Gender & Sexuality

Sex roles
 The physical differences between the sexes
 Individual differences bigger than between the
sexes
 Female and male characteristics and hormones in
both sexes
 Individually different levels of hormones, fat,
muscles, height, hair and so on…
 Not all women ovulate and not all men produce
sperms and so on…
 Only one way of dividing people!
Sex roles - common differences
 Women
 Ovulating & Birth giving
 Lactation & Breast-feeding
 Oestrogen, Progesterone, Oxyticin & Follicle
stimulating hormone

 Men
 Producing sperms & Impregnate
 Testosterone
 More facial and body hair growth on average
Gender roles & Gender system
 Socially constructed roles that tells us what is
expected from a woman or a man in a certain
context, time and culture
 Different in different societies and varies over time
 An invisible contract that regulates power and
decision-making
 Sustained and reconstructed by both men and
women
 Have to be changed by BOTH women & men
Gender roles & Gender system
 Key mechanisms in a Patriarchal Gender System
 Keeping the sexes apart
 The man as the “Norm”
 The woman as the “Exception”
 Complementary approach - e.g. weak/strong
 The privileged group are not usually aware of the
privileges until they start to see it as unfair
 Control/punishment between & within the groups
 Referring to religion is common “It is God given!”
Gender roles & Gender system
 The system is leading to
 Inequality in power, rights and opportunities
 Women will demand equal power, rights & opp...
 Men will try to defend their privileges
 Limits both females & males as individuals
 Physical violence & abuse
 Sexual violence & abuse
 Violation of Human Rights

 Human Rights! - not only Men’s Rights!

Sexuality & Gender
 In most cultures sex is seen as something
“natural”, “God given” and/or inherited

 Only for Procreation – not for Recreation

 “Good sex” – normal, like in “meant to be”

and commonly accepted sexual behaviour
Sexuality & Gender
 The man “The Norm”
 Sexual & Active
 Dominating and Decisive
 In control - But uncontrollable
 Fear of weakness
 The woman “The Exception”
 Emotional & Passive
 Submission - needs to be awakened by the man
 Fulfilling others needs and controllable
Key issues to address
 Sexuality and sexual equality & rights
 Deconstructing masculinity & femininity
 Changing expectations on a “real” woman
and a “real” man
 Violence & the glorifying of male violence
 Childcare and household responsibility
 Allocation of power, rights and opportunity
How to do it!
 Involve both men and women
 Honestly reflect on our own behaviours
expectations, upbringing & contributions to
the reconstruction of the unequal system
 Work for change at all levels - personal,
professional, groups and structures
 Allocate resources and look at our policies
 Start with ourselves!