Understanding Gender: Roles, Identity & Inequality

1. Chapter 10: Gender Section 1:Gender

2. Section 1: Gender • Main Idea • Individuals learn appropriate gender behavior through socialization. In many societies, gender roles lead to social inequality. • Reading Focus • How are gender roles and identity formed? • How does gender play into social inequality in the United States?

3. How did expectations about women in the workplace change over time?

4. Between Cultures Gender Identity & Socialization • Margaret Mead studied expectations across three cultures and found differences. • Differences are seen as proof that gender is social, not biological. • Babies are given different toys. • Expected behavior, interests, and strengths are different for young boys and girls. • Expectations are learned early. Gender Roles and Identity Gender is the behavior and psychological traits considered appropriate for men and women. Gender roles are the specific behaviors established by society for men and women. Gender identity is the awareness of being masculine or feminine as defined by society.

5. Gender Roles and Social Inequality • In most societies, gender is the primary factor used to determine a person’s social standing. • Sociologists ask why this is. • One widely held view is that gender inequality is related to human reproduction. • Over time patriarchy, a system in which men are dominant over women, arose. • Conflict perspective suggests that male control of economic and political spheres have reinforced their dominant position. • The idea of institutionalized discrimination is sometimes given as a reason for inequality. • Sexism is the belief that one sex is by nature superior to the other. • Sexism becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

7. Thesociologicalcinema.com

8. Quilted Northern Soft and Strong Commercial • http://www.thesociologicalcinema.com/1/post/2011/03/quilted-northern-soft-strong-commercial.html • 0:32

9. Sexism in Advertisements

12. Masculinity in Disney Moviehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CWMCt35oFY

13. Gendered Advertisementshttp://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2013/02/20/yes-were-still-gendering-everything/

14. The summaries of the books reinforce ideas about gender and especially the association of boys with action and girls with relationships. The description of the boys’ collection mentions “excitement” and “tales of action, adventure, and exploration”:

15. The girls’ collection, on the other hand, includes “heartwarming tales” that teach us that “friendship is the most priceless and enduring gift of all”:

20. Reading Check Sequence How have gender roles changed over time? Answer: Roles are less restrictive for women, who are more strongly encouraged now to have careers and other roles outside the home.

21. Gender Inequality in the United States • The Women’s Movement • Officially begun in 1848 • Demanded suffrage, the right to vote • Used civil disobedience • Resurfaced in 1970s • Education • Since 1979, more women than men in college • Women focus on education and humanities, while men focus on engineering and the professions

22. Gender Inequality in the United States (cont.) • Work • Wagegap—The level of women’s income relative to that of men • Glassceiling—The invisible barrier that prevents women from gaining upper-level positions • Secondshift—The work a working mother does in the home • Politics • Women make up 52 percent of voting-age people, but only between 16 and 24 percent of elected offices • Some women have been appointed to high office

25. Deconstructing Disney Princesses and Princes • http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2009/10/25/disney-princesses-deconstructed/