🗿Intro to Anthropology Unit 12 – Gender and Sexuality

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Gender refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviors, and attributes that a society considers appropriate for men and women
• Sex is a biological classification based on reproductive anatomy, hormones, and chromosomes (male, female, or intersex)
• Gender identity is an individual's internal sense of being male, female, neither, or other genders
  • Can be influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors
  • May or may not correspond with the sex assigned at birth
• Sexual orientation describes patterns of emotional, romantic, and sexual attraction to men, women, both, neither, or other genders (heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, asexual)
• Gender roles are the societal norms and expectations associated with being male or female in a particular culture
• Gender expression encompasses the ways individuals communicate their gender identity through appearance, behavior, and other external characteristics
• Transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth
• Cisgender describes individuals whose gender identity aligns with their sex assigned at birth

Historical Perspectives on Gender and Sexuality

• Early anthropological studies often relied on Western binary concepts of gender and sexuality, leading to biased interpretations of other cultures
• Margaret Mead's work in Samoa (1920s) challenged the notion of universal gender roles and suggested that cultural factors shape gender identity and expression
• Kinsey Reports (1940s-1950s) revealed a wide spectrum of sexual behaviors and orientations, challenging the dichotomous view of sexuality
• Feminist anthropology emerged in the 1970s, focusing on the experiences and perspectives of women across cultures and critiquing male-centered anthropological theories
• Foucault's "The History of Sexuality" (1976) argued that sexuality is a social construct shaped by historical and cultural contexts, rather than a purely biological phenomenon
• Queer theory, developed in the 1990s, examines the fluidity and diversity of gender and sexual identities, challenging heteronormative assumptions
• Recent anthropological research emphasizes the importance of intersectionality, recognizing that gender and sexuality intersect with other aspects of identity (race, class, ethnicity, ability)

Cultural Variations in Gender Roles

• Gender roles and expectations vary widely across cultures and can change over time within a single society
• Some societies recognize more than two genders, such as the hijras in India or the fa'afafine in Samoa
  • Hijras are a third gender in India who identify as neither male nor female and often perform specific cultural and religious roles
  • Fa'afafine are individuals in Samoan culture who are assigned male at birth but embody both masculine and feminine traits
• In many Native American cultures, two-spirit individuals embody both masculine and feminine qualities and may take on specific social and spiritual roles
• Matrilineal societies, such as the Mosuo in China, trace descent and inheritance through the mother's line and often grant women greater power and autonomy
• Patriarchal societies, such as the Maasai in East Africa, are characterized by male dominance and the subordination of women
• Division of labor based on gender varies across cultures, with some societies having strict gender-based roles (hunter-gatherer societies) while others have more flexible divisions (agricultural societies)
• Gender roles can be influenced by factors such as religion, economics, and political structures

Sexuality Across Cultures

• Sexual practices, norms, and taboos vary widely across cultures and can change over time within a single society
• In some cultures, sexual activity is seen as a natural and necessary part of human life (Trobriand Islanders), while in others, it is highly regulated and restricted (Victorian England)
• Polygamy, the practice of having multiple spouses, is accepted in some cultures (certain Islamic societies) but prohibited in others (most Western societies)
  • Polygyny refers to a man having multiple wives
  • Polyandry refers to a woman having multiple husbands
• Same-sex relationships and behaviors are accepted and even celebrated in some cultures (ancient Greece, certain Native American tribes) but stigmatized or criminalized in others (many contemporary societies)
• In some cultures, sexual activity is seen as a private matter (modern Western societies), while in others, it is more openly discussed and celebrated (ancient Hindu culture)
• Sexual practices can be influenced by factors such as religion, economics, and political structures
  • For example, the spread of Christianity and Islam has often led to the suppression of traditional sexual practices and the imposition of new moral codes

Intersectionality and Identity

• Intersectionality is a framework that examines how various aspects of identity (gender, race, class, sexuality, ability) interact and influence an individual's experiences and opportunities
• Kimberlé Crenshaw coined the term "intersectionality" in 1989 to describe the unique experiences of discrimination faced by Black women
• Intersectional analysis recognizes that individuals can simultaneously experience privilege and oppression based on different aspects of their identity
  • For example, a white, cisgender, heterosexual woman may experience gender-based discrimination but benefit from racial and sexual orientation privileges
• Intersectionality highlights the importance of considering multiple, overlapping identities when studying gender and sexuality across cultures
• An intersectional approach can reveal how power structures and inequalities are reproduced and maintained through the intersection of various social categories
• Anthropologists use intersectionality to understand the complex ways in which gender and sexuality intersect with other aspects of identity in shaping individuals' lived experiences
• Intersectionality can also inform anthropological research methods, encouraging researchers to consider their own positionality and the power dynamics at play in their interactions with research participants

Gender, Sexuality, and Power Structures

• Gender and sexuality are intimately connected to power relations and hierarchies within societies
• Patriarchy, a system of male dominance, is prevalent in many cultures and can manifest in various forms (political, economic, social, and religious)
  • Patriarchal structures often limit women's access to resources, decision-making power, and bodily autonomy
• Heteronormativity, the assumption that heterosexuality is the default or "normal" sexual orientation, can lead to the marginalization and oppression of LGBTQ+ individuals
• Sexual violence, including rape, sexual assault, and harassment, is often used as a tool to maintain power hierarchies and control individuals' bodies and sexualities
• Economic inequalities can intersect with gender and sexuality, as women and LGBTQ+ individuals often face discrimination in the workplace and have limited access to resources
• Religious institutions can reinforce gender and sexual norms and contribute to the oppression of women and sexual minorities
  • For example, many religious texts and practices emphasize women's subordination to men and condemn same-sex relationships
• Resistance to oppressive gender and sexual norms can take many forms, including activism, art, and everyday acts of subversion
• Anthropologists study how power structures shape gender and sexual relations and how individuals and communities navigate and challenge these structures

Contemporary Issues and Debates

• The recognition of non-binary and transgender identities has challenged traditional Western conceptions of gender as a binary system
• The legalization of same-sex marriage in many countries has marked a significant shift in attitudes towards LGBTQ+ rights, but discrimination and violence against sexual minorities persist
• The #MeToo movement has brought global attention to the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault, particularly in the workplace
• Debates surrounding the rights of transgender individuals, particularly in relation to bathroom access and participation in sports, have become increasingly prominent
• The intersection of gender, sexuality, and religion continues to be a source of tension and conflict in many societies
  • For example, debates around women's right to abortion often involve religious arguments about the sanctity of life
• The impact of globalization and technology on gender and sexual norms is an emerging area of anthropological research
  • Social media and dating apps have created new spaces for the expression and negotiation of gender and sexual identities
• The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing gender inequalities, as women have disproportionately borne the burden of caregiving and job losses
• Anthropologists are increasingly engaged in applied work, using their research to inform policy and promote social justice in relation to gender and sexuality

Anthropological Research Methods in Gender Studies

• Ethnography, the detailed study of a particular culture through immersive fieldwork, is a key method in anthropological research on gender and sexuality
  • Ethnographers often use participant observation, interviews, and other qualitative methods to gain a deep understanding of a community's gender and sexual norms and practices
• Feminist anthropologists have developed research methods that prioritize the experiences and perspectives of women and other marginalized groups
  • These methods often involve collaborative and participatory approaches, such as co-authorship and community-based research
• Reflexivity, the practice of critically examining one's own positionality and biases as a researcher, is crucial in gender and sexuality studies
  • Anthropologists must be aware of how their own gender, sexual orientation, race, and other identities may shape their interactions with research participants and their interpretations of data
• Comparative analysis, the study of gender and sexuality across different cultures and historical periods, can reveal both similarities and differences in how these concepts are constructed and experienced
• Quantitative methods, such as surveys and statistical analysis, can be used to study patterns and trends in gender and sexual attitudes and behaviors
  • However, feminist anthropologists have critiqued the use of quantitative methods as potentially reductionist and failing to capture the complexity of lived experiences
• Visual anthropology, the use of film, photography, and other visual media in anthropological research, can provide rich insights into gender and sexual expressions and performances
• Anthropologists studying gender and sexuality must be attentive to ethical considerations, such as protecting the privacy and safety of research participants and ensuring informed consent
• Collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches, drawing on insights from fields such as sociology, psychology, and queer studies, can enrich anthropological understandings of gender and sexuality