G ENDER D ISCRIMINATION Chapter 11, Section 1

G ENDER DIFFERENCES Most ‘differences’ noted between men and women are based on gender. Behavioral and psychological traits considered appropriate for men and women. Idea of masculine vs. feminine Gender roles= specific behaviors and attitudes that society establishes for men and women. How is gender identity formed? Gender identity= awareness of being masculine or feminine as defined by cultural traits. Gender roles are learned through socialization.

G ENDER ROLES - EXAMPLES Boys: The color blue Toys: airplanes, cars, trains, etc. Adventuresome, aggressive, physically active Good at math and science Girls: The color pink Dolls Passive, polite, gentle Reading and social sciences

S OCIAL INEQUALITY EMERGES Women were needed for reproduction; performed tasks that kept them close to home. Men took on tasks that required strength and travel. Over time, men gained a sense of power and prestige in society. Led to patriarchy= power relationship where men are dominant over women. Role of institutionalized discrimination– based on social structure. Sexism= belief that one sex is superior to the other. History of male political and economic dominance perpetuates this idea.

G ENDER I NEQUALITY IN THE U.S. Women were viewed as second-class citizens as few as 150 years ago. Growth of the women’s movement= steps taken to end gender discrimination; sexes were equal socially, politically and economically. Focused on one central goal: suffrage. The movement peaked and waned at different points in history. However, there is not total equality in education, politics and work. Equal Rights Amendment proposed originally in 1920s, gained more ground in 1970s– not yet passed.

I NEQUALITY IN EDUCATION Since 1979, women have made up 57% of college students. Differences in degrees pursued, though. Education Amendment Act of 1972 Title IX: Bars discrimination on the basis of gender in any program- including athletics- of any educational institution receiving federal funds.

I NEQUALITY IN THE WORKPLACE More women have entered the workforce since the 1960s Wage gap= level of women’s income relative to that of men’s. Women in the workplace must also contend with a glass ceiling= invisible barrier that prevents women from gaining upper level positions in business. Women are fulfilling two jobs– one at home and one at work. Second shift= Arlie Hochschild; women have household duties to complete after a day of work. “Leisure gap”: women have 10 less hours per week of leisure.

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I NEQUALITY IN P OLITICS DO YOU KNOW: Who was the first woman to run for president? Victoria Woodhull in 1872– running mate: Frederick Douglass. (Equal Rights Party) Women make up 52% of voting pop’n The numbers (2008): 24% of state legislatures 16% governors 16% U.S. Senate 16% U.S. House Notable women in politics: Michelle Bachmann, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan

A GE AND D ISABILITY Chapter 11, Section 2

A GEISM In industrial and post-industrial societies, the social standing of individuals peaks at middle- age. Ageism= belief that one age category is superior to another. Media perpetuates this idea– seldom see older actors used in commercials, unless it caters to older individuals.

T HE A GING W ORLD The world as a whole is increasing in age. Europe has the greatest percentage of individuals over 65; Africa has the least. “graying of America”= increase in median age of the U.S. population. Echoes the trend seen across the world. Effects of an aging population on American society (2 each) : Economically: rising cost of health care and Social Security; burden for family and younger workers; living longer into retirement. Politically: stronger political force  organized voting bloc focusing on issues such as health care, retirement and Social Security.

W HY IS A MERICA A GING ? Baby-boom generation= generation born between 1946 and mid-1960s. Largest segment of the American population today. Because of this generation, the elderly population is a focus of politicians. Groups like AARP, Gray Panthers, National Council on Senior Citizens, etc. represent these interests.

P OLITICS OF A GING Dependency ratio= number of workers for each person receiving Social Security benefits. Highest when baby-boomers were working… (5:1) Projected to be 2:1 in 2030 Longer life expectancies compound this issue. # of people receiving Social Security increases, as does the length of time they receive these benefits. Most likely to be in the poorest health Medicare= gov-sponsored health insurance for elderly Americans and Americans with disabilities. Medicaid=state and locally-funded healthcare for low-income individuals.

I NEQUALITIES Age: Lowering poverty rates (as a whole) Many elderly individuals live near the poverty level Disabilities: Unemployment rates are high in individuals with disabilities Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)= passed in Four areas of focus: employment, public services, public accommodations and telecommunications.

Chapter 11, Section 3 I NEQUALITIES OF H EALTH

The United States spends a higher percentage of its GDP on healthcare than any other country in the world. Where does the money come from? 35% private insurance 17% Medicare 16% Medicaid 14% out-of-pocket 13% other public sources 5% other private sources C OST OF H EALTHCARE

Factors that have led to an increase in the cost of healthcare: Rising hospital costs Advances in technology More tests being ran to avoid lawsuits Rising costs for prescription drugs Who covers the cost? Businesses? Employees? Government? R ISING COSTS OF HEALTHCARE

One way that Americans have tried to reduce costs is through managed care. Alternative healthcare plan in which patients pay a monthly or annual cost and receive healthcare services. They go to doctors on a provided list, who have agreed to reduced rates, limits on prescriptions, etc. Led to the development of a patient’s bill of rights. What if you couldn’t attend one of the listed providers? O THER OPTIONS

Another option that has been growing in recent years is known as alternative medicine. Treating methods with unconventional methods. Examples: acupuncture, meditation, herbal remedies, yoga, etc. Yearly spending over $20 billion Both managed care and alternative medicine can see a decline in quality of care due to less regulation. O THER OPTIONS

Although there is an oversupply of doctors (by ~100,000) many people still have trouble gaining access to healthcare. Reasons include: Geographic location Most doctors are specialized– not general physicians. A CCESS TO HEALTHCARE

Uneven delivery of healthcare; Percentage of those without highest in southwest Pre-existing conditions prevent some people from being covered by insurance; Some businesses do not provide health insurance, but, an individuals does not make enough money to afford their own. H EALTH ISSUES OF TODAY