The Gender ContinuaThe Gender ContinuaKey: AWL to Study, Low-frequency Vocabulary

What is gender? What is a continuum?

Cultural Norms and ExpectationsCultural Norms and Expectations• Prompt people to interpret gender as two discrete

polarities: male and female

• Nature’s rich diversity includesa 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 Gender: A ContinuumContinuum• 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 ScalesFour Separate Scales

Describe the four scales included in the gender continua.

Biological SexBiological Sex• Traits are assessed objectively using modern medical

technology. hormone levels chromosome types internal and external reproductive systems secondary-sex characteristics

Can you give examples of each of the four types of biological sex characteristics?

Not an Either-Or Not an Either-Or PhenomenonPhenomenon• Real-life examples exist at every point on the scale.• Intersex Society of North America estimates

one out of every 100 people differ from the “norm.”

In this context, what is meant by the term “norm”?

Gender Gender IdentityIdentity• How people view themselves in terms of gender.

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 andSocietal and FamilialFamilial Expectations Expectations • May lead to discomfort or anxiety about an

“inappropriate” gender characteristic may lead to homophobic behavior.

What is homophobia?

Gender Expression Gender Expression • Comprises the ways people communicate gender:

dress hairstyles mannerisms interests speech

• Masculine and feminine expression are at either end of the continuum. androgynous at the center

In what other ways do you think gender can be communicated?

Sexual OrientationSexual Orientation• End points of the continuum:

attracted to men attracted to women

• Mid-range bisexual and asexual people

• Presumed that people are at one end or the other. 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-continuaThe Gender-continua ModelModel• The full spectrum of naturally occurring gender

manifestations negates the culturally imposed, black-and-white view of gender. equates it with infinite possibilities.

What is meant by the phrase “black-and-white view”?