Sociology Chapter 10

Reinforcement of what is feminine and masculine

All major agents of socialization - family, peer groups, schools, and mass media - reinforce cultural definitions of what is feminine and masculine.

gender roles in situations

Because our society defines men as having more value than women, the sex roles that define how women and men should behave place men in control of social situations; women play a more deferential role.

feminism

Endorses the social equality of women and men and opposes patriarchy and sexism. Seeks to eliminate violence against women. Advocates giving women control over their reproduction.

social conflict theory and gender

Gender is an important dimension of social inequality and social conflict. Gender inequality benefits men and disadvantages women.

Symbolic Interactionism on gender

Gender is learned through the process of socialization; gender inequalities are reproduced through interactions with family, peers, schools, and the media

Gender and inequality

Gender is not only about difference: Because societies give more power and other resources to men than to women, gender is an important dimension of social stratification.

widespread support for social equality and liberal feminism

Just 18% of U.S. adults say that women should return to their traditional roles in society

intersection theory

Particular dimensions of difference in women's lives combine in a multi-layered system, creating unique disadvantage for various categories of women. Women of color encounter greater social disadvantages than white women and earn much less than white men.

gender and violence

Sexual harassment mostly victimizes women because our culture encourages men to be assertive and to see women in sexual terms. Pornography portrays women as sexual objects. Many see pornography as a moral issue; because pornography dehumanizes women, it is also a power issue.

Social feminsim

claims that gender equality will come about by replacing capitalism with socialism.

Talcott Parsons

described gender differences in terms of complementary roles that promote the social integration of families and societies as a whole.

Preindustrail society

distinctive roles for males and females reflect biological differences between the sexes.

multicultural feminism

expands the focus on gender stratification to take into account the intersection of gender with race and ethnicity; points out that gender inequality also involves the varying positions of women around the world

structural functionalism on gender

gender serves as a way to organize social life

Industrial Socities

marked gender inequality becomes dysfunctional and gradually decreases.

gender identity

our sense of being male or female; gender becoming part of our personalities

Liberal Feminism

seeks equal opportunity for both sexes within the existing society

Radical Feminism

seeks to eliminate the concept of gender itself and to create an egalitarian and gender-free society.

gender roles

sets of behavioral norms assumed to accompany one's status as male or female; gender becoming part of our personalities

Patriarcy

varies throughout history and fomr one society to another; a system of society or government in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it.

Gender and Social Stratification

workplace: women now earn 78% as much as men in the U.S.; family life: Most unpaid housework is performed by women; education: women now earn 57% of bachelor's degrees; politics: the vast majority of elected officials are men;