Question

Cultural variation in gender indicates which of the following?

a. labeling gender variations as functional or dysfunctional depends on culturally relative context they
b. alternative genders the intended tad status and role functioning for people are largely dysfunctional from culturally relative perspective c. sex differences along with gender differentiations culturally make for new status inconsistency, role strain or a role conflict of the above

Answer 1

Cultural variation in gender indicates that gender roles are culturally relative and learned, with different societies exhibiting a variety of gender systems that reflect diverse expressions of gender and sexuality.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cultural variation in gender indicates that labeling gender variations as functional or dysfunctional is dependent on the culturally relative context. This suggests that what is considered appropriate for gender roles in one culture may be viewed entirely differently in another.

Cultural roles of gender assign behaviors and responsibilities differently among people of various genders, showing that these roles are learned and subject to change across cultures and time. The idea that gender is a social construct rather than a purely biological one is further supported by the existence of multiple gender systems in various societies, which accommodate complexities of human sex, gender, and sexuality.

The cultural roles of gender demonstrate a system of power, with certain activities and behaviors considered more authoritative or dominant. This view is contrasted with the rigid two-gender system traditionally inherited in European and Euro-American societies, where deviations from assigned gender identities are often stigmatized.

Meanwhile, many non-European cultures provide examples of alternative genders and more flexible roles, inspiring movements pressing for greater gender flexibility. The study of these roles is crucial for understanding the economic function within families, where a division of labor often sees men and women assuming different roles, that are labeled as instrumental and expressive, respectively.

Cultural anthropologists, like Serena Nanda, have studied these variant-gender categories in societies worldwide, leading to an acknowledgment of the common cultural need to accommodate diverse expressions of gender and sexuality.

This diverse expression further enforces the idea that cultural interpretations—and not just biological determinants—shape gender identity and roles. Gender categories can, therefore, be seen as part of culture, not as natural but 'naturalized'—or made to appear natural—by cultural influences.