SOCIAL: Gender Socialisation Flashcards
What is socialisation?
Socialisation is the process in which we learn norms, customs and skills needed to integrate into society
What does Sutherland say?
He claimed that during socialisation, there are clear differences in how boys and girls are socialised
- Boys are encouraged to risk take and be tough, girls are not
- Girls tend to be more supervised and controlled, where as boys
- Society expects girls to be more conforming than boys
How does this link to criminal behaviour?
These differences in socialisation become ingrained ad lead to more young men becoming criminals as they have both the inclination and opportunity to commit more crime.
What does social learning theory suggest?
We learn though observation and imitation of role models
What are 3 factors that make a child more likely to repeat gender appropriate behvaiour?
-Children are more likely to imitate behvaiour of those who they perceive simular to themselves, who they identify with
-People around the child will respond to the imitation of a behaviour with either reinforcement or punishment
-A child will have observed the reinforcement and consequences of other people’s behvaiour and they may imitate the behaviour if it is reinforced, this is called vicarious reinforcement
What was the key study: Fagot 1978?
She did an observational study, where she observers children around the age of 2 years old, who were playing at home with their parents, she recorded the reinforcements and punishments given by the parents. She found boys were reinforced when playing with stereotypical male toys (Eg. Bricks) and were punished for playing with feminine toys (Eg Dolls). She found females were reinforced to stay stay close to her parents and were punished for rough play like play fighting ect.
-This confirms the hypothesis that boys and girls are punished and reinforced for gender appropriate behaviours
Why did Cohen (1955) suggest gender socialisation may be more difficult for boys than girls?
Girls find the process of socialisation easier as they have more access to their mothers whereas traditionally fathers have been less effective role models for boys as they are less frequently available first their sons. As a result of this lack of effective role models, boys may rebel against the ‘feminine’ socialisation offered by their mother and instead pursue a ‘masculine’ identity. It is often seen that young boys seek an all-male peer group who may reward ‘masculine’ behvaiours such as aggression, toughness, risk-taking and rule-breaking, all of which are likely to cause delinquency and potential criminal behaviour
What is the link between masculinity and criminal behaviour in boys? Could criminal behaviour be explained by society’s construct of masculinity?
Messerschmidt (1993) argues that it society’s concept of masculinity that leads to criminal behaviour in boys and men. He argues that to be masculine means to assert authority and control over others and to be aggressive and Independent. If legitimates means to express such masculinity is unavailable, then the only way a male can assert their masculinity is to turn to crime.
How does social control link to criminal behaviour?
Social control may influence gender socialisation in relation to the degree of social control placed upon females compared to males. Within paitriachal societies, men dominate and are seen as superior compared to females. Such societies place great control over women, reducing their opportunity to commit crime
How are women controlled at home?
In the home, daughters are not able to stay out as late as sons and can be seen as dependant upon the care/provision from their parents. Consequently, girls learn to socialise within the home, such as having sleepovers. Even from a young age girls are encouraged to spend time in the home, away from criminal behaviour. This continues into adulthood, when women are expected to spend more time in domestic roles such as caring for children.
How are women controlled in the work place?
Most CEO jobs are held by males, the ‘glass ceiling’ prevents women from rising to senior positions, meaning they have fewer opportunities to commit crimes like white collar crimes
How are women controlled in the public?
The way the media reports on crimes such as rape also controls women, as it increases fear in women for being out at night and alone. This fear causes women to stay home, therefore they have less opportunity to commit crime. The manner in which the media reports on criminal acts committed by women is also ‘controlling’. There is the risk of ‘double jeapardy’ as when a women commits a crime, she is not only breaking the law, but also rejects her own feminity.
What is the method to modification?
The Man Up Project
-if the way different genders are socialised, this means that criminality can be avoided if males are socialised in diffently, males could be exposed to more ‘feminine’ strategies of conflict management or the media can present males role models as less aggressive ect. The man up scheme aims to support men explore the ways in which the concept of masculinity contributes to shaping an individuals identity. It aims to challenge some of the attitudes and negative outcomes experienced by men as a result of wanting or needling to fulfil stereotypes or expectations
