Question 1

According to Judith Lorber in 'Night to His Day: The Social Construction of Gender,' what does it mean to say that gender is a social institution?

Accepted Answer

Gender is a process of creating distinguishable social statuses for the assignment of rights and responsibilities.

Question 2

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of 'doing gender' as described by Lorber?

Accepted Answer

A woman choosing to wear a dress to a formal event because it is expected of her gender.

Question 3

Lorber argues that for individuals, gender means sameness. What does this mean in practice?

Accepted Answer

Individuals are expected to conform to the behaviors and appearances typical of their gender category.

Question 4

How does Lorber describe the relationship between gender and social stratification?

Accepted Answer

Gender is a primary way of organizing social inequality.

Question 5

Which of the following scenarios best demonstrates gender as a process?

Accepted Answer

People interact with each other based on expectations of masculinity and femininity, reinforcing those norms.

Question 6

According to Lorber, what is the main function of gender in society?

Accepted Answer

To create and maintain social order by differentiating people into categories.

Question 7

Which of the following is an example of gender stratification?

Accepted Answer

Women being paid less than men for the same work.

Question 8

Lorber discusses the concept of 'gender bending.' What does this term refer to?

Accepted Answer

Challenging or crossing traditional gender boundaries through behavior or appearance.

Question 9

How does Lorber differentiate between sex and gender?

Accepted Answer

Sex refers to biological differences, while gender refers to social and cultural meanings attached to those differences.

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the 'gendered division of labor' as discussed by Lorber?

Accepted Answer

Certain jobs are considered appropriate for men and others for women, often leading to unequal pay and status.

Question 11

According to Lorber, what role do institutions play in the construction of gender?

Accepted Answer

Institutions such as family, education, and religion reinforce and legitimize gender differences.

Question 12

Which of the following statements best reflects Lorber’s argument about the persistence of gender inequality?

Accepted Answer

Gender inequality is maintained through social processes and institutional practices.

Question 13

Lorber describes gender as a 'stratification system.' What does this mean?

Accepted Answer

Gender is a way of organizing people into hierarchical categories with unequal access to resources and power.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the social construction of gender, according to Lorber?

Accepted Answer

Gender is fixed and unchangeable due to biology.

Question 15

How does Lorber explain the enforcement of gender norms in everyday life?

Accepted Answer

Through informal social sanctions such as ridicule, exclusion, or disapproval.

Question 16

Which of the following best exemplifies the concept of 'gender as structure'?

Accepted Answer

Gender organizes social life by distributing resources, power, and privilege unequally.

Question 17

Lorber discusses the idea that gender differences are often perceived as natural. What does she argue is the reality?

Accepted Answer

Gender differences are produced and maintained by social processes.

Question 18

Which of the following is a real-world example of the social construction of gender?

Accepted Answer

Assigning pink clothing to girls and blue clothing to boys.

Question 19

According to Lorber, what is the effect of gender on access to resources and opportunities?

Accepted Answer

Gender often determines who has access to power, privilege, and resources in society.

Question 20

Which of the following best summarizes Lorber’s main argument in 'Night to His Day'?

Accepted Answer

Gender is a social construct that organizes society and creates inequality.

The Social Construction of Gender and Sexuality

Study Guide - Practice Questions