Ch 8: Gender, Family & Sexuality
About This Chapter
Gender, Family & Sexuality - Chapter Summary
Study these bite-sized lessons at any time to review gender, sexuality and family topics from a sociological perspective. The chapter breaks down important definitions and concepts related to gender roles and views, family lineage, sexual relationships and family challenges. We've included practice quizzes to help you check your understanding of the information, and you can also print out the accompanying lesson transcripts to study offline. Feel free to submit questions to our instructors if you need any clarification. The lesson material is also available at any time of day or night, which allows you to study whenever you have free time. The chapter is designed to help you:
- Compare traditional and current gender roles
- Explain gender roles in sociology's second shift concept
- Differentiate between various sociological gender views
- Know how family lineage is traced through several descent systems
- Assess different types of sexual relationships in society
- Outline some of challenges that families face in modern society

1. Gender Roles in Society: Definition & Overview
Gender roles are the behaviors that society deems 'appropriate' for each gender. Dive deeper into the definition of gender roles, 'traditional' gender roles, how these roles are learned, and changes to gender roles over time.

2. Second Shift in Sociology: Definition & Roles
The second shift in sociology involves the work completed in the workforce and at home as well as the concept of gender roles in the family. Explore more about the second shift, including gender roles origination, role reversals, and traditional versus egalitarian strategies.

3. Gender Views: Margaret Mead, George Murdock and Global Views
In cultures around the world, individuals are expected to behave in certain ways and fulfill certain roles based on gender. Learn about various views on gender by reviewing the perspectives of scholars such as Margaret Mead and George Murdock. Understand global views on gender by exploring Israeli kibbutzim, pre-industrial societies, and New Guinea.

4. Descent Systems: Matrilineal, Patrilineal, Unilateral & Bilateral
The line of descent helps track an individual's hereditary line, and it is generally tracked through one or more of four systems: matrilineal, patrilineal, unilateral, and bilateral. Learn more about the differences between each of these systems, and understand the importance of different ways to measure heritages and the cultural significance of each method.

5. Sexual Relationships in Society: Definitions and Concepts
Each culture has its own socially accepted romantic practices and sexual relationships. Explore many types of relationships among cultures, including some that are considered more or less acceptable in different cultures, learn the definition of nuclear and extended families, discover the concepts of exogamy and endogamy, and discover the different forms of marriage that can exist, including monogamy and different forms of polygamy.

6. Family Challenges: Divorce, Blended Families & Family Violence
Families openly face challenges today that were kept private back in the day. Explore some of the most common problems and challenges facing modern families, including divorce, mixed families, and family violence.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the TECEP Introduction to Sociology: Study Guide & Test Prep course
- Sociology & Sociological Theory
- Research in Sociology
- Culture & Sociology
- Socialization & Interaction
- Social Structure & Control
- Stratification & Social Mobility
- Inequality in Society
- Social Institutions & Power Structures
- Health & Environmental Sociology
- Societal Change Over Time
- TECEP Introduction to Sociology Flashcards