1. What is the Sex-Gender System?

The sex-gender system refers to the classification of individuals based on biological sex and the

societal roles and norms imposed upon them due to their gender. In this system, biological

differences between males and females are used as a basis to assign gender roles, which include

behaviors, expectations, and duties considered appropriate for men and women. This classification

leads to the development of gender norms that are passed down culturally and can often limit

individuals' potential based on these categories. For example, societies may expect men to be

aggressive and dominant, while women are seen as nurturing and passive. This system can

reinforce gender inequalities and reduce the complexity of individual identities by enforcing a binary

understanding of gender, despite the existence of non-binary or transgender identities. It highlights

how socialization and cultural expectations shape gender identity and expression, rather than

biology alone.

2. Discuss Various Gender Roles Existing in Society.

Gender roles refer to societal expectations and norms for individuals based on their perceived

gender. In many societies, traditional roles see men as providers, protectors, and leaders, while

women are seen as caregivers, nurturers, and homemakers. Men are expected to be strong,

decisive, and assertive, while women are expected to be emotional, nurturing, and passive.

However, these roles have shifted in modern societies. Men now participate more in caregiving and

household duties, and women are increasingly part of the workforce, taking up leadership roles.

Gender roles also vary across cultures; some may have more egalitarian expectations, while others

maintain strict traditional norms. In essence, gender roles are dynamic and socially constructed,

often changing with cultural shifts, legal reforms, and movements for gender equality. Challenging

these traditional roles can lead to greater gender equality but also meet resistance from those who

hold conservative views on gender.

Sex and gender are related to the body, but in different ways. Sex refers to biological attributes,

including chromosomes, hormones, and reproductive organs, that classify individuals as male,

female, or intersex. Gender, on the other hand, is a social construct that refers to the roles,

behaviors, and identities that society considers appropriate for men and women. While sex is

biologically determined, gender is culturally and socially shaped. However, society often assumes a

direct relationship between sex and gender, meaning individuals born male are expected to be

masculine, and those born female are expected to be feminine. This leads to a conflation of

biological sex with gender identity and expression, which overlooks the diversity of gender

experiences, including transgender and non-binary identities. Thus, the body becomes a site of both

biological difference and social meaning, with sex and gender often being intertwined in complex

ways.

4. List 10 Masculine and Feminine Attributes to Baby Boys and Baby Girls.

Masculine attributes for baby boys:

1. Strong

2. Active

3. Brave

4. Tough

5. Independent

6. Bold

7. Curious

8. Adventurous

9. Competitive

10. Assertive
Feminine attributes for baby girls:

1. Gentle

2. Caring

3. Nurturing

4. Emotional

5. Supportive

6. Delicate

7. Cooperative

8. Kind

9. Polite

10. Sensitive

5. Make a List of 20 Gender-Neutral Words That Are Used in Our Society.

1. Person

2. Leader

3. Chairperson

4. Athlete

5. Parent

6. Sibling

7. Doctor

8. Teacher

9. Manager

10. Employee

11. Scientist

12. Artist
13. Student

14. Child

15. Cousin

16. Friend

17. Partner

18. Chef

19. Writer

20. Guardian

6. Explain the Paradox of Gender with the Help of an Example.

The paradox of gender lies in the simultaneous understanding that gender is both socially

constructed and deeply ingrained in individual identity. For instance, while we recognize that gender

roles are culturally imposed, individuals often feel a strong sense of identification with their gender,

whether it aligns with societal expectations or not. For example, a man might reject the stereotype

that men must not show emotion but still identify as masculine based on other cultural norms of

strength and leadership. Similarly, a woman may advocate for gender equality but still find personal

value in performing traditional feminine roles, such as caregiving. This paradox shows how

individuals navigate between societal structures and personal experiences of gender.

7. Check Your Local Newspaper for Marriage Advertisements. Look at the Ways in Which Men and

Women Are Described. Make a List of Attributes That Are Most Commonly Found.

From marriage advertisements, men are often described using attributes like:

- Successful

- Educated

- Professionally stable

- Tall
- Financially independent

- Well-settled

- Ambitious

- Respectful

- Family-oriented

- Handsome

Women are commonly described as:

- Beautiful

- Fair

- Slim

- Well-educated

- Homely

- Respectful

- Caring

- Family-oriented

- Professionally qualified

- Polite

These descriptions reflect traditional views of masculinity and femininity, where men are valued for

their professional success and women for their physical appearance and domestic roles. This tells

us that masculinity is still understood in terms of financial and social status, while femininity is often

defined by beauty and domestic abilities.