Explain what is meant by cultural construction of gender and illustrate it with specific examples from the US.

Instructions: Based on this week’s course material, and where appropriate drawing on your personal experience, answer any five of the following questions.

Expect length of response:  300-500 words (about one full page)/question

Total assignment value: 10 points (each question is worth 2 points).  

1. Explain what is meant by cultural construction of gender and illustrate it with specific examples from the US.

2. Compare or contrast gender stratification in two different cultural contexts (e.g., matriarchal vs. patriarchal society; foraging vs. industrial society; Western vs. non-Western, etc.)

3. After carefully reviewing gendered division of labor discussed in this week’s course material, explain how your experience with gender (e.g. enculturation, assignment of roles or tasks at home, gendered expectations, etc.) compares or contrasts with what is described in the course textbook and other course materials.

4. Explain in what ways (or how) the views or patterns of sexual orientation are changing in the US. Give at least two examples of what is changing or what has actually changed.

5. Define intersectionality and by using specific example(s), illustrate how a combination of gender, sexual orientation and other aspects of diversity discussed thus far in this course affects a person’s life in the US.

6. Explain the role played by movements such as the feminist movement or the LGBT movement in changing American ideals, values and behavior pertaining to gender and/or sexual orientation.