Functionalist Explanations For Gender Inequality

Question 1

Murdock (functionalist)

Answer 1

Women are located in their home because of their biological function to bear children and because their physique meant that they were less able to perform strenuous tasks than men.

This gender division is evident in all societies because they are functional

Question 2

Parsons (functionalist)

Answer 2

Women =expressive caring role
Men= instrumental

Differences are innate - ascribed at birth and contribute to a healthy, smooth running society.

Implies that men are more suited to paid employment and women are more suited to domesticity

Women are less motivated and less suited to the labour market than men
( therefore it is not surprising that they are paid less on average)

Question 3

Human Capital Theory

Answer 3

Related to the idea that men and women serve different functions and roles in society

Pay gap is justified because it reflects the fact that men have more ‘human capital’ than women because of their greater focus on the labour market
Women- less committed to paid work and are more likely to take careers breaks or opt for part time work to continue to care for family

Women often prioritise their role as homemarker, fitting in with their maternal instincts

Question 4

Rastogi

Answer 4

(Human capital theory)
-sees human capital as ‘knowledge, competency, attitude and behaviour embedded in an individual
- men are work orientated- committed to their jobs
Whereas women choose to prioritise their role as homemarkers and caring for the family over their careers