Functionalist Explanations for Gender Inequality

Question 1

Davis & Moore

Answer 1

Role Allocation Theory

Men tend to train and work for longer as week as have a high level of dependency so they need to be allocated more pay to motivate them in their difficult positions.

Question 2

Davis & Moore Criticisms

Answer 2

Feminists see this as a way of justifying inequality and patriarchy in the labour market.

Question 3

Parsons

Answer 3

Biological Differences

Women are more suited to expressive roles and will therefore, take career breaks to have children, this then makes it more difficult to progress when they return to work as they may have to work part time to manage childcare.

Question 4

Parsons Criticisms

Answer 4

Feminists see this as motivation for gendered socialisation and Somerville believes legislation should be brought in to support women with children in the workplace.

Question 5

Young

Answer 5

Meritocracy

Women have less merit than men as they are rewarded less

Question 6

Young Criticisms

Answer 6

There is evidence that we don’t like in a meritocratic society, women have a lot of skills that go unrewarded.