Gender Stratification Are the Sexes Separate and Unequal? Chapter 11

Are the Sexes Separate and Unequal? Sociology makes an important distinction between sex and gender.

Sex The physical and biological differences between men and women. Sex differences are made evident by physical distinctions in anatomical, chromosomal, hormonal, and physiological characteristics.

Gender The social, psychological, and cultural attributes of masculinity and femininity that are based on the previous biological distinctions.

Person is born either a male or female Sex Ascribed status Person is born either a male or female

Important factor in shaping people’s self-images and social identities Gender Learned through the socialization process and thus is an achieved status. Important factor in shaping people’s self-images and social identities

Historical Views What are some of the traditional roles of men and women?

Religious Views Patriarchal Ideology The belief that men are superior to women and should control all important aspects of society.

Unbelievers Slaves Women According to traditional Islamic law and tradition, three groups of people are not eligible for legal and religious equality:

Animal Studies and Sociobiology Biological Views Animal Studies and Sociobiology Ethology The scientific study of animal behavior.

Believe that much of human social behavior has a genetic basis Ethnologists Observed that sexual differences in behavior exist throughout much of the nonhuman animal world. Sociobiologists Believe that much of human social behavior has a genetic basis

Gender and Physiological Differences The study of gender roles must take into account the size and muscle development longevity and susceptibility to disease and physical disorders.

Gender-based biology Identifies the biological and physiological differences between men and women as well as differences in responses to drugs.

Hormone differences between men and women affect how the brain functions.

Why do you think women live longer than men?

In today’s society, how do men and women responses to stress?

How is gender and sex viewed?

What Produces Gender Inequality? Two theoretical approaches have been used to explain dominance and gender inequality: . Functionalism Conflict Theory

The Functionalist Viewpoint Talcott Parsons and Robert Bales (1955) applied functionalist theory to the modern family. Argued that the division of labor and role differentiation by sex are universal principles of family organization and are functional to the modern family. Believe that the family functions best when the father assumes the instrumental role.

Instrumental role Focuses on relationships between the family and the outside world. Involves supporting and protecting the family. The mother concentrates her energies on the expressive role which focuses on relationships within the family and requires her to provide the love and emotional support needed to sustain the family

Males dominates females Conflict Males dominates females Exploitation of women Men gain greater power

Gender-Role Socialization Lifelong process whereby people learn the values, attitudes, motivations, and behavior considered appropriate to each sex according to their culture.

Childhood Socialization Parents carry in their minds images of what girls and boys are like. How they should behave, and what they should be in later life. Parents respond differently to girls and boys right from the beginning. Girls are caressed more than boys, whereas boys are jostled and roughhoused more. Mothers talk more to their daughters, and fathers interact more with their sons.

Why do you think boys and girls are treated differently? What are some of the differences?

Boys Girls Erik Erikson Encouraged to pursue role paths that will prepare them for an occupational commitment Boys Encouraged to develop behavior patterns designed to attract a suitable mate Girls

Gender Inequality and Work Percentage of Advanced Degrees Awarded to Women Degree 1970 2006 Associate 43.0 62.1 Bachelor’s 43.1 57.5 Master’s 39.7 59.9 Doctoral 13.3 48.2 Professional 5.3 50.0

Job Discrimination Rank Occupation 1. Pharmacists $1,647 2. 2008 Median weekly earnings 1. Pharmacists $1,647 2. Chief executives $1,603 3. Lawyers $1,509 4. Computer software engineers $1,351 5. Computer and information systems managers $1,260 6. Physicians and surgeons $1,230 7. Management analysts $1,139 8. Human Resource managers $1,137 9. Speech-language pathologists $1,124 10. Computer scientist and system analysts $1,082

Most common Male and Female Occupations Carpenters 98.8% Construction workers 97.4% Drivers 95.7% General Labors 85.8% Sales Representatives 73.8% Managers 62.5% Retail Sales 57.5%

Three ways women experience discrimination in the business world During the hiring process When women are given jobs with lower occupational prestige than men who have equivalent qualifications receive Through unequal wage policies Women receive less pay than men for equivalent work In the awarding of promotions Women find it more difficult than men to move up the career ladder

Five of the top 10 occupations for women Secretaries Receptionists Home health aids Cashiers Customer service representatives

Women dominate but receive relatively low pay Professional positions Elementary school teaching Nursing Women dominate but receive relatively low pay