Ch 8: Gender Flashcards
sex
anatomical or biological differences between males and females that originate in genes
gender
a social concept linked to norms, roles, and behaviors assosciated with being male or female
structural functionalist
assumes that gender differences exist as a necessity to fulfill different functions in society
Talcott Parsons and sex role theory
men and women have different complementary roles
factory of personalities
women as mothers, wives, caregivers and men as breadwinners. change of these roles is worrisome.
critique of factory of personalities
neglects the impact of the power differential created by economic dependence of women onto mean along with dysfunctions of gender inequality
conflict perspective
patriarchal capitalists benefit through systems that subordinate women. imbalance of power in society exists and people struggle trying to access power they previously couldnt
feminist conflict perspective
sexual division of labor gives males privileged access to money, status, independence and opportunity.
Agents of socialization
- family
- peers
- schools
- media
family gender socialization
even before birth, parents treat their children differently based on gender. son given “wings” and told to be assertive which daughters are given “roots” and taught to be cooperative
peer gender socialization
peers engage in gender policing and single sex friend groups from young age reinforce social dosage effect. boys especially stigmatize feminine traits from a young age.
school gender socialization
“hidden curriculum” reinforces gender roles. wild male behavior excused more, strict female dresscodes. most textbooks created by men
media gender socialization
male cartoon characters outnumber female and are often funnier and more dynamic.
women are hypersexualized in videogames, etc
“doing gender”
Not a static identy, but an activity. consistent actions between men and women create natural “differences” that aren’t biological but appear so because they are acted consistently across the group.
gender inequality areas
- family life
- higher education
- economics
family life inequalities
Second shift: unpaid housework women do after they come home from their paid employment. marriage has a “traditionalizing” effect on couples.
higher education inequalities
women were historically barred from many higher instritutions. significant achievements now though.
economic inequalities
on average women working full time earn $0.83 for every comparable male dollar. disparity increases for women of color. women given glass ceiling in male professions and men given glass escalator in female-dominated occupations.
Contemporary feminist perspective
Feminism in an intellectual, consciousness-raising movement based on the idea that women and men should be afforded equal opportunities and respect.
black feminism critique
early liberal feminism surrounded around while middle class women producing a double jeopardy for minority women.
Hegemonic masculinity
the culturally normative idea of male behavior is harmful to men and women
four rules of manhood
- avoid any hint of femininity
- acquire wealth, power, and status
- never show your emotions
- exude a sense of daring and aggressiveness
rape culture
a social culture that provides an environment conducive to rape
3 proponents of rape culture
- objectification of women
- popular cultures ideas that violence against women is “no big deal”
- victim blaming- “she was asking for it”
5 aspects of modern marriage
- rates have declined
- fewer view marriage as a necessary part of adult life
- increase in acceptance of viable alternative
- most adults will still marry at some point, is older now
- divorce peaked in 70s and 80s
