Functionalist Gender Inequality

Question 1

What are the 4 explanations of gender inequality

Answer 1

1. Gender inequalities are the result of biological differences
2. Gender inequalities are the result of socialised roles which are necessary for society
3. Women’s expressive role is crucial for primary socialisation and personality stabilisation
4. Gender inequalities in work are inevitable

Question 2

Who said gender inequalities are the result of biological differences?

Answer 2

Murdock

Question 3

Expand on how gender inequalities are the result of biological differences

Answer 3

Social roles stem from the natural, biological differences between males and females for example, women are located in the home because of their biological function of bearing children whilst men’s naturally stronger physique mean they are able to perform strenuous tasks and are better suited to being breadwinners

Question 4

Who said gender differences are the result of socialised roles which are necessary for society?

Answer 4

Parsons

Question 5

Expand on how gender inequalities are the result of socialised roles which are necessary for society

Answer 5

Gender inequalities are not really inequalities due to the correct gender roles that males and females are socialised into. Females socialised into expressive roles whereas males are socialised into instrumental roles implying that men are more suited to paid employment and women are more suited to domesticity. These differences are innate and contribute to a healthy, smooth running society

Question 6

Who said women’s expressive role is crucial for primary socialisation and personality stabilisation?

Answer 6

Parsons and Bales

Question 7

Expand on how women’s expressive role is crucial for primary socialisation and personality stabilisation

Answer 7

Women are the key figure in providing primary socialisation for children and provide personality stabilisation for other adult family members. They provide comfort to their husbands when they are not at work which is crucial for men to be able to be productive and means women are not present in certain sectors of social life which lead to things such as individual wealth, power or authority

Question 8

Who said gender inequalities in work are inevitable?

Answer 8

Rastogi

Question 9

Expand on how gender inequalities in work are inevitable

Answer 9

Men gain more human capital whilst women take breaks from their career due to circumstances such as maternity leave which creates a self fulfilling prophecy where men become more valued in work giving men more confidence while women are less confident and take lower status and less well paid positions