Gender Studies Terminology

noun a loud, whistle or a comment of a sexual nature made by a man to a passing woman

verb to make a catcall

• Catcalling is a form of harassment that is not tolerated in the workplace.
• I hate when guys catcall me while I'm walking down the street.
• Some people think catcalling is a way to compliment someone, but it's actually disrespectful.
• The constant catcalls from the audience made the comedian feel like a rockstar on stage.

noun a person displaying aggressive or exaggerated patriotism

adjective relating to or characteristic of extreme patriotism and belief in national superiority

• The board member's chauvinist remarks during the meeting were met with disapproval.
• He's such a chauvinist, always making sexist comments.
• Don't listen to him, he's just a chauvinist pig.
• Her refusal to consider other perspectives made her a chauvinist in the realm of ideas.

adjective showing excessive or prejudiced loyalty or support for a particular group or cause

• The company's policies were criticized for being chauvinistic towards female employees.
• He's so chauvinistic, always assuming he knows better than everyone else.
• I can't stand those chauvinistic jerks who think women belong in the kitchen.
• His chauvinistic attitude towards other cultures is a barrier to building global relationships.

verb to deprive of masculine qualities or characteristics

• The idea that expressing emotions can demasculinize a man is a harmful stereotype.
• Some people believe that showing vulnerability can demasculinize guys.
• Guys shouldn't worry about demasculinizing themselves by being in touch with their feelings.
• The pressure to conform to traditional masculine norms can demasculinize men who don't fit the mold.

adjective having characteristics traditionally associated with women, such as delicacy and prettiness

• The man was often criticized for his effeminate mannerisms in the workplace.
• Some people mistakenly assume that a man who is effeminate must be gay.
• He was teased in school for being effeminate and was called names.
• The delicate lace curtains gave the room an effeminate touch.

verb to deprive of strength, vigor, or spirit; weaken

• The dictator's goal was to emasculate his political opponents by stripping them of their power and influence.
• He felt emasculated when his girlfriend earned more money than him.
• Don't let anyone emasculate you like that, stand up for yourself!
• The new policies seemed to emasculate the company's innovative spirit.

noun a woman or girl

adjective of or relating to the sex that is able to have babies or lay eggs

• The female CEO of the company is known for her strong leadership skills.
• My female friend is throwing a party this weekend, do you want to come?
• That female singer has some serious talent, I can't stop listening to her music.
• The female of the species is often more deadly than the male, as seen in the animal kingdom.

noun a word or form that denotes specifically a female person or thing

adjective pertaining to or characteristic of a woman or women

• The dress she wore was very feminine and elegant.
• She has a very feminine style when it comes to fashion.
• Her outfit is so on point, it's totally feminine.
• The way she gracefully handled the situation was very feminine.

noun a title or form of address for a married woman in German-speaking countries

• Die Frau des Bürgermeisters wird morgen eine Rede halten.
• Hast du schon von der neuen Frau in der Firma gehört?
• Die Frau an der Kasse war echt nett.
• Die Natur ist wie eine Frau, man muss sie mit Respekt behandeln.

noun A person who is interested in looking at or watching girls

• The girl watcher observed the crowd from a distance, taking note of each person's behavior.
• That guy over there is a total girl watcher, always checking out the ladies.
• I heard he's a real creeper, a total girl watcher.
• She had a knack for being a girl watcher, always able to pick up on subtle details about people.

noun a person, typically a woman, who is considered to be sexually promiscuous or immoral

• The gossip about the loose woman in town spread quickly.
• Did you hear about the loose woman who moved in next door?
• That bar is known for attracting a lot of loose women.
• She was labeled a loose woman by society for her unconventional choices.

noun a person of the male sex

adjective of or relating to men or boys

• The male candidate was selected for the leadership position based on his qualifications.
• The male student asked the professor for an extension on his assignment.
• That male bartender at the club was really cute.
• The male lion roared loudly to assert his dominance in the pride.

verb to treat someone as an object, typically by disregarding their feelings or individuality

• It is important not to objectify individuals based on their physical appearance.
• Dude, don't objectify women like that.
• Stop treating her like an object, man.
• The media tends to objectify celebrities, reducing them to mere objects for public consumption.

noun a prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or control

• The government's policies have been criticized for perpetuating oppression against minority groups.
• It's not right how they're treating people, it's like they're just adding to the oppression.
• The system is straight up oppressing us, it's not fair at all.
• The weight of oppression felt like a heavy burden on their shoulders, suffocating their spirits.

adjective relating to or characteristic of a system of society or government controlled by men

• The patriarchal society placed men in positions of power and authority.
• I don't like how patriarchal my workplace is, always favoring the male employees.
• The whole system is so patriarchal, it's like they don't even care about equality.
• The patriarchal mindset is like a heavy weight holding back progress towards gender equality.

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun, in this case, 'unfeminine' describes something that is not traditionally feminine or characteristic of a woman

• Many people mistakenly believe that being strong and assertive is unfeminine.
• She thinks wearing sneakers with a dress is unfeminine, but I think it's cool.
• Some guys think playing sports is unfeminine, but they're just insecure.
• The decision to prioritize work over family was seen as unfeminine by traditional standards.

noun the quality of having strength, energy, and a strong sex drive; manliness

• The doctor explained that certain medications can affect a man's virility.
• My grandfather believes that eating oysters increases virility.
• Some guys think that wearing a leather jacket gives them more virility.
• The artist's painting exuded a sense of virility and strength.

noun a noun is a person, place, thing, or idea. In this case, 'white' can also be considered a noun when referring to a person of European descent.

adjective an adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun. In this case, 'white' is an adjective describing the type of slavery being discussed.

• The international community is working together to combat the issue of white slavery.
• Have you heard about the recent cases of white slavery in the news?
• It's crazy how some people still think white slavery doesn't exist.
• Being trapped in a toxic relationship can feel like a form of white slavery.

adjective relating to or focusing on men, particularly in terms of power or importance

• The society was criticized for its androcentric views that marginalized women.
• Some people still hold onto androcentric beliefs that men are superior to women.
• It's ridiculous how androcentric some guys can be, thinking they're better than everyone else.
• The company's leadership was an androcentric fortress, with no room for women to rise up.

noun a cultural or societal focus on men and male perspectives, often to the exclusion or detriment of women and female perspectives

• Androcentrism is the belief that male perspectives and experiences are central to society.
• Androcentrism often leads to the marginalization of women's voices and perspectives.
• Androcentrism is so outdated, it's time to recognize the value of all genders.
• Androcentrism is like wearing blinders that only allow you to see the world from a male perspective.

noun a person who advocates for the rights and interests of men, often in the context of gender equality

adjective relating to or characteristic of masculism or masculists

• The masculist movement advocates for the rights and interests of men in society.
• Some people think being a masculist means hating women, but that's not true.
• He's always going on about being a masculist, but I think he just likes to argue.
• In the battle of the sexes, the masculist is often seen as the underdog fighting against stereotypes and discrimination.

noun a belief in or advocacy of the rights or needs of men, especially in terms of their roles in society

• Masculism is a movement that advocates for the rights and interests of men.
• Some people believe that masculism is necessary to address issues facing men in society.
• I heard some guys talking about masculism and how it's all about men's rights.
• In the battle for gender equality, masculism plays a role in advocating for men's issues.

noun the fondness or love for men

• The study of philandry in different cultures reveals interesting patterns of behavior.
• She accused him of philandry after discovering his numerous affairs.
• I heard she's into philandry, always flirting with different guys.
• His philandry towards different hobbies makes it hard for him to commit to just one.

noun a type of labor that involves managing and regulating emotions in order to fulfill the emotional requirements of a job

• Many customer service representatives are required to perform emotional labour as part of their job.
• I have to do a lot of emotional labour dealing with difficult clients at work.
• Dealing with Karen's complaints all day is such a drag, it's like emotional labor overload.
• Managing relationships often involves a lot of emotional labour to maintain harmony and understanding.

verb to make something sexual in a way that is excessive or inappropriate

• It is important for media outlets to avoid oversexualizing young female celebrities.
• I think some magazines tend to oversexualize celebrities just to sell more copies.
• The way they oversexualize female athletes in those ads is just ridiculous.
• Some movies tend to oversexualize certain characters to appeal to a specific audience.

adjective describing a language, policy, or practice that includes all genders and avoids discrimination based on gender

preposition used before a noun to indicate inclusivity of all genders

• The company has implemented gender-inclusive policies to ensure equal opportunities for all employees.
• Let's make sure the event is gender-inclusive so everyone feels welcome to participate.
• I love that this clothing brand is all about being gender-inclusive, it's so cool!
• In order to create a truly gender-inclusive society, we must challenge traditional norms and stereotypes.

noun a fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing

• Gender stereotypes can have a negative impact on society by limiting opportunities for individuals based on their gender.
• It's frustrating how gender stereotypes can affect how people are treated in everyday situations.
• Gender stereotypes are so outdated and need to be thrown out the window.
• Breaking free from gender stereotypes is like breaking down a barrier to true equality.

noun a widely held but oversimplified and generalized belief about the typical characteristics of men and women

• Gender stereotyping perpetuates harmful societal norms and expectations based on traditional gender roles.
• Gender stereotyping can limit people's opportunities and choices based on outdated ideas about what men and women should do.
• Gender stereotyping is so played out, like can we just let people be who they are without all the labels?
• Gender stereotyping is like trying to fit everyone into a tiny box, ignoring the vast diversity of human experiences.

adjective possessive adjective used to indicate that something belongs to both him and her

• The professor commended hisher dedication to the research project.
• I heard hisher presentation was really impressive.
• Did you see hisher new ride? It's sick!
• Hisher words were like a soothing balm to my troubled mind.

noun Violence Against Women (VAW) refers to any act of gender-based violence that results in physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women.

• Violence against women (VAW) is a serious human rights violation that must be addressed by society.
• VAW is never okay and should never be tolerated.
• Any guy who commits VAW is a total loser.
• VAW is like a dark cloud hanging over our society, affecting everyone in its path.

noun a slang term for a man who works in the technology industry, often associated with certain stereotypical behaviors or attitudes

• The tech bro presented his latest startup idea at the conference.
• That tech bro is always talking about the latest gadgets and apps.
• I can't stand those tech bros who think they know everything about technology.
• He may come off as a tech bro, but deep down he's just a passionate entrepreneur.

noun the communication differences between men and women

• The study of genderlect explores the differences in language use between men and women.
• I noticed some genderlect differences when chatting with my friends at the party.
• It's crazy how much genderlect can affect communication between guys and girls.
• The genderlect barrier can sometimes make it challenging to fully understand each other's perspectives.

noun a set of attitudes and behaviors that are harmful or restrictive to men and society as a whole, often characterized by aggression, dominance, and the suppression of emotions

• Toxic masculinity is a term used to describe harmful behaviors and attitudes associated with traditional masculinity.
• Some people believe that toxic masculinity can be harmful to men's mental health.
• Guys who exhibit toxic masculinity are often referred to as 'manly men'.
• The roots of toxic masculinity run deep in our society, affecting both men and women.

noun a political approach wherein people form alliances based on shared identity characteristics such as race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion

• The discussion on identity politics in academia is complex and multifaceted.
• Some people get really passionate when talking about identity politics.
• Identity politics can be a touchy subject for some folks.
• In the realm of identity politics, everyone is trying to find where they fit in the puzzle of society.

noun a term used to describe a man who is easily offended or upset by progressive attitudes or beliefs, typically associated with toxic masculinity

• The speaker was interrupted by a broflake who couldn't handle differing opinions.
• That broflake got so triggered over a harmless joke.
• Don't be such a broflake, learn to take a joke.
• His fragile ego made him a broflake in social situations.

noun a term used to describe the act of a woman sitting with her legs wide apart in a public space, similar to the concept of manspreading

• The issue of womanspreading has sparked debates on gender equality in public spaces.
• I saw a woman womanspreading on the train yesterday and it looked so comfortable.
• Stop womanspreading, you're taking up too much space!
• Her confidence was like womanspreading, unapologetically taking up space in the room.

noun a person who is more comfortable socializing with individuals of the opposite gender

adjective relating to or characterized by social interaction between individuals of different genders

• The workplace is often a heterosocial environment with a mix of male and female colleagues.
• I enjoy heterosocial gatherings because I get to meet new people from different backgrounds.
• I'm not a fan of heterosocial events, I prefer hanging out with my own group of friends.
• In a heterosocial setting, it's important to be open-minded and respectful towards people of all genders.

noun A derogatory slang term for a man who is perceived as weak, submissive, or effeminate, especially in a relationship.

• The term 'cuck' is often used in online forums to insult someone's masculinity.
• I can't believe he let his girlfriend cheat on him, what a cuck.
• Bro, don't be such a cuck and stand up for yourself.
• In politics, some people use the term 'cuck' to describe a leader who they feel is weak or submissive.

noun a reaction of shock or outrage, typically exaggerated or feigned

• The society ladies engaged in pearl clutching when they heard the scandalous news.
• She couldn't help but do some pearl clutching when she saw his outrageous outfit.
• The pearl clutching was real when she found out her ex was dating her friend.
• His pearl clutching reaction to the horror movie was quite entertaining.

noun a term used to describe the act of making someone feel ashamed or guilty for their perceived sexual behavior or appearance

• Slut-shaming is a form of bullying and harassment based on a person's perceived sexual behavior.
• I can't believe she's still slut-shaming her classmates, it's so mean.
• Stop slut-shaming, it's not cool at all.
• Her constant slut-shaming of others reveals her own insecurities and lack of empathy.

noun a Turkish word meaning 'bay' or 'Mr.' used as a title of respect for men

• The bayan is a traditional Russian accordion instrument.
• Let's go listen to some bayan music at the cultural festival.
• I love jamming out on the bayan with my band.
• Her storytelling was like playing a beautiful melody on a bayan.

noun a person who does not identify with any gender

adjective relating to or characteristic of a person who does not identify with any gender

• The agender individual prefers not to conform to any specific gender identity.
• My friend who is agender doesn't feel comfortable being labeled as male or female.
• I heard that person is agender, they don't care about gender norms at all.
• Being agender is like being a blank canvas, free from societal expectations of gender.

noun a compound word formed by combining 'man' and 'spread', typically used to describe the act of a man sitting with his legs wide apart in a way that invades the space of others

• The man on the bus was criticized for his tendency to manspread, taking up more than one seat.
• Dude, can you please stop manspreading and give me some space on this bench?
• I can't stand when guys manspread on the subway, it's so annoying.
• His ego was so big, it felt like he was manspreading in the room, taking up all the attention.

noun the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender as they apply to a given individual or group, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage.

• The concept of intersectionality examines how various social categories like race, gender, and class intersect and influence one's experiences and opportunities.
• Intersectionality is about how different aspects of a person's identity can overlap and impact their life.
• Intersectionality is like when all the different parts of who you are come together to shape your perspective.
• Just like roads crossing at an intersection, intersectionality shows how different factors intersect in shaping an individual's identity.

noun a person whose gender identity corresponds with their birth sex

• The term 'cissexual' is used to describe individuals whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth.
• I recently learned about the concept of cissexual and it helped me better understand gender identity.
• Some people mistakenly assume that being cissexual is the 'default' gender experience.
• In a world that often privileges cissexual individuals, it's important to recognize and validate diverse gender identities.

noun a concept or policy that promotes the idea that all genders should be treated equally and without discrimination

adjective describing something that is neutral or unbiased in terms of gender

• The company is committed to promoting gender neutrality in the workplace.
• Let's all work together to create a culture of gender neutrality.
• Gender neutrality is all about treating everyone the same, no matter what.
• In the world of fashion, gender neutrality is becoming more and more popular.

noun a term used to describe a female who is not bound by traditional gender roles or expectations

• The term 'freemale' is used to describe a man who is not married.
• My friend John is a freemale, he enjoys his bachelor lifestyle.
• Some people refer to eligible bachelors as freemales.
• In the world of birds, the freemale is responsible for building the nest.