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1、Unit 3 Gender DifferencesUseful Information“Gender differences” is a term used to refer to both biological and social characteristics that distinguish men and women. The social characteristics include such things as differences in hair styles, clothing, family responsibilities, occupational roles, a
2、cceptable behavior and other culturally learned activities and traits. All of these differences are linked to the non-biological notions of masculinity and femininity which vary from one culture to another. Sexual or physical differences are determined at birth. Females have two similar sex-determin
3、ing chromosomes (XX), while males have two dissimilar sex-determining chromosomes (XY). Both sexes have male and female hormones, but the average man has about ten times as much testosterone as the average woman. Most scientists agree that these biological differences affect, at least to some extent
4、, physical behavior and development. In other words, in most cultures men are bigger, stronger and more aggressive than women. Obviously, physical activity and social roles accentuate these biological differences. Heavy labor builds muscles and the responsibility of providing for a family reinforces
5、 the natural aggression of men in any society. The child-raising activities of women, on the other hand, reinforce their gentle and nurturant behavior. However we do recognize that women are capable of highly muscled bodies, as is evident in some women athletes. Many of the traditional stereotypes a
6、ssociated with women were questioned by the feminist movement that began in the West in the early 1960s. This movement (also known as the womens liberation movement) favored increased rights and activities for women throughout society. Feminists stressed that it was not primarily biology that determ
7、ined womens roles and status in society, but social prejudices. According to the feminists, women were usually socialized and educated differently from men because it was assumed that women were physically and intellectually inferior. The theories and analyses that came out of the womens movement sp
8、arked innumerable studies on educational and employment practices. These studies revealed the sexist biases (prejudice or discrimination on the basis of sex) of teachers, employers, schools, universities, textbooks, laws, and other official documents. It was shown that the way girls are treated in t
9、he home and in school plays a major role in reinforcing stereotypes. It was demonstrated that if treated similarly, boys and girls have the same potential and can accomplish similar goals. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, efforts were made to reduce sexist attitudes in educational systems and in the
10、workplace. Girls were encouraged to study medicine, law, mathematics, engineering, etc. and to follow careers normally associated with men. Laws were passed prohibiting sexist discrimination in hiring practices in order to give women equal job opportunities. The impact of the feminist movement was f
11、elt even at the level of everyday language. Since the 1960s, the English language has evolved considerably in order to be more inclusive of women. New words have been invented and pronouns are used differently. Virtually every grammar book published since the late 1970s has a section on avoiding sex
12、ist language and sexist pronoun use. Various ways are now used to avoid inequality of the sexes, such as: 1) A person should insist that his/her rights be respected; 2) People should see that their employer treats all employees equally; 3) Everyone received their share of food; 4) The chairperson of
13、 the department insisted on nonsexist language in all publications. Despite social reforms and changing attitudes, there are still many unanswered questions regarding gender differences. Do women feel compelled to act more like men in order to overcome stereotypes? Can or should men and women ever b
14、e truly equal in any society?Part One PREPARATION1. How is it possible?STEP ONE1) when 2) control 3) crashes/smashes/runs/bumps 4) hospital5) doctor/surgeon 6) operateSTEP TWOYes. The doctor is the boys mother.2. Differences between Men and WomenSTEP ONEMEN WOMENsuffer more illnesses _have a higher rate of colorblindness _have a larger brain _are more likely to have a heart attack _have more fears _live longer _like diamond shapes _miss more work
