Gender and Families Sex and gender Gender role theories Biosocial Psychoanalytic Cognitive development Social learning/socialization Conflict (sex/gender system) Male point of view Gender and family work

Sex vs. Gender l Sex: Biological l Gender: Social and cultural l Gender identity: response to biological and social cues

Gender roles l Social role: Pattern of behaviors associated with a position l Gender role: Pattern of behaviors commonly exhibited by males and females

Biosocial Approach l Innate biological differences l Hormones influence behavior (aggression, maternal instinct) l Male and female brains different l Reinforced by social experiences l Social influences can counteract biological l Differences exist only “on average” The Male Brain

Psychoanalytic approach (Freud) l Roles develop subconsciously l Begin with attachment to mother l Boy wants mother; must compete with father l Solution: identify with father, transfer attachment to another woman

l Girl identifies w/mother; accepts male dominance l Envies male power (penis envy) l Solution: Have man’s baby l Implies: “traditional” roles are natural and right Psychoanalytic approach (Freud)

Psychoanalytic approach (Feminist) l Response to Freud: l “Womb envy:” Men envy childbearing l “Power envy:” Women envy economic and political (not sexual) power l Emotional differences: father as distant role model, mother present; l boys learn separation, girls learn connectedness

Cognitive Development Theory l Understanding of gender develops in stages l Age 2: Can identify own and others’ gender l based on superficial features l see gender as changeable

l Age 3-5: Rigid conception of M/F roles l Need to classify and categorize l Need for “black and white” distinctions l Age 6-7: See gender as permanent l Not dependent on clothing, hair l May continue to insist on rigid gender roles Cognitive Development Theory

Socialization/ Social learning l Socialization by parents l Begins at birth (“Baby X” experiment) l Manipulation: treat boys and girls differently l Channeling: direct attention to specific objects l Verbal appellation: different language l Activity exposure

l Socialization by peers l Same sex peers are influential l Boys engage in competition, individual play l Girls engage in cooperation, group play, communication l Imitate peers’ behavior and attitudes Socialization/ Social learning

l Socialization by media: l Kids watch TV 4 hrs/day l >60% of major characters are men l Women shown as sexual, youthful, thin Socialization/ Social learning

Conflict Theory: Sex-Gender System l Patriarchy: Social order based on domination of women l Reinforced by capitalist system l Lower pay for women l Conflicts between men and women l Unpaid housework: men can work for lower wages

The Male Point of View l Often study gender from woman’s perspective l Masculine role may harm men l Assault, homicide l Drinking, smoking, neglecting health l Difficulty expressing feelings l Pressure to provide l Estrangement from families l Women want control at home – discourage husband’s participation

Gender and Family Work l Arlie Hochschild (80’s-90’s) l “Second Shift” = maintaining home and caring for family l How is family work divided among employed couples?

Three Gender Ideologies: l Traditional – 2 nd shift is women’s work; her employment has lower priority; identifies with family; husband has more power

l Egalitarian – true 50/50 sharing; both partners identify with work and family Three Gender Ideologies:

l Transitional – husband more traditional, wife more egalitarian Three Gender Ideologies:

Who Shares 2 nd Shift? Women’s answers: 18% had men who shared 30% tried to get men to share 52% didn’t try Men’s answers: 20% said they shared 80% didn’t think they had to share

Why men didn’t share: l Needs reduction – “she doesn’t need my help;” l Substitution – “I do other kinds of work.” l Comparison – “I do more than most guys.”

How Women Responded 1. Change his behavior – l ask for help; l indirect tactics

2. Change her own behavior – l “Supermom” – do it all l Cut back on work, career l Cut back on home, self, marriage, children l Hire help or get family members to help How Women Responded

How men responded when asked to share l Cooperation – 20% changed behavior l Resistance l Feigned incompetence l Wait for wife to ask l Bargaining (“I’ll do it as a gift”) l Needs reduction (“What mess?”)

Why don’t women ask for help? l Traditional ideology l Avoid conflict l Want control (“he’d never do it right”)