Fuctionalist And Gender Inequality

Question 1

Functionalist theories for gender inequality

Answer 1

• George Murdock : universal nature of nuclear family
• Parson and Bales: instrumental and expressive role
• human capital theory
• Davis and Moore: functional uniqueness and degree of dependence

Question 2

According to George Murdock : universal nature of nuclear family

Why are women located in the home ?

Answer 2

Due to their biological functions of bearing children and their physique of being less able than men to do certain tasks

Question 3

According George Murdock : universal nature of nuclear family

Why is gender division of Labour universal ?

Answer 3

Because of the four functions of the family (economic,reproductive, educative and sexual )
As economic role is performed by men provide income and educative role performed by women

Question 4

According to parsons and bales: instrumental and expressive role

Why is the division of roles between men and women a functional necessity ?

Answer 4

Ensures that each partner specialises in role they’re are most suited to

Question 5

According to parsons and bales: instrumental and expressive role

What are the roles best suited for men and women ?

Answer 5

Expressive and instrumental role

Question 6

According to parsons and bales: instrumental and expressive role

What is the expressive role (2 points)

Answer 6

• Performed by mothers to ensure psychological and emotional needs of husband and children is provided for
• socialise children/stabilisation of adult personalities by offering emotional support to husband

Question 7

According to parsons and bales: instrumental and expressive role

What is the instrumental role ?

Answer 7

Suited for men to provide income for family and status for family in society

Question 8

According to parsons and bales: instrumental and expressive role

What does he suggest about roles in the family

Answer 8

• Biology as natural for women to play a bigger role in socialisation
• cannot change

Question 9

According to Functionalist Human capital

What is human capital ?

Answer 9

Individual worker that develops skills and knowledge they have by education and training

Question 10

According to Functionalist Human capital

What does human capital support ?

Answer 10

Meritocracy

Question 11

According to Functionalist Human capital

How does human capital support meritocracy?

Answer 11

Men and women serve different roles and functions in society so rewarded differently

Question 12

According to Functionalist Human capital

How does human capital differ between men and women

Answer 12

Men are more work oriented and committed into work so more human capital and earn more

WHERAS
women prioritise housework over career so less human capital compared to men

Question 13

According to Davis and Moore: functional uniqueness and degree of dependence

What does he say about women and their position in uniqueness and dependence?

Answer 13

Women lack functional uniqueness and degree of dependence

Question 14

According to Davis and Moore: functional uniqueness and degree of dependence

What is functional uniqueness

Answer 14

Position that is functionally unique if not person or small number can carry out the role e.g heart transplant

Question 15

According to Davis and Moore: functional uniqueness and degree of dependence

What is degree of dependence?

Answer 15

High number of people relying on the person

Question 16

According to Davis and Moore: functional uniqueness and degree of dependence

How’s wow this explain gender inequality ?

Answer 16

As women lack these skills as do not pursue roles/jobs that are functionally unique or degree of dependence

Question 17

What are the evaluations of functionalist and gender inequality

Answer 17

• biological rather than socially constructed: Ann Oakley cleat highlights that gender roles is socially constructed not biological
• ignore social structure: human capital ignores constrains that disadvantage women e.g discrimination, socialisation all limiting women
• ignores intersectionality: focused on middle class people neglects other social groups
• outdated
• women do better than men in education up until postgraduate level so women actually have more human capital
• glass cellar: why are men in worse career if men have functional uniqueness or more suited