Sociology 1201 Sociology 1201: Week Three 1. Symbolic Interactionism 2. Because I am a (Fe)male 3. Conflict Theory 4. Sociology of sexuality

Sociology 1201 Symbolic Interactionism as a sociological perspective Our world is a social construction, built through the web of social relationships and meanings. Our world is a social construction, built through the web of social relationships and meanings. We react to the meaning of social things and not to the things themselves. We react to the meaning of social things and not to the things themselves. Our self (selves?) also a social construction Our self (selves?) also a social construction

Sociology 1201 Pioneers of Symbolic interactionism Charles Horton Cooley Charles Horton Cooley Looking glass self Looking glass self Primary and secondary groups Primary and secondary groups George Herbert Mead George Herbert Mead The “I” and the “me” The “I” and the “me” Which comes first, the individual or the group? Which comes first, the individual or the group?

Sociology 1201 Key concepts in the construction of self and society Culture: a design for living passed from one generation to the next Culture: a design for living passed from one generation to the next Norms: rules defining expected situations and appropriate behaviors Norms: rules defining expected situations and appropriate behaviors Socialization: Socialization: 1. the process of learning the norms of your culture 1. the process of learning the norms of your culture 2. the process of learning who you are 2. the process of learning who you are Families particularly central to this process

Sociology 1201 Sex and gender Sex the biological distinction between male and female Sex the biological distinction between male and female Gender the culturally elaborated distinction between masculine and feminine Gender the culturally elaborated distinction between masculine and feminine Groups: “Because I am a Fe(male) Groups: “Because I am a Fe(male)

Sociology 1201 Conflict theory as a sociological perspective Competition between groups over material goods, opportunities, values, and meaning the normal condition of society Competition between groups over material goods, opportunities, values, and meaning the normal condition of society Sociology the study of the ways in which inequalities generate group conflict and are resolved Sociology the study of the ways in which inequalities generate group conflict and are resolved Inequalities of age, gender, and sexuality particularly central to families Inequalities of age, gender, and sexuality particularly central to families Families are also the typical units of race and class conflicts. Families are also the typical units of race and class conflicts.

Sociology 1201 Why did families change so rapidly in the late 20 th century? Functionalism: Rapid changes in other related institutions, including economy and religion Functionalism: Rapid changes in other related institutions, including economy and religion Conflict theory: Role of social movements, including especially feminism and to a lesser extent the gay and lesbian movement Conflict theory: Role of social movements, including especially feminism and to a lesser extent the gay and lesbian movement

Sociology 1201 Discussion groups: Promises I Can Keep Chapter 3: How Does the Dream Die? Chapter 3: How Does the Dream Die? Chapter 4: What Marriage Means Chapter 4: What Marriage Means

Sociology 1201 Sociology of sex How do we learn about sex in the United States? How do we learn about sex in the United States? Families: reality or an idealized version Families: reality or an idealized version Schools: the facts but not the meanings Schools: the facts but not the meanings Church Church Mass Media: commercialization of sex Mass Media: commercialization of sex Peers and lovers Peers and lovers Sex and the double standard Sex and the double standard The sexual revolution: when, why, where, what? The sexual revolution: when, why, where, what?

Sociology 1201 How do sociologists study sex? Survey Research Survey Research 1 st efforts: the Kinsey Reports 1 st efforts: the Kinsey Reports Lauman et. al: The Social Organization of Sexuality 1992 N=3,432 Adults Lauman et. al: The Social Organization of Sexuality 1992 N=3,432 Adults National Survey of Family Growth: Sexual Behavior and Selected Health Measures 1995 N=12,571 Ages National Survey of Family Growth: Sexual Behavior and Selected Health Measures 1995 N=12,571 Ages Qualitative research Qualitative research Rubin: Erotic Wars. What did she learn about teens and sexuality? Rubin: Erotic Wars. What did she learn about teens and sexuality?

Sociology 1201 Rubin, Erotic Wars a. In-depth interviews with 75 teens and 300 adults, age 18-48, plus a 13- page questionnaire completed by 600+ college students a. In-depth interviews with 75 teens and 300 adults, age 18-48, plus a 13- page questionnaire completed by 600+ college students b. Background to her study b. Background to her study 1). Double standard of her own growing up years: "For generations, the words 'everything but' have told the story of teenage sexuality." girls as emotional and relationship experts, boys as far more sexual and demanding 1). Double standard of her own growing up years: "For generations, the words 'everything but' have told the story of teenage sexuality." girls as emotional and relationship experts, boys as far more sexual and demanding 2). Sexual revolution of the 1960s and 1970s. Her daughter's experience, vs. her own. 2). Sexual revolution of the 1960s and 1970s. Her daughter's experience, vs. her own. 3). AIDs and STD epidemic of the 1980s and since: "We see women and men, young and old, speak their fears about AIDs but act as if they had nothing to fear." 3). AIDs and STD epidemic of the 1980s and since: "We see women and men, young and old, speak their fears about AIDs but act as if they had nothing to fear."

Sociology 1201 Teen sex in Rubin’s study 1) Biggest change over time: teens facing issue of intercourse at least five years earlier 1) Biggest change over time: teens facing issue of intercourse at least five years earlier 2) Who waits? 2) Who waits? 3) Double standard still? 3) Double standard still? girls still more likely to "give in" to protect a relationship girls still more likely to "give in" to protect a relationship Still sluts and studs Still sluts and studs 4) Most striking norms of teen sex 4) Most striking norms of teen sex a) Sense of entitlement to make their own choices my class at Mesabi Community College--"of course you lie to your parents; that's what they want" a) Sense of entitlement to make their own choices my class at Mesabi Community College--"of course you lie to your parents; that's what they want" b) Sex within a relationship is a good thing ( b) Sex within a relationship is a good thing ( 5) Sex often tied up with getting drunk or high 5) Sex often tied up with getting drunk or high