Oral blanc de préparation à l'épreuve de SES au bac européen
Classe de première ES


Preparation : 20 minutes
Oral exam : 10 minutes, 6-7 minutes to answer the question, and 3-4 minutes for discussion.

Using the document and your knowledge, make a structured answer to the following question, you must use examples studied in class.

Subject :

Explain the differences
between the concepts of sex and gender.
According to you, which one is more relevant?

 

Social construction of gender
Gender is socially constructed rather than genetically programmed. Genes do not determine the way men and women behave or think and genes do not force us into 'masculine' and 'feminine' pigeonholes. Rather, our gender characteristics are shaped by our social and cultural environment. Societies create these gender patterns and transmit them through the process of socialisation. From an early age, people are trained to conform to social expectations of how males and females should behave. For example, parents use different terms of endearment for boys and girls, dress them differently ('blue' and 'pink') and encourage different types of behaviour (boys can be boisterous but girls should be 'sweet'). And these gender differences tend to be reinforced throughout society by media, teachers and peer groups.

Biological determinism
This approach argues that genes ultimately control behaviour, temperament, abilities and social relationships. And since there are marked genetic differences between males and females, this sets tight limits on the cultural roles which they are suited to fill. Some radical feminists seem to share these assomptions, especially when they assert that men are 'naturally' aggressive and women are morally and spiritually superior. But genetic explanations are most commonly associated with socio-biology.

Socio-biology in this approach gender differences are seen as evolutionary adaptations which improve the .survival capacities of the human race. Thus, if men act in a 'masculine' way and women in a 'feminine' way, then they are more likely to survive and pass on their genes to future generations. Over long stretches of time the 'successful' genes will dominate, and these genes will programme people to behave in masculine or feminine ways. Wilson uses this idea to explain differences in sexual behaviour. A man is promiscuous because it is in his own 'selfish' interests to produce as many offspring as possible and thereby ensure the survival of his genetic line. But a woman can produce only a limited number of offspring (because of the nine months gestation period) and therefore she bas a greater individual investment in each of her children. So she takes great care in choosing the father of her child and she is more faithful to him since she depends on his protection.

Male dominance Some biological determinists do not rely on evolutionary arguments. Goldberg, (1979), for example, simply argues that male dominance is found in every known society and therefore must have some biological basis. Goldberg believes that the male hormone, testosterone, interacts with the central nervous system at an early age to create a dominance tendency in men. This dominance is not the result of men's superior abilities (since there is little evidence for this) but derives from their greater determination to achieve power and control.

Sociology in Focus, CPL, Causeway Press, 1998