Gender Stratification

Gender Stratification Chapter 12

Gender • Gender – the personal traits and social positions that members of a society attach to a female and male. • Gender is different from sex in a sociology point of view. • Gender shapes how we act and interact with others.

Social Construction of Gender • Theory how some jobs are assigned to certain Genders. Gender roles are stereotypical, but show certain facts. • The key point is that Gender roles either hurt the society or is needed in the society (discussed in later)

Gender Roles Masculine Feminine Secretary Public School Teacher Stay at home Mother Hair-stylist Nurse • Construction Worker • Firefighter • Carpenter • Airplane Pilot • Dentist

Deviant Views • An individual who does not follow these “assumed” laws fall into the Deviant category. • For example, a little boy who plays with dolls and tea parties, in modern society would be considered homosexuality. • KEY POINT – An individual’s sexuality is defined in nature or nurture?

Discuss • Is sexuality determined by nature or by nurture?

Gender Influence • Gender Influence plays a big part in children • If a girl watches television, where all the people are extremely slim, then she will be influenced by these role models. She will believe that being slim is equivalent to being beautiful. • If a boy sees that his action figures are all very muscular, he will believe that boys are meant to be muscular.

Gender Influence Effect • Because of the restricting effects of Gender division, some individuals are unable to share their true feelings. • Boys who successfully adapt to cultural standards of masculinity may grow up to be inexpressive men who cannot share their feelings with others. They remain forceful and tough, but as a result they are also closed and isolated.

Nature v.s Nurture • In the beginning of time, men were stronger than the women and were responsible for hunting. • Sense of dominance • Women were responsible for giving birth and maternal duties • Modern men are responsible for working and supporting the family. • Sense that man “feeds” the family • Women’s duties are to raise their children

But this is not true • Modern societies have dads who raise their children and mothers who go to work. • In a nationwide survey done in 2002, 69% of people said that it did not matter if either parent stayed at home. Only 30% said that the mothers should stay at home.

Gender in Global Perspective • Margret Mead carried out groundbreaking research on gender • To the extent that gender reflects biological facts, people everywhere should define “feminine” and “masculine” in the same way. • If gender is cultural, the two concepts should vary • Mead concluded that culture is key to gender

George Murdock • George Murdock found some global agreement on which tasks are feminine and which are masculine • Hunting and warfare generally fall to men, and home-centered tasks tend to be women’s work.

Patriarchy and Sexism • Everywhere in the world, we find some form of Patriarchy • Patriarchy – a form of social organization in which males dominates females. • Women were never given enough freedom until 20th and 21st century. • Even today, they are oppressed.

Women’s Rights • In the United States, women have the same rights as man, but are still underpaid even in the same occupation. • There are only 8 female governors in the U.S • No women has ever served as president, vice president, or chief justice of the Supreme Court. • The average women makes less money while working more hours compared to the average man.

Discussion Slide • Why do you think women have less active participation than men in politics? Is it because they are voted down, or is it because the majority of women has accepted the fact that it is not the role of women?

The different view points • Functionalist • Conflict • Feminist • Interactionist

Functionalist • The functionalist view point states that gender differentiation contributes to social stability. • KEY POINT – Functionalists say that the gender gap is necessary for society and defines it.

Conflict • The Conflict view point states that Gender inequality is rooted in the female-male power relationship. • KEY POINT – Conflict view says inequality exists because of inequality of power that the men and women have

Feminist • The Feminist view point deals with Women’s subjugation is directly linked to society and social structure. • KEY POINT – Feminist view assumes that women are oppressed and as a result, lowers their position in social structure class.

Interactionist • Interactionist view point states that Gender distinctions are reflected in people’s everyday behavior. • KEY POINT – Interactionist says that Gender Influence is seen in everyday behavior. Basically states that Gender Influence plays a huge factor in society.

Sexual Harassment • Sexual Harassment includes physical and non physical harassment. • Women are the most common victims of rape and are often looked down upon by men in jobs. • Latina and African American Women are more likely than White women to experience sexual harassment.

Violence Against Women • Female genital mutilation is practiced in three dozen countries • Most victims of sexual harassment are women • There is a concern that pornography promotes violence against women. • Even in movies and television shows today, women are often depicted as weak and in need of a strong male hero.

Discuss • Why do you think that women are more likely be harassed than men? • Why do you think that Latinas and African American women are at highest risk?

The status of women worldwide • Norway is the #1 leading country towards gender equality. • United States’ Constitution does not grant any special rights to either gender, but the U.S mentality still shows that women are inferior to men. • (According to text) In the Muslim religion, women are expected to wear a head scarf so that women are respected as individuals and are known for their personality instead of their bodies and looks.

The End • The end

Gender Stratification