Chapter 7 A Third Sex? 1. Someone with a natural attitude about gender would agree with all of the following statements, except: _________ a. One’s genitals determine to whom we are attracted. b. Gender is a two-sided, binary, or dichotomous system. c. A person with XXY chromosomes is abnormal. d. People with vaginas may not necessarily be women. Answer: D Rationale: The natural attitude typically aligns with traditional, binary views of gender, which includes associating certain body parts with specific genders. Options A, B, and C adhere to this perspective. However, option D challenges the binary understanding of gender, suggesting that gender identity is not solely determined by genitalia, making it inconsistent with a natural attitude. 2. Of every 1,000 births, an estimated _____ babies are born with anomalous or atypical genitalia—that is, it is difficult to decide if they should be raised as boys or as girls. a. 10 b. 25 c. 50 d. 150 Answer: C Rationale: An estimated 50 babies out of every 1,000 births are born with anomalous or atypical genitalia, making it difficult to assign them to a specific gender at birth. This statistic reflects the prevalence of intersex variations, highlighting the complexity of gender beyond traditional binary classifications. 3. When a baby is born, the parents and those assisting in the delivery assign a gender to a newborn; this is called ___________. a. gender role b. gender attribution c. gender identity d. gender awareness Answer: B Rationale: The act of assigning a gender to a newborn based on external genitalia is referred to as gender attribution. This process is typically performed by parents and healthcare professionals shortly after birth, often without consideration of the individual's gender identity or expression. 4. Which of the following concepts is most useful in explaining people’s relationships to gender cross-culturally? a. dualism b. the natural attitude c. gender continuums d. intersexualism Answer: C Rationale: Gender continuums are the most useful concept for explaining people's relationships to gender cross-culturally. This concept recognizes that gender is not strictly binary but exists on a spectrum, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of gender diversity across different cultures and societies. 5. The term used to describe a person whose gender identity is in accordance with their gender assignation is _________. a. cisgender b. intersexed c. transgender d. naturally gendered Answer: A Rationale: A cisgender person is someone whose gender identity aligns with the gender they were assigned at birth. This term is used to describe individuals who identify with the societal expectations associated with their assigned gender, as opposed to transgender individuals who do not. 6. Which term refers to someone whose gender identity conflicts with their biological sex? a. homosexual b. bisexual c. intersexed d. transsexual Answer: D Rationale: A transsexual is someone whose gender identity does not align with their biological sex assigned at birth. This term specifically refers to individuals who may seek medical interventions, such as hormone therapy or surgery, to align their physical body with their gender identity. 7. Which of the following statements about sexual reassignment surgery is correct? a. All transsexuals eventually undergo sexual reassignment surgery. b. Some transsexual people choose sexual reassignment surgery. c. Sexual reassignment surgery is needed in order to become transsexual. d. This form of surgery only exists in the United States. Answer: B Rationale: Sexual reassignment surgery is a personal choice for transsexual individuals and is not undergone by all. Option B is correct as it acknowledges that some transsexual individuals choose to undergo this surgery as part of their transition, but it's not a universal requirement or experience for all trans individuals. 8. Hijras are _________. a. thousands of men in India who dress and live as women b. thousands of women in India who dress and live as men c. thousands of men and women in India who are confused about what gender they really are d. thousands of men in India who want to be gay Answer: A Rationale: Hijras are often described as a third gender in South Asia, particularly in India, and typically refer to individuals who were assigned male at birth but live and identify as women. Option A accurately describes the social role of Hijras in Indian society. 9. What attitudes and policies do the members of the Intersex Society of North America advocate? a. A reduction in the hormones given to intersexed infants, in favor of surgical intervention. b. Intersexed people—not doctors—should make their own decisions about their bodies. c. An increase in the number of intersexed births, to promote mutual understanding. d. Ambiguous genitalia should be surgically altered to create penises, not vaginas. Answer: B Rationale: The Intersex Society of North America advocates for intersex individuals to have autonomy over their bodies and decisions regarding medical interventions. Option B aligns with their advocacy for intersex people to be empowered to make choices about their own bodies without unnecessary medical interventions. 10. A culture that supports varieties of sexual behavior is called _________. a. promiscuous b. pro-sex c. sex-positive d. hedonistic Answer: C Rationale: A culture that supports and embraces a wide range of sexual behaviors, identities, and expressions is referred to as sex-positive. Option C accurately describes this cultural attitude towards sexuality, which promotes acceptance and inclusivity without judgment. 11. Doctors who treated young John/Joan believed that _________. a. at birth, a child’s sense of a gendered and sexual self is already imprinted in the brain b. the child should be raised as “Joan” because she was born with XY chromosomes. c. nature was more important than nurture in developing one’s gender identity d. healthy psychosexual development depends on how one’s genitals look Answer: D Rationale: Doctors who treated young John/Joan believed that healthy psychosexual development depends on how one’s genitals look. This belief led them to recommend surgical intervention and the assignment of a female gender identity to John, who was born with XY chromosomes but suffered a botched circumcision, resulting in the loss of his penis. The doctors believed that by altering John's genitals and raising him as a girl named Joan, they could ensure his psychosexual development would be healthy and aligned with his assigned gender. 12. Which of the following terms is correctly paired with its associated culture or region? a. hijras/Indonesia b. two-spirits/native North America c. tombois/Suriname d. mati work/India Answer: B Rationale: The correct pairing is b. two-spirits/native North America. Two-spirit is a term used by some Indigenous North American communities to describe individuals who embody both masculine and feminine qualities or roles, often possessing spiritual significance within their cultures. 13. Which of the following statements about hijras is correct? a. Hijras act modestly and pass as women in mainstream Indian society. b. Hijras live in their birth mothers’ households and perform domestic duties for the family. c. Hijras recognize that their inability to bear children distinguishes them from women. d. Hijras wish they could be “real men.” Answer: C Rationale: The correct statement is c. Hijras recognize that their inability to bear children distinguishes them from women. In Indian society, hijras are a distinct social and cultural group often associated with ritual performances and blessings at births and weddings. Their inability to bear children is one of the factors distinguishing them from women within their cultural context. 14. Historians have found that women dressed as men and went to war _______. a. because they wanted to escape unhappy marriages b. in order to remain near their husbands or lovers c. for economic reasons d. all of the above Answer: D Rationale: Historians have found that women dressed as men and went to war for various reasons, including wanting to escape unhappy marriages, to remain near their husbands or lovers, and for economic reasons. All of the options listed (a, b, and c) are valid motivations documented in historical accounts of women's participation in warfare. 15. Which of the following would be an example of gynemimesis? a. a biological male who dresses and acts as a woman b. a biological female who dresses and acts as a man c. tombois and femmes in Indonesia d. women who fought in the American Civil War Answer: A Rationale: Gynemimesis refers to the imitation of women by men. Therefore, a biological male who dresses and acts as a woman would be an example of gynemimesis. 16. What is the problem with the terms “berdache” and “amazon?” a. They reflect Western biases. b. They do not accurately reflect the patterns of gender variation found in Native American communities. c. They are outdated. d. all of the above Answer: D Rationale: The problem with the terms "berdache" and "amazon" is multifaceted. They reflect Western biases, as they were terms coined by Western observers to describe gender roles in Native American cultures. Additionally, they do not accurately reflect the complexity and diversity of gender variation found in Native American communities. Furthermore, these terms are considered outdated and inappropriate by many Indigenous peoples and scholars today. 17. Why do scholars consider the Zuni man-woman to be an example of a third gender? a. They had sex with both men and women. b. Their culture validated them through religious belief, language, and specific role assignments. c. They had ambiguous sex characteristics. d. They were neither male nor female. Answer: B Rationale: Scholars consider the Zuni man-woman to be an example of a third gender because their culture validated them through religious belief, language, and specific role assignments. Within Zuni society, individuals identified as man-women held a distinct social and ceremonial role that was recognized and valued within their cultural context. 18. According to Gone-to-the-Spirits, how did she become a man? a. She had genital reassignment surgery. b. She put on men’s clothing and was transformed. c. White people changed her into a man. d. She successfully hunted a deer and offered it to the spirits. Answer: C Rationale: According to Gone-to-the-Spirits, she became a man because white people changed her into one. This statement reflects historical and cultural narratives among Indigenous peoples where colonial influences, including forced assimilation and cultural erasure, led to the imposition of Western gender norms and identities onto Indigenous individuals. 19. What is mati work? a. a way of earning money by performing sexual services b. a term used to describe having sex with one’s husband in West Africa c. the term used by hijras to refer to their ritual performances d. a Surinamese term referring to sexual relationships between women Answer: D Rationale: Mati work is a Surinamese term referring to sexual relationships between women. This term specifically describes intimate relationships between women in Surinamese culture and is distinct from other forms of labor or ritual practices. 20. Which of the following statements about tombois and femmes is accurate? a. Femmes are attracted to the masculine characteristics of tombois. b. Tombois are considered to be the same as men by their femme lovers and their natal families. c. Tombois are sexually attracted to other tombois; and femmes to femmes. d. Femmes and tombois are both highly androgynous in terms of their mannerisms, dress, and behavior. Answer: A Rationale: The accurate statement is a. Femmes are attracted to the masculine characteristics of tombois. In Indonesian culture, tombois are women who express masculine traits or behaviors, while femmes are women who are attracted to tombois. Therefore, femmes being attracted to the masculine characteristics of tombois aligns with the cultural dynamics observed in Indonesian communities. ESSAY QUESTIONS 1. Imagine someone you know has given birth to a beautiful, healthy, intersexed baby. Given our cultural beliefs, how would your friend react? How would you? Be honest! Answer: My friend's reaction might be influenced by societal norms and expectations surrounding gender and intersexuality. They might initially feel confusion or concern about how to navigate their child's intersex status within a culture that often emphasizes binary gender categories. They may also experience a range of emotions, including acceptance, as they come to terms with their child's unique identity. Personally, I would likely offer my support and encouragement to my friend, acknowledging the complexities of raising an intersex child in a society that tends to emphasize binary gender norms. 2. It is sometimes true that “opposites attract,” but humans have the capacity to be attracted to and identify with many more sociosexual identities than simply male and female. Describe at least three of the potential varieties for identity and desire mentioned in your text. Answer: Three potential varieties for identity and desire beyond the binary of male and female include: a. Bisexuality: Individuals who are attracted to people of both their own gender and other genders. b. Pansexuality: Individuals who are attracted to people regardless of their gender identity or expression. c. Asexuality: Individuals who experience little or no sexual attraction to others, regardless of gender. These identities illustrate the diverse range of human experiences and orientations beyond traditional binary understandings of sexuality. 3. Compare and contrast the man-woman of Zuni society with the hijras of India. Describe the cultural environment in which they live and explain their social roles. Answer:In Zuni society, the man-woman, or lhamana, occupies a unique gender role that combines elements of both masculinity and femininity. Lhamana are often recognized and respected for their spiritual and healing abilities, and they play important roles in Zuni religious ceremonies and social life. They are considered to have special insights and are valued members of the community. On the other hand, hijras in India are a distinct social and cultural group that often occupy marginalized positions in society. Hijras are often transgender individuals who may have been assigned male at birth but identify and live as women, or they may identify outside of the traditional male-female binary altogether. In Indian society, hijras have historically been both revered and ostracized. They often form close-knit communities and have their own social structures, but they also face discrimination and stigma. Despite their differences, both the man-woman of Zuni society and hijras of India challenge traditional understandings of gender and occupy unique social roles within their respective cultural environments. 4. Discuss gender crossing in the United States both historically and today. Have the reasons for gender crossing changed? Do men and women have different reasons for gender crossing? How have the ways people cross gender boundaries changed over time? Give specific details to support your answer. Answer: Historically in the United States, gender crossing has been present but often marginalized or hidden. Examples include individuals assigned female at birth who lived as men to access male privileges or pursue traditionally male occupations, such as soldiers or sailors during the Civil War era. Today, reasons for gender crossing may include gender identity exploration, transitioning to align with one's gender identity, or expressing nonbinary or genderqueer identities. While historically gender crossing may have been motivated by economic or social opportunities, contemporary reasons often center on personal identity and authenticity. Men and women may have different reasons for gender crossing based on societal expectations and norms. For example, women may cross gender boundaries to access maledominated spaces or roles, while men may do so to express femininity or challenge traditional masculinity. Additionally, transgender individuals may cross gender boundaries to align their outward appearance with their internal gender identity, regardless of assigned sex at birth. Over time, the ways people cross gender boundaries have evolved due to shifts in societal attitudes, legal protections, and medical advancements. For example, the transgender rights movement has led to increased visibility and acceptance of transgender individuals, facilitating greater access to gender-affirming healthcare and legal recognition of gender identity. However, challenges such as discrimination and violence against gender nonconforming individuals persist, highlighting ongoing struggles for equality and acceptance. 5. Analyze the concepts of third sex and third gender. Explain how sexual desire, physical characteristics, and cultural expectations factor into sex and gender. Do you think third sex and gender categories clarify human behavior? Why or why not? Answer: The concepts of third sex and third gender challenge the traditional binary understanding of sex and gender by recognizing additional categories beyond male and female. These categories often encompass individuals who do not fit neatly into conventional understandings of sex and gender, whether due to intersex variations, nonbinary gender identities, or culturally specific roles. Sexual desire, physical characteristics, and cultural expectations all play significant roles in shaping concepts of third sex and gender. Sexual desire may be influenced by a person's gender identity, physical characteristics, and cultural context, affecting whom they are attracted to and how they express their sexuality. Physical characteristics, such as intersex variations, may challenge traditional notions of sex and gender, highlighting the diversity of human bodies and experiences. Cultural expectations dictate societal norms surrounding gender roles, expressions, and identities, shaping how individuals navigate their gender identities within a given cultural context. While third sex and gender categories can provide visibility and recognition for individuals who do not conform to traditional binary understandings of sex and gender, they may also oversimplify or essentialize human experiences. Human behavior is complex and multifaceted, influenced by a myriad of factors beyond sex and gender alone. While third sex and gender categories may offer alternative frameworks for understanding human diversity, they may also risk reinforcing existing hierarchies and inequalities if not approached with nuance and sensitivity to individual experiences. Test Bank for A World Full of Women Martha C. Ward, Monica D. Edelstein 9780205957620
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