Human Nature And Culture Diversity Chapter 1 Summary

Chapter 5 explains how we are influenced by human nature and culture diversity, the likeness and differences between males and females. Additionally, the book also discusses the connections between evolution and gender, and the influence of our culture. Biological factors that are thought to shape gender differences include hormones and lateralization of brain function. Hormones may organize a biological predisposition to be masculine or feminine during the prenatal period, and the increase in hormones during puberty may activate that predisposition. In addition, social experiences may alter the levels of hormones, such as testosterone. However, both within and across different cultures we find great consistency in standards of desirable gender-role behavior. Males are expected to be independent, assertive, and competitive; females are expected to be more passive, sensitive, and supportive. These beliefs have changed little over the past twenty years within the United States and apparently around the world as well. …show more content…
Boys are thought to be stronger and are treated more roughly and played with more actively than girls as early as birth. As children get older, girls are protected more and allowed less autonomy than boys, and girls are not expected to achieve as much in the areas of mathematics and careers as are boys.
Power and control are the real social motives behind the division of sex roles, through the division of labor. Not simply differential socialization, the assertion is that there is no motivation for men to relinquish any of their power and control to women (abortion issues, equal pay issues, child care issues). Confining sex role expectations can restrict personal and family development - don't forget we live in a society that expects women to work (Economy) and expects them to care for kids (Family) and expects them to develop