Class Notes

08.26.02

by: kat sabine

Gender implications for everyday life. RE: description for this course.

Did introductions for the Teaching Team.

Went over Assignments and Policies.

Remember that you must have an email account and web access are required for this course! Also, if you have not yet signed up on the class listserve - GET GOING!

Went over Class Requirements:

• Readings indicated with a "(RES)" on the syllabus, some are not yet availbale as the library is still processing them.

Slide Presentation on:

What is Gender?

• How we relate to others;
• How we interract with others predicated on preconcieved gender notions;
• Behavior as reinforcedwith strict social punishments for those who deviate.

What is Sex?

• Biological difference;
• Copulation;
• Genitals;
• Genital difference;
• Reproductive capability.

Gender is...

Personal attributes:

women	men
gentle	strong
smooth	hairy
emotional	rational
nurturing	competitive
breasts	pecs
plays w/ dolls	plays w/ action figures

Is this true?! What about women's hair removal? Why would a woman need breast augmentation? Or male breast reduction?

Primary characterisitic's of intimate relationships change over time...

Sparta 700 BCE (Greece)

• military society
• gender segregated
• marriage for:
  • family continuity
  • reproduction of warriors
• male bonding for love - homosexual relations were the norm

Present-day Gender Segregation...

• sports
• public bathrooms
• spas/gyms

Division of Labor