Title: The Sociology of Gender: Overview
Headings: The Sociology of Gender: Overview
The Sociology of Gender: Overview
Table of Contents
Sex/Gender Distinction
Social Construction of Gender
Masculinity and Femininity
Critiquing the Sex/Gender Binary
Queer Theory
Transgender
Intersectionality
Major Sociological Theories
Structural Functionalism
Conflict Theory
Feminist Theory
Symbolic Interactionism
About Astha Nain

Content: Thus fourth-wave feminism is increasingly questioning the sex/gender binary. Queer Theory
Once the term queer was associated with homosexuals and had a strong homophobic undertone. But the term has been reclaimed by the LGBTQIA+ movement to refer to all individuals whose sexuality, gender identity, gender expression and bodies do not conform to dominant societal norms. Both feminism and queer theory are interdisciplinary studies that question the dominant understanding of gender by problematizing the relationship that exists between gender identity, anatomical sex and sexual orientation (Fineman, 2009). The queer movement worldwide has been arguing for gender fluidity and non-binary sexes to create a more inclusive, non-heteronormative world. Transgender
The gender binary between male and female is a modern concept propagated by western science and imposed upon non-western cultures through colonization. Many cultures in pre colonized era not only recognized other genders but also deeply respected them. Gender fluidity is still the norm in many African cultures. Here we look at two such communities. The Hijra community in India consisting of eunuchs, intersex and transgender people was recognized as the third gender along with the rest of the transgender community.