarities with women’s dress often creating their unique form of clothing. A two spirit individual also takes on some of tasks commonly preformed by women. But the two spirit is regarded as special, an asset to the group, someone with a special spiritual connection who is revered as distinct and extraordinary. Most two spirits begin to show signs of wishing this alternate path in life in childhood. While there has been more evidence of biologically male two spirits, there are also individuals who although biologically female adapt male roles and forms of attire. Being two spirit does not indicate that the individual is homosexual, a transvestite or a transsexual. The choice of sexual behavior and marriage seems to occur more on an individual basis rather than as part of the role of being a two spirit. For example, a biologically male two spirit may become a second wife to a man or perhaps not marry at all. A two spirit individual who is biologically female, if the two spirit chooses to do so, may marry another women and have intimate relations with her. To understand the two spirit status it is more productive to think of them as a unique gender and not someone who half male and half female or a biological male becoming a female or a biological female becoming a male. GENDER ROLES: We recognize that there are globally some common patterns in how cultures divide up work between women and men. Please consult the chart on p.145 of the textbook. Why do we have these common patterns of dividing labor by gender? There are several reasons: (1) The strength theory: Men tend to get assigned work activit