Question

Explain how biology, culture, and their interaction shape sex differences.

Answer 1

• People often get confused between the terms sex and gender. Sex refers to biological differences between males and females. For example, chromosomes (female XX, male XY), reproductive organs (ovaries, testes), hormones (oestrogen, testosterone).
• Gender refers to the cultural differences expected (by society / culture) of men and women according to their sex. A person’s sex does not change from birth, but their gender can.
• The biological approach suggests there is no distinction between sex & gender, thus biological sex creates gendered behavior. Gender is determined by two biological factors: hormones and chromosomes.
• Hormones are chemical substances secreted by glands throughout the body and carried in the bloodstream. The same sex hormones occur in both men and women, but differ in amounts and in the effect that they have upon different parts of the body.
• Testosterone is a sex hormone, which is more present in males than females, and affects development and behavior both before and after birth.
• Each pair of chromosomes controls different aspects of development, and biological sex is determined by the 23rd chromosome pair. Chromosomes physically resemble the letters X and Y.
• Males = XY
• Females = XX
• The biological factor determines the anatomical differences between a male and a female which kind of determine their personality and behaviour.Men are considered more aggressive than women due to testosterone hormone present in them more.
• The cultural aspect of sex differences determine the gender roles based upon the physical and behavioural differences of males and females.The socialization proces including parents and schools have an effect upon creating these differences.
• Parents are a major influence on children,who bring them up differently leading to gender differences.They determine gender role of a girl by telling her that she needs to be sensiitve and take care of the household,whereas a boy is brought up to be strong and be a breadwinner for the family.
• Even media and advertisements create these gender differences by portraying females and males in a particular way and selling products pertaining to gender.The anatomical differences are highlighted through the culture we all are brought up in.For example,physical features are considered more important for a woman,to always look fit and beautiful.
• Thats how an interaction of biology and culture determine the sex differences leading to differences in gender roles as well,which have created a stereotypical image of how a woman should be and how a man should be.