Sex, Gender, and Sexuality
Chapter 11
Sexual Development
Sex
Whether you are physically, biologically male or
female
Gender
All the psychological and social characteristics
associated with being male or female; defined by
one’s gender identity and
learned
gender roles
Transsexual
A person’s physical, biological, sex conflicts with his
or her preferred psychological and social gender
roles
Dimensions of Sex
Genetic sex
XX or XY chromosomes
Hormonal sex
predominance of androgens or estrogens
Gonadal sex
ovaries or testes
Genital sex
clitoris and vagina in females; penis and scrotum in males
Gender identity
one’s subjective sense of being male or female
Genetic Sex
X chromosome
two initiate female development (XX)
Y chromosome
one along with an X produces a male (XY)
Genetic Sex
Klinefelter’s syndrome
boy is born with an extra X
chromosome (XXY); may
appear feminine, have
undersized sex organs, and
be infertile
Turner’s syndrome
girl is born with only 1 X
chromosome (X0); will be
infertile and appear boyish
as an adolescent
Hormonal and Gonadal Sex
•
Gonads: sex glands that affect sexual development
and behavior by secre;ng hormones; female
gonads are the
ovaries
; male gonads are the
testes
–
Estrogens: female hormones
–
Androgens: male hormones
•
Testosterone: one of the androgens, secreted
mainly by the testes; in the absence of
testosterone, the embryo will develop female
reproduc;ve organs and genitals, regardless of
gene;c sex
Hormonal and Gonadal Sex
Intersexual person: ambiguous genital
sexuality; having genitals that suggest both
sexes
Androgen insensitivity syndrome: inherited
disorder; male embryos fail to develop male
genitals because of an unresponsiveness to
testosterone; externally female internally male
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia: genetic
abnormality; adrenals produce excess
androgen, sometimes creating a female child
with ambiguous genitals
Genital Sex
Primary sexual characteristics: sexual and
reproductive organs
Secondary sexual characteristics: features other
than genitals and reproductive organs (breasts,
facial hair, etc.) that appear at puberty
Menarche: onset of menstruation; signals
reproductive maturity
Ovulation: release of ova (eggs) from the ovaries
Menopause: end of monthly menstrual cycles;
usually occurs in one’s late 40s or early 50s
Sexual Orientation
Degree of stable emotional and erotic attraction
to the same sex, opposite sex, or both sexes
Heterosexual: romantically and erotically
attracted to the opposite sex
Homosexual: romantically and erotically
attracted to the same sex
Bisexual: romantically and erotically attracted to
both sexes
Asexual: not romantically or erotically attracted
to either sex
Sexual Orientation
Sexual orientation may be partly hereditary
Prenatal hormonal theory of homosexuality: theory
about hormonal levels during pregnancy
Parenting DOES NOT make children homosexual
Homophobia: prejudice, fear, and dislike directed at
homosexuals
Heterosexism: belief that heterosexuality is better or
more natural than homosexuality
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- Spring '12
- BORIDERI
