Structuralism (Gender structures) Flashcards
Structuralism?
Structuralism is a general theory of culture and methodology that implies that elements of human culture must be understood by way of their relationship to a broader system.
Interactionism?
Interactionism is a theoretical perspective that sees social behavior as an interactive product of the individual and the situation.
But why does gender inequality persist over time and reproduces itself?
Sociologist have found that gender inequalities are produced and maintained at the level of institutions and social structures.
“We interact with one another to produce gender, for example, and the gendered social relations we produce over and over again (or, reproduce) push us to act in gendered ways.” (Aulette, p. 60, 2008)
Giddens: We are the product of structures that we ourselves create
Gender structures?
Every society has a gender structure, a means by which bodies are assigned a sex category from which gender as inequality is built.
What Brofennbrenner’s system fits into structuralism?
Exosystem (Economic system, Education system, Political system, Government system, Religious system.
Micro-inequities or micro-agressions?
Inequalities that are covert and that cannot be seen but do affect the people who suffer from them
Men wants to go into nursing. What happens?
Higher status
Higher paying
Higher mobility
Glass escalator
Kanter statement about gender differences?
Gender differences were a result of structures not differences between men and women
Opportunity structures?
Opportunity structure is the framework of socially structured means and rules available for a social group to achieve its aims and interests, which are culturally defined and oriented toward social success.
What did Kanter find with his study in Opportunity structures?
It was found most women did not have many aspirations or commitment.
It’s their immobility at work.
Opportunity structures produce gendered behaviour.
How can you go up the corporate ladder as a secretary?
Double-standards at work based on Androcentrism
Men’s Behaviour•He’s good on details.•He follows through.•He’s assertive.•He stands firm•He’s a men of the world.•He’s not afraid to say what he thinks.•He’s close-mouthed.•He exercises authority.•He climbed the ladder of success.•He’s a stern taskmaster.
Women’s Behaviour•She’s picky.•She doesn’t know when to quit.•She’s pushy.•She’s rigid.•She’s been around.•She’s outspoken.•She’s secretive.•She’s power mad.•She slept her way to the top.•She’s difficult to work for.
Power structures? (According to Kanter)
- According to Kanter, power is “the ability to get things done, to mobilize resources, to get and whatever it is that a person needs for the goals he or she is attempting to meet.”
- Do you agree? Think about the people around you who have power. Are they men or women or a bit of both?
- People with little resources, have less power.
- Gender difference is just a mask –structural problem.
Tokenism?
The social relations that grow from belonging to a tiny minority amidst a large majority.
Women were evaluated negatively in a male dominated profession.
Men did very well in a female dominated profession.
Why did most scholars said that gender inequalities were too present everywhere?
Paid vs. unpaid word
Income and status inequalities between men and women
Male dominance and male culture in most organizations
FOUR types of inequalities in organizations
Org processes created gendered divisions
•Space, behaviour.
Org processes construct symbols and images that support differences in org.
•Cool male leader vs. Female bitch boss
Org promote gendered components of individual identity (clothing, language)
•Skirts and sexy outfits. Think of male vs. Female bodies at work
Gender logic: work rules, labour contracts… (read p. 65 bottom)
•Maternity leave –part time vs. full-time work; daddy days (Sweden?)
