Abstract
This paper explains that one of the most important theories posed by gender identity scholars is that the distinction of two sexes, male and female as well as the distinction of two genders, man and woman, is questionable. It points out that the existence of hermaphrodites and other bodies of indeterminate gender calls into question the bifurcation of gender, as well as the division of "sex" into male and female categories. The writer also discusses how gender roles tend to be solidified fairly stringently in our culture along lines of male and female alone.

From the Paper
"Sex is a biological given. Some animal species have one sex, some have two, and some have more than two. This is interesting to scientists perhaps, in terms of its physical construction. However, gender is what culture "does" with these distinctions of physiology. Gender is how culture interprets the apparent biological differences between particular human bodies of different sexual anatomy. What does it mean, for instance, that a certain body may be capable of giving birth later in life, and another body may not? It is here, in the distinctions between bodies observed and imposed by our culture, where sociologists and theorists of gender identity find their theoretical interests aroused, poised for deconstructive action."

Tags:sex, male, female, man, woman

Abstract
The paper discusses gender theory regarding the denial of lesbianism in phallocratic society as described by Marilyn Frye. The paper argues that denial of the existence of lesbians protects males from scrutiny. The paper's argument is based on "To Be and be Seen: The Politics of Reality."

From the Paper
"Marilyn Frye begins her analysis of gender theory by citing a statement by Sarah Hoagland who argued that there is no such thing as a lesbian. This puts a lesbian in the interesting and peculiar position of being something that doesn't exist and this position is a singular vantage point with respect to the reality which does not include her. From Frye's perspective, Hoagland's portrait indicates that..."

Tags:Marilyn Frye, gender theory, lesbianism, phallocratic society

Abstract
This paper discusses the development of gender theory by reflecting on the underlying nature of cultural thinking that both assures and enforces secondary status for women. The author points out that the two major and opposing modern theories employed to explain the reasons for the universal devaluation of women are based either on biological determinism or on social and cultural factors. The paper relates that one of the roles that women perform is to act as the converting agency between nature and culture by the socialization of children. The paper includes some long quotations.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Gendering the Sexes
Nature and Culture
Sex is to Gender as Nature is to Culture

From the Paper
"The culture/nature association is in itself a product of culture, as are all contemporary thoughts and ideas, with women being delegated to an inferior role within society due to her apparent dependency on the male, which is brought about through her ability to procreate. Born within their perspective cultures, the majority of women reflect their surrounding environment, and normally accept its given values and customs - although there is some debate as to the reasons for this. De Beauvoir, quite rightly, points out "that in her heart of hearts she finds confirmation of the masculine pretensions" while accepting her "misfortune"."

Tags:kinship, status, culture, nature, biology

Abstract
This paper discusses serial killers, specifically the roles of gender in determining serial killers. It looks at some of the theories of what drives serial killers and suggests that many of the theories are based on male case studies that often do not hold true for female serial killers. It also presents a study in the form of a survey to illustrates its hypothesis.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Hypothesis
Participants
Method

From the Paper
"The idea that all serial killers are driven by sexual fantasies has been challenged by some theorists, who suggest that these murders are less defined by sex -- even when it plays a functional role in their execution -- and more driven by some other psychological aspect, such as the desire for power or status. (It is somewhat ironic that theorists have traditionally argued that rape is always about power, rather than sex, but that serial murder is always about sex) According to Buss, serial killers may actually be motivated by status. Serial killers, in this idea, are seeking revenge on the world for denying them the status they feel they have earned, while mass murderers are attempting to gain or maintain status by killing those who threaten it. This might be applied both to sadistic sexual murders and to what might be called "feminine" murders of intimate associates."

Tags:murders, criminal, psychiatric

Abstract
This paper discusses gender theories and the way in which gender attitudes begin at birth and are constantly reconstructed by societal expectations. The paper discusses the possibility of changing gender attitudes, however concedes that society would need to be restructured without these beliefs, and that that is highly unlikely.

From the Paper
"Gender and Society Society has created a world in which people consider gender foremost in their lives. Judith Lorber contends that in every element of the social order society constructs expectations for people based on gender beliefs, and that without thought society conforms to these ideas, creating a continuous cycle of a world that is based on gender theories (13). Parents begin the cycle of gender attitudes that are the product of societal thought. While these gender beliefs may be varied depending on the country that has created them, they remain with men and women throughout the duration of their lives. Many contend that changing gender attitudes can be accomplished within the social order, and yet, these same theorists acknowledge that in order to change gender beliefs society would have to be restructured without gender ideas to alter the foundation that currently exists in life."

Tags:gender, society, equality

Abstract
This paper explores how man defines himself in terms of gender. Several theories of gender identification are presented, each within its own particular field. The author gives examples of the biological basis of gender, the psychological basis, cultural perspectives, and socially constructed theories. Additionally, the main character from "Six Degrees of Separation" is used as an example of gender identity through social constructs. The paper concludes that gender is continuously defined through a lifetime of experiences.

Outline

Biological Arguments Gender
Psychological Theories of Gender
Cross Cultural Perspective and Gender Identity
Socially Constructed Gender Theories and Gender as a Social Institution
Six Degrees of Separation

From the Paper
"Kimmel suggests that gender is not something that someone is born with but rather is a social institution that people create as a result of interaction, beliefs and values. Gender is an institution that people either widely accept as one way or another. Within any given society there are cultural norms that people identify with and that help shape their behaviors, values and beliefs. Gender differences thus can be easily created as an institution and can be representative of inequality when that inequality is supported or constructed by society at large (Kimmel, 2000). Kimmel suggests that inequalities are created as norms and arise within relationships, within families and even in the workplace or any other environment in which people work intimately (Kimmel, 2000). "

Tags:sexual, identity, Kimmel, personality

Abstract
In this article, the writer first notes that sociological and criminological theories may be separated into two distinguishably different areas, those of conflict theories and consensus theories. The writer notes the existence of conflict within society and within conflict theories. The writer discusses gender-based issues and theories within crime.

From the Paper
In the broadest sense, sociological and criminological theories tend to fall into two very different camps: conflict theories and consensus theories. Criminological conflict theories emphasize the political nature of crime, and view society as being based on conflict, as opposed to consensus. Conflict theories posit the existence of two or more groups in conflict, such as two different classes, or many different groups vying to achieve their own ends. An appearance of consensus is created by using laws to enforce consensus, by for example enforcing the law. On the other hand, consensus theory focuses on the stability of society, and sees the

Tags:criminology, gender, conflict

Abstract
In this article, the writer looks at the topic of crime according to gender based factors. The writer questions why the relationship of gender to crime has been widely overlooked. The writer maintains that past inattention to the issue has been somewhat redressed in recent times based on a growing number of gender-based theories of criminal behavior.

From the Paper
"The lack of theoretical investigation into gender-based schemas of crime has been noted by contemporary criminologists. This is strange, given that gender is clearly a notable factor in criminal and delinquent behavior: only 7 percent of prison inmates and 11 percent of jail inmates are female, and women comprise only 14% of sworn officers in large police departments. So why is gender and its relationship to crime so often overlooked in academic circles?"

Tags:gender, crime, theory

Abstract
This paper reports the diagnostic criteria and typical course of gender identity disorder including the theories of this disorder and the etiology and prevalence of this disorder. Evidence-based treatments found to be most effective are also reported as well as a consensus and controversies of the disorder in this field of study.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Clinical Diagnosis
Cause and Prevalence of GID
Controversies in the Field
Evidence-Based Therapies
Summary and Conclusion

From the Paper
"The work of Duncan Osborne entitled: "Voices- Identity Crisis" relates the condition and the controversies very well in a story that tells of a five-year-old boy whom he treated. Later the child was treated as an adult. Osborne relates that generally these children who have been diagnosed with gender identity disorder grow up to be homosexual. Osborne reports a study conducted in the early 1980's by Green who finds that, among 44 such boys with gender identity disorder that: "...75% were either gay or bisexual and one wanted sex reassignment.""
According to Osborne, Psychologist Kenneth J. Zucker, head of Toronto's Child and Adolescent Gender Identity Service at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, is a "leading GID expert who has seen roughly 625 children or adolescents since 1978." (2003) According to Osborne, Zucker states that: "The majority of kids will have resolved their gender dysphoria and identify themselves as gay. We're also going to find that around 15% have a significant gender dysphoria that has persisted into adolescence and young adulthood to the point where they are wanting sex reassignment. If we add on to that a small minority of kids who report being heterosexual, we're seeing a real range of outcomes." (Osborne, 2

Tags:theories, assigned sex, cross-sex roles, mood disorders, surgery

Abstract
This article studies the works of Judith Butler and George Mosse in order to discuss a definition of gender and masculinity. The writer discusses that Butler has controversial theories about gender roles and the need to discard current concepts of sex and gender. In this paper, the writer looks at her views of feminist theory. The writer explains how Mosse looks at the development of masculinity from the mid-1800s.

From the Paper
"Judith Butler considers herself primarily committed to feminist theory and believes that gender comes from performativity. She distinguishes performativity from performance by explaining that the former presumes a subject but the latter does not accept the idea of a subject. Butler does not believe in distinctions between male and female but rather that they are based on performativity. For instance she does not see such factors as the ability to become pregnant, as being necessary to define a woman. She points out that there are females very young ... "

Tags:gender, performativity, masculine, feminine