1. Sex and Gender
Chapter 8

2. Sex vs. Gender
Gender Stratification-unequal access to power, prestige and property based on gender differences
Sex is biological (male/female)
Gender – behavior, attitudes proper for males and females
Inherit sex, learn gender
Gender is social
Gender is a master status
Gender is a device by which society controls its members

3. Dominant Position in Sociology
Social factors not biology reasons we behave the way we do
Difference in gender behavior is due to social factors
Type of work men and women do is determined by social arrangement
Nature vs. Nurture- nature provides biological predispositions overlaid with culture (Medical accidents, Vietnam veterans study)

4. Inequality in a Global Perspective
Hunter- gatherer societies men and women social equals- changed over time
Females as a minority group
Gender primary division
Women- dominant in number- are discriminated against on the basis of physical characteristics
Society sets up barriers to ensure unequal access on the basis of sex
Patriarchy was a social consequence of reproduction, women did not receive as much prestige for their work

5. Origins of Patriarchy
Patriarchal (male dominated society) theories point to social consequences of human reproduction
Women stayed at home to raise children, men went out into the world, took dominant position in society.
Males dominated society men dominate political behavior, are wiling to sacrifice to attain dominance
Women- second class citizens
Men viewed as superior

6. Patriarchy Certain activities appropriate for men and not women
Sex Typing- activities associated with one sex or another (male and female jobs)
George Murdock study 1937 found different cultures assign different work to men or women (exception metalworking/ male)
Conclusion- biology does not require men or women to be assigned different work

7. Gender and Prestige of Work
Universally greater prestige is given to male activities- regardless of what they are

8. Areas of Global Discrimination
Education- women lower rates of literacy
Politics- lack equal access to national decision making
Gap in Pay- average less pay than men
Politics- No national legislature has more women than men in office
Violence against Women- foot binding, witch burning, suttee, female circumcision, domestic violence
Institutions in society work together to maintain inequality. Customs justify and maintain arrangements

9. Rise of Feminism
100 years ago in U.S. women second class (voting, property, could not make legal contracts
Feminism- men and women should be politically, economically and socially equal

10. Women’s Movement Three waves
First- early 1900’s, reform society, give women the right to vote
Second- 1960’s, women began to take careers, compare working conditions to men
Third- focus on problems of Least Industrialized Nations, values in the workplace

11. Gender Inequality in Education
56% of undergraduates are women
Gender tracking- degrees follow gender, reinforces male-female distinctions
Graduate school- women less likely to complete doctorate

14. Gender Inequality in Everyday Life
Devaluation of things feminine
Higher value placed on things masculine
Femininity represents weakness, lack of accomplishment
Conversation- women often interrupted, employer- employee relationship in conversation
Men use insults that feminize other men

15. Inequality in the Workplace
Gap in pay between men and women
Gap in pay exists at all levels of education
Nation’s top 500 corporations, only 5 headed by women

16. Gender Inequality in the Workplace
Men enter higher paying fields
Women placed in supporting roles at many jobs (human resources, public relations)
Child Penalty- women missing out on work experience raising children

17. Gender Inequality in the Workplace
Glass Ceiling- keeps women from advancing to top level positions in upper management
If they play by “men’s rules”, they advance quicker
Glass Escalator-men working in female occupations (librarian, social worker, elementary school teacher)
pushes men into higher levels, more desirable work and pay
Mommy Track- emphasizes career and family, encourages women to take lower job, pay
Confirms cultural assumption that child rearing is “women’s work
Conflict Theory- capitalists exploit gender division

18. Sexual Harassment
Unwelcome sexual attention at work or school that affects job performance
Not seen as a problem until 1970’s
Symbolic Interactionists- term allows us to perceive action in different light

19. Gender and Violence Forms of Violence against Women (usually by males)
Forcible Rape- underreported
Date Rape most go unreported
Murder
Violence in the Home
Sociologists agree that solution to problems of violence is to break connection between masculinity and violence

20. Women in the Criminal Justice System
Judges more lenient towards women
Recently violence crimes committed by women is rising, demonstrates aggression can be related to social factors

21. Women in Politics Women underrepresented in politics
Law and business not feminine fields, where politicians start
Men reluctant to give up power, incorporate women into decision making
Some women see politics as incompatible with role expectation of motherhood

22. Future for Equality ? Barriers coming down Stereotypes changing
New consciousness about ability and relationships