Chapter Ten: Gender

Gender

Gender, not to be confused with sex, is the behavioral characteristics a society gives to males and females. Gender identity begins at birth and continues throughout life. Gender is culturally learned through social expectations and behaviors.


Patriarchy

Patriarchy is a social system where males are the primary authoritative role and hold the central role in areas like politics, families, organizations, economic and legals systems. Patriarchs have privilege, rule and dominate over women and children. Cultural, and not biological reasons, are seen as predominant reason for the establishment as a patriarchal society.


Life Expectancy

Life expectancy is how long an infant is expected to live in a society. It is determined by one social status, eating behaviors, healthcare, wealth, geography, and gender. Currently in the United States, life expectancy for females is 81.1 years and males 76.3 years, creating a gap of five years. There are great differences in life expectancy around the world due to access to healthcare, diet, and poverty and disease.

Age Cohorts

Age cohorts are a group of people born at similar times that share similar life experiences. They are often people that we compare ourselves to in life. A good example of age cohorts is the use of Facebook and other social media sites. We use it to match our lives and our progress to others our age.