Weberian View on Gender Inequality

Question 1

What do Barron and Norris (1976) argue

Answer 1

(Influenced by Webers theory of status)

Argue that a dual labour-market exists, and that the labour market is divided into two sectors.

Question 2

What are the two sectors Barron and Norris talk about

Answer 2

• A primary sector consisting of secure, well-paid jobs with good prospects
• A secondary sector characterised by poor pay, insecurity and no ladder promotion.

It is very difficult to move from the secondary to primary sector

Question 3

What are the three reasons Barron and Norris argue about the secondary sector

Answer 3

Women are more likely to be found disadvantaged in the secondary sector

1. Evidence that employers hold stereotypical beliefs about the ‘unsuitability’ of women for primary-sector roles
2. Women are likely to experience disrupted career development, i.e. Having kids etc
3. The legal and political framework supporting women rights in the workplace is weak and ineffective

Question 4

What does the Dual labour-market theory believe

Answer 4

They have two strengths as an explanation of vertical segregation

Question 5

What are the two strengths as an explantation of vertical segregation

Answer 5

• It stresses that the social organisation of work in Western societies is essentially patriarchal, with men in positions of power.
• It undermines the popular assumption that better qualifications and increased ambition for women would automatically dismantle gender divisions in employment.

Question 6

What does Bradley (1996) point out about the dual labour-market theory

Answer 6

Points out that the theory fails to explain inequalities in the same sector. For example, teaching is not a secondary labout-market occupation yet women are less likely than men to gain headteacher posts