Chapter 11 Sex and Gender Sex: The Biological Dimension Gender: The Cultural Dimension Gender Stratification in Historical and Contemporary Perspective Gender and Socialization Contemporary Gender Inequality Perspectives on Gender Stratification Gender Issues in the Future

Perception of Body Weight: Hesse-Biber study Women overestimated their weights and thought their bodies were heavier than the medically desirable weights. Over 3/4 of women but less than 1/3 of males ever dieted. 50% of the men were content with their body image compared to 37% of the women.

Social Significance of Gender Gender stereotypes hold that men and women are different in attributes, behavior and aspirations. Men: strong, rational, dominant, independent, less concerned with appearance. Women: weak, emotional, nurturing, dependent, anxious about appearance.

Sexism Directed at Women Three components Negative attitudes toward women Stereotypical beliefs that reinforce, complement or justify the prejudice Discrimination - acts that exclude, distance, or keep women separate.

Gendered Division of Labor Three factors: Type of subsistence base. Supply of and demand for labor. The extent to which women's child-rearing activities are compatible with certain types of work.

Agents of Gender Socialization Parents Peers Teachers and schools Sports Mass Media

Parents and Gender Socialization Children's clothing and toys reflect their parents' gender expectations. Children are often assigned household tasks according to gender.

Peers and Gender Socialization Peers help children learn gender‑appropriate and inappropriate behavior. During adolescence, peers often are more effective at gender socialization than adults. College student peers play an important role in career choices and the establishment of long term, intimate relationships.

Teachers and Schools and Gender Socialization Teachers provide messages about gender through classroom assignments and informal interactions with students. Teachers may unintentionally show favoritism toward one gender over the other.

Sports and Gender Socialization From elementary school through high school: Boys play football. Girls are cheerleaders, members of the drill team, and homecoming queens. For many males, sports is a training ground for masculinity.

Mass Media and Gender Socialization On television: Male characters typically are more aggressive, constructive, and direct. Females are deferential toward others or use manipulation to get their way.

Functionalist Perspectives The division of family labor ensures that important societal tasks will be fulfilled. The human capital model - people vary in the education and training they bring to the labor market. What people earn is the result of their choices and the demand for certain kinds of workers.

Conflict Perspectives Gendered division of labor results from male dominance over women and resources. Even in industrial societies, men are considered the head of household. Men hold more power because they are predominate in highly paid and prestigious occupations and elected offices.