FUNCTIONALIST gender

Question 1

What are the studies for functionalist ?

Answer 1

• George Murdock
• parsons and Bales
• human capital theory
• Davis and Moore

Question 2

According to Murdock, why are women located in the home ?

Answer 2

Due to Biological function of bearing children and physique being less able than men to do some tasks

Question 3

What did Murdock conclude from his study ?

Answer 3

Gender division of labour was universal

Question 4

Why is the gender division of labour universal according to Murdock ?

Answer 4

Because they were functional

Question 5

What did Murdock conclude about his four functions (sexual, economic, education and reproductive) ?

Answer 5

They were Natural , men = economic, women = reproductive

Question 6

According to Parsons and Bales, what is division of Roles?

Answer 6

Functional necessity

Question 7

According to Parsons and Bales, why is division in roles a functional necessity?

Answer 7

Makes sure each partner specialises in role best suited for them

Question 8

According to Parsons and Bales, what are the different roles ?

Answer 8

• expressive role and instrumental role

Question 9

What is the expressive role according to parsons and Bales ?

Answer 9

• women role
• physchological and emotional need to children and husband
• stabilisation of adult personality, emotional support

Question 10

What is the instrument role according to Parsons and Bales ?

Answer 10

Providing income for family

Question 11

According to the human capital theory what is human capital ?

Answer 11

Refers to the ability to produce economically helpful labour

Question 12

According to the human capital theory , what does this view support with functionalism ?

Answer 12

Meritocracy

Question 13

According to the human capital theory, how does this link to meritocracy?

Answer 13

Men and women serve different roles but rewarded differently

Question 14

According to the human capital theory , how are men ?

Answer 14

Men are more work oriented

Question 15

According to the human capital theory, because men are more work-oriented what does it mean?

Answer 15

They earn more and have more human capital

Question 16

According to the human capital theory, how are women ?

Answer 16

Women prioritise role as homemakers and family more than Career

Question 17

Due to Women prioritise role as homemakers and family more than Career , what does this mean ?

Answer 17

Not a lot of human capital

Question 18

According to the human capital theory , How does this promote gender inequality ?

Answer 18

Women develop low levels of human capital

Question 19

According to Davis and Moore , what are the two ways women face inequality?

Answer 19

Functional uniqueness and degree of dependence

Question 20

What is functional uniqueness according to Davis and Moore ?

Answer 20

A position is functionally unique if one person or a small group of people can carry out the role

Question 21

What is degree of dependence according to Davis and Moore ?

Answer 21

High number of people relying on the person

Question 22

According to Davis and Moore why do women face inequality?

Answer 22

Women lack these skills

Question 23

What are the evaluation of functionalism ?

Answer 23

• ignoring intersectionality = focus on middle class not black , disabled
• glass cellar = ignores how men get the worse jobs e.g safety , pay because naturally suited
• outdated and sexist = family is less gender socialised