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... Chapter 9 takes on the huge task of dealing with sex, gender, and culture. The authors have divided this into two different topics: sex and gender differences and sexuality
In the first portion they have divided the study further into a look at physique and physiology, gender roles, and personality. Their findings are interesting. Human males and females vary considerably in appearance even though many other animals do not The explanation for this sexual dimorphism is not well understood It could be that these gender differences are the result of both genetics and culture. Furthermore all societies prescribe certain tasks to men and women. This gender differentiation is usually explained by the physical size and strength differences between men and women. A further explanation of these gender patterns would include the compatibility of certain tasks with child rearing practices Males can afford to be more mobile leg, hunting) as they do not have to breast feed children Men contribute more to primary subsistence, in terms of calories, than women. Women however tend to contribute more time to the family if both primary and secondary subsistence patterns are counted together. Primary subsistence is the getting of food, while secondary subsistence is the preparation of food. Men typically are the political leaders and almost exclusively involved in warfare. Further along the authors deal with the relative status of women. Status does not seem to carry over from one activity to another in the absence of formal political systems less complex societies have more opportunities for women to take status positions While Margaret Mead's research showed that the personality traits we call masculine and feminine are not linked to gender, newer studies disagree. In many cross-cultural surveys completed recently it has been found that by as early as age three to six, boys exhibit greater aggression than girls. Less well-documented studies indicate that girls tend to be more nurturing and responsible Sexuality is the topic of the second half of the chapter. All societies have at least some rules for governing sexuality The degree of permissiveness societies allow in sexual behavior is studied in premarital sex, extramarital sex, and sex within marriage. Societies that do not allow sexual expression between children also punish premarital and extramarital sex. Societies that are generally restrictive about heterosexuality are not necessarily restrictive about homosexuality. Societies that forbid abortion and infanticide for married women are likely to be intolerant of male homosexuality. Homosexuality and heterosexuality have to be considered separately when it comes to restrictiveness. This chapter provides many more examples of the restrictions that deal with both homosexuality and heterosexuality
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