Gender and Sexuality

1. Why do anthropologists study gender and sex?

1.1. The relationship between gender and sex is talked about because it makes anthropologists consider the relationship between biology and culture.

2. Sexuality

2.1. the ways in which we construct attraction and pleasure, both physically and intellectually

2.1.1. Attraction and pleasure are biological responses shaped by culture

2.2. Heteronormativity

2.2.1. the idea that men should only like women and women should only like men is what is considered “normal”

2.3. Heterosexuality

2.3.1. being sexually attracted to someone of the opposite gender

2.4. Homosexuality

2.4.1. being sexually attracted to someone of the same gender

3. "The Egg and the Sperm" by Emily Martin

3.1. Stereotypes are hidden in the language we use to talk about biology

3.1.1. The egg

3.1.1.1. eggs are dependent, passive, and delicate like damsels in distress

3.1.2. The sperm

3.1.2.1. sperm is seen as independent like heroic warriors, energetic and strong

4. Sex

4.1. the biological differences between primary and secondary sexual organs

4.2. assigned at birth

5. Gender

5.1. the characteristics and expectations associated with being a “man” or “woman”

5.2. is socially constructed

5.2.1. since it is socially constructed, many cultures have more than 2 genders