HN 200: Survey of Social Problems Unit 4 Seminar Instructor: Patti Reagles

Housekeeping Notes Remember – TWO discussion questions required for this week – both are required Project 3 Grades/Feedback Read project description Use the grading rubrics Respond to all parts (use section headings if that is helpful) Don’t plagiarize Use the Kaplan Writing Center

Gender and Social Inequality Chapter 7 Gender and Social Inequality

Men and Women in Society The Biological Perspective Assumes that innate biological differences between men and women shape the contributions that each can make to society.

The Functionalist Perspective Talcott Parsons posited that sex roles became divided along the lines of instrumental tasks and expressive tasks. Functionalists argue that a problem exists when the sex-role division of labor is no longer consistent with the needs of a particular society.

The Conflict Perspective Sexual differentiation becomes a “battleground” for the struggle over scarce resources. Conflict theorists view sexual inequality as a problem when some group, women, realizes it is being exploited and strives to do something to change the situation.

The Interactionist Perspective Interactionists emphasize social definitions and symbolic representations of appropriate behavior for males and females in trying to understand sexual inequality. Conversational styles of men and women can reflect and reinforce gender patterns of dominance and subordination.

Socialization of Men & Women Sex refers to the biological terms of male and female. Gender refers to the learned behavior involving how we are expected to act as males and females in society.

Agents of Socialization The family Parents are likely to treat male and female infants and young children in ways consistent with how they view masculinity and femininity. Can you give some examples? Parents today are more aware of the negative consequences of gender stereotyping.

Agents of Socialization The schools From the beginning of school, children see men in positions of authority and dominance over women. Evidence shows that sexist treatment in the schools does result in lower self- esteem for female grade school and high school students.

Agents of Socialization The media Television Perhaps the most significant form of media for the socialization of young people is television. It has been estimated that children watch from 10 to 25 hours of television a week. Despite the fact that television has “cleaned up its act” to some extent, this powerful medium still overwhelmingly portrays stereotyped gender roles. –Can you give some examples?

Agents of Socialization The Media Music Although one can find practically any message, including strongly egalitarian and feminist ones, in some musical formats, the predominant portrayals tend to be of men who are dominant, strong, and aggressive, and of women who are young, physically attractive, and sexually alluring. Video Games They are suffused with images of male conquest, males protecting fragile and dependent women, and men saving women from unsavory ends.

Extent of Gender Inequality in the U. S. Women occupy a subordinate position in comparison to men on virtually every dimension of socioeconomic status (SES). Women face discrimination on the basis of sex in education, occupation, income, the military, and the courts.

FIGURE 7.1 Percentage of People, Age Twenty-Five Years or Older, Completing Four Years or More of College, by Sex and Race,

FIGURE 7.3 Median Weekly Earnings of Full-Time Workers, by Sex and Race, 2006

Global Perspective Gender inequality is widespread throughout the U.S. and around the world. In all parts of the world the rate of illiteracy is higher among women than men. Women are poorly represented in political positions where important decisions are made. Poor women in many developing countries have been among the victims of a capitalist world economy.

Future Prospects The future of gender inequality will depend on the feminist movement and how much collective action is mobilized around the world. The women’s movement refers to the collective activities of individuals, groups, and organizations whose goal is the fair and equal treatment of women and men around the world.

Future Prospects Changes in the law affecting women, such as comparable worth, and changes in the workplace, such as increasing numbers of women in the labor force, will be important. Any meaningful changes in the situation surrounding sexual inequality will involve a redefinition of masculinity and femininity.

Future Prospects Changes in the workplace have had mixed results Affirmative action programs encourage employers to hire women There are more women in the workplace “Women’s jobs” tend to be devalued and pay less Many women leave management positions to raise families so they rarely climb the ladder as high as men

Future Prospects Changing face of politics Very few women are elected representatives at the national level Gains have been made at state and local levels

Discussion Questions 1.What does acting like a man or a woman mean to you? 2.How did you learn your gender role? 3.What is the influence of labels such as “women’s work” on both men and women? 4.If you are a parent or plan to become one, what might you teach your children about gender roles that is different from what you learned?