Sociological perspectives on gender inequality Flashcards
1
Q
Women and men have differing roles within society and the family, which leads to gender differences in the workplace and in other areas of life
Functionalism
A
- Parsons- women naturally suited to expressive roles (care and emotion) and men suited to instrumental roles (breadwinner status). Contributes to smooth running of society as man= economic needs and woman= domestic duties. Explains different experiences in the labour market and public sphere- reflects natural differences
- Murdock- supports this view- gendered divisions of roles within the nuclear family structure is the most practical way of organising family responsibilities
2
Q
The gender pay gap is meritocratic
Functionalism
A
- Davis and Moore- human capital theory- men have more human capital as they develop skills, knowledge and qualifications over their careers as they are less likely to take time off for family commitments
- Women have less human capital as they are more likely to take career breaks/work part time to care for the family
- Difference in pay= legitimate and meritocratic
3
Q
Men and women have different roles within society/the family leading to gender differences in the workplace
New Right
A
- Murray- the conventional nuclear family and gender division of roles is desirable and based on bio differences between genders
- Concern that recent changes in roles related to family diversity (i.e. increases in single parent families) have created problems- e.g: single mum= children miss out on roles of the father= breadwinner, disciplinarian and mother= homemaker- negative impact on behaviour
4
Q
The gender division of roles is desirable and based on human nature
New Right
A
- Schlafly- Increase in number of women entering the labour market would have a detrimental impact on children and women
- Marrige and motherhood= most fulfilling roles for women- no measure of career success can compare with satisfaction of raising children
- Lower number of women in high level roles explained by women prioritising the family
5
Q
Women face barriers to developing their skill level (market situation) in the workplace
Weberian
A
- McIntosh- women face a ‘career penalty’ in which they are denied career opportunities due to negative stereotypes of women as less career focused
- Barron and Norris- women placed in secondary labour market (low skill, low pay) so experience a lowered chance of promotion and opportunities for career development
6
Q
Women face barriers to becoming part of useful social networks (party)
Weberian
A
- Wilson- relative lack of access to networking opportunities acts as a barrier to career development for women (evening networking is a barrier for those with primary care responsibilities)
- Old boys network- use networking for career development (men only)
- Bullingdon club- male uni club- powerful group, placing men at an advantage
7
Q
Women may be perceived to have lower status in society
Weberian
A
- Barron and Norris- women placed in the secondary labour market so are perceived to have lower status- care/cleaning jobs
- Less women in leadership roles= 10/12 UK Supreme Court justices are men, 91% of top investment bankers are men
8
Q
4 waves of feminism
A
- 1st wave: mid 1800s-early 1990s, reforming social and legal inequalities (e.g: right to vote, education), suffragette movement
- 2nd wave: 1960/70s- mid 1990s, challenged social and cultural norms for women= domestic roles. Greater divisions emerging (radical)
- 3rd wave: mid 1990s, no single approach to feminism as women experience inequality differently
- 4th wave- 2008+, used digital comms to build feminist movements online
9
Q
Gender inequality is the result of gender role socialisation
Feminism
A
- Oakley- children socialised into socially constructed gender roles (femininity= sensitivity, gentleness, masculinity= assertiveness, toughness)
- Manipulation (encourage/discourage behaviour based on whether it is appropriate for child’s sex)
- Canalisation (direct kids to appropriate toys- dolls vs cars)
- Domestic activities (expected to behave differently at home- chores vs fixing things)
- Verbal appellations (reinforce cultural expectations through language- pretty vs strong)
10
Q
4 strands of feminism
A
- Liberal (patriarchy rooted in public sphere of education, work, politics)
- Marxist (patriarchy caused by capitalism as inequality benefits smooth running of capitalist system)
- Radical (patriarchy rooted in private sphere of family)
- Postmodern (patriarchy experienced differently depending on class, age, ethnicity)
11
Q
Gender inequality in the workplace is caused by the structure of our patriarchal society, which disadvantages women
Liberal feminism
A
- Betty Friedan- challenged social and cultural norms of the ’60s that a women’s role= housewife. Campaigned for government involvement in helping women pursue careers by helping fund early years childcare
- Gov should take measures to reduce workplace gender inequality (e.g: increase amount of paid paternity leave)
12
Q
Women continue to face workplace discrimination, despite the Equalities Act (2010)
Liberal feminism
A
- McIntosh- women face a ‘career penalty’ in which they are denied career opportunities due to feminine stereotypes (lead to a ‘glass ceiling’)
13
Q
Traditional gender roles in the family benefit the bourgeoise
Marxist feminism
A
- Benston- if a wife looks after her husband by cooking/caring for him, he is more likely to be productive at work. men providing for the family means they are less likely to challenge unfair working conditions as they cannot risk lossing their jobs. Bourgeoise free to exploit workers
14
Q
Large number of women being out of the workplace benefits capitalism
Marxist feminism
A
- Beechey- women are seen as a ‘reserve army of labour’ by the ruling elite (spare workforce that can be called upon as and when needed)
- E.g: during WW2 women were brought into the workplace to fill in for men, but pushed out on their return
15
Q
The root cause of the patriarchy is in the private sphere of the family, particularly the traditional nuclear family
Radical feminism
A
- ‘The personal is political’- what happens within the home has wider repercussions that embed/reinforce the idea of female inferiority
- E.g: if women do most of the housework/childcare, they have less time to pursue careers outside of the home- less financial independence and economically depend on their husband
- Kate Millett- traditional nuclear family= ‘patriarchy’s key institution’
