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Section 1: Sex and Gender Identity Chapter Preview Section 1: Sex and Gender Identity Section 2: Theoretical Perspectives on Gender Section 3: Gender Inequality Section 4: Ageism Section 5: Inequality in America’s Elderly Population Chapter Menu

Chapter Preview · Section 1 Sex and Gender Identity (pages 310–315) All societies expect people to behave in certain ways based on their sex. Through socialization, members of a society acquire an awareness of themselves as masculine or feminine. Chapter Preview 1

Chapter Preview · Section 2 Theoretical Perspectives on Gender (pages 316–321) The functionalist perspective focuses on the origins of gender differences. Conflict theory looks at the reason gender differences continue to exist. Symbolic interactionism attempts to explain the ways in which gender is acquired. Chapter Preview 2

Chapter Preview · Section 3 Gender Inequality (pages 322–329) Women today are still subject to prejudice and discrimination. This imbalance is seen most clearly in the areas of economics, law, and politics. Chapter Preview 3

Chapter Preview · Section 4 Ageism (pages 330–332) The relatively low social standing of older people is based on ageism. Each of the theoretical perspectives has a unique slant on ageism. Chapter Preview 4

Chapter Preview · Section 5 Inequality in America’s Elderly Population (pages 333–338) The poverty rate for America’s elderly population stands at just under 10 percent. Members of racial and ethnic minorities are in the poorest ranks. Older people exert political influence through their high voting rate and their support of special interest groups. Chapter Preview 5

Chapter Preview-End

All societies expect people to behave in certain ways based on their sex. Through socialization, members of a society acquire an awareness of themselves as masculine or feminine. Behavioral differences between men and women are culturally conditioned. Section 1-Preview

biological determinism gender identity sex biological determinism gender identity Section 1-Key Terms

Section 1-Polling Question Why do you think men and women behave differently? A. Genetics B. Environment C. Gender identity D. Biological determinism A B C D Section 1-Polling Question

Defining Male and Female Sex is the biological difference between male and female. Two views: Biological determinism is the belief that behavioral differences are the result of inherited physical characteristics. There is no scientific evidence to support this. Section 1

Defining Male and Female (cont.) Gender identity is the awareness of being masculine or feminine, based on culture. Girls and boys gradually learn to behave as their parents expect. Nature versus nurture: Does biology or socialization play a greater role in gender differences? Section 1

How much influence do you think society puts on males and females, ultimately defining their behavior? A. Much influence B. Some influence C. Little influence D. No influence A B C D Section 1

Biology, Culture, and Behavior The brain structure of men and women differs, causing different traits. These similar traits span dozens of different cultures. Does this point to a biological cause for behavior differences? Section 1

Biology, Culture, and Behavior (cont.) Sociologists tend to argue that gender-related behavior is not primarily the result of biology. Margaret Mead’s research supports this view. While biological characteristics exist, they can be modified through social influences. Section 1

How important is it that males and females display different behavior? A. Very important B. Somewhat important C. Not very important D. Not important at all A B C D Section 1

Section 1-End

The functionalist perspective focuses on the origins of gender differences. Conflict theory looks at the reasons gender differences continue to exist. Symbolic interactionism attempts to explain the ways in which gender is acquired. Section 2-Preview

gender socialization Section 2-Key Terms

Section-Polling Question Why do you feel gender differences are necessary? A. Conflict theory B. Symbolic interactionism C. Gender socialization D. All of the above A B C D Section-Polling Question

Functionalism and Gender Functionalists believe that early humans created such a division of labor—men as hunters and women as gatherers—because men were more expendable than women. Dysfunction exists today because of this tradition. Women in the Workplace Section 2

How much influence did the early division of labor have on the dysfunctions of today? A. Much influence B. Some influence C. Little influence D. No influence A B C D Section 2

Conflict Theory and Gender According to this theory, men want to maintain the status quo so they can preserve the privileges they enjoy without sharing them with women. However, conflict theorists see the traditional gender roles as outdated and believe that women have every right to enter demanding career fields. Section 2

Do you agree with the following statement: “men do not want women as competition in their career field?” A. Yes B. No C. Not sure D. Sometimes A B C D Section 2

Symbolic Interactionism and Gender Gender socialization is the process of boys and girls learning to act the way they are “supposed to act.” Parents transfer values and attitudes regarding how boys and girls should behave. Babies are given gender-specific gifts. Section 2

Symbolic Interactionism and Gender (cont.) Boys and girls are given chores according to sex. The school environment tends to encourage assertive behavior in boys and demure behavior in girls. Peer groups also encourage traditional gender roles. Gender Inequality Section 2

Which of the following are reasons why women are shortchanged in the school systems? A. Gender socialization B. Demure behavior is expected C. Women are expected to act like ladies and keep quiet D. All of the above A B C D Section 2

Section 2-End

Although great progress has been made, women today are still subject to prejudice and discrimination. This imbalance of power is seen most clearly in the areas of economics, law, and politics. Section 3-Preview

occupational sex segregation sexism occupational sex segregation Section 3-Key Terms

Section 3-Polling Question How strongly do you feel that women are still discriminated against in the workplace? A. Very strongly B. Somewhat strongly C. Not very strongly D. Not strongly at all A B C Section 3-Polling Question

Women as a Minority Group Sexism is defined as a set of beliefs, attitudes, norms, and values used to justify gender inequality. Sexist ideology—the belief that men are naturally superior to women—has been used and is still being used to justify men’s leadership and positions of power. Section 3

Women as a Minority Group (cont.) Women are gaining more respect, but gaps still exist in areas such as social rights, privileges, and rewards. Section 3

Given the previous chapters, can you explain why this inferior view of women still exists? A. Yes B. No C. Not sure A B C Section 3

Occupational and Economic Inequality The most important labor development in the United States over the past 30 years has been a dramatic increase in the number and proportion of women in the workforce. Composition of the U.S. Labor Force, by Sex: 1870–2012 Section 3

Occupational and Economic Inequality (cont.) Women are experiencing occupational sex segregation—the fact that women hold lower-status positions in the workforce. Section 3

Occupational and Economic Inequality (cont.) Women must work 7 days to earn what men make in 5 days. Furthermore, women of race and ethnicity earn even less. What Women Earn Compared to Men Female-to-Male Earnings: 2004 Section 3

B. Occupational sex segregation C. Social rights D. All of the above Knowing this information about inequality, what are the reasons it is not being remedied? A. Sexism B. Occupational sex segregation C. Social rights D. All of the above A B C D Section 3

Legal and Political Inequality Many laws have been enacted under the auspices of being safeguards against abuse and exploitation of women. However, women were denied certain jobs because of these laws. Passage of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 nullified these laws, but the effects still linger. Women’s Wages Compared with Men’s Wages, by Race and Ethnicity Section 3

Legal and Political Inequality (cont.) Differences by gender in criminal law exist as well. Although women constitute more than half of the population, they hold a relatively small proportion of important political positions. Percentages of Women in Elective Offices Section 3

Legal and Political Inequality (cont.) The proportion of women in appointed offices is also poor. The number of women holding public office in the U.S. is among the lowest in the Western world. Women in National, State, and Local Political Positions, 2005 Section 3

How strongly do you feel that women should be discriminated against in the workplace due to the fact that they might become pregnant? A. Very strongly B. Somewhat strongly C. Not very strongly D. Not strongly at all A B C D Section 3

Section 3-End

The relatively low social standing of older people is based on ageism The relatively low social standing of older people is based on ageism. Each of the theoretical perspectives has a unique slant on ageism. Stereotypes are often used to justify prejudice and discrimination, which can harm the self-concepts of older people. Section 4-Preview

age stratification ageism Section 4-Key Terms

Section 4-Polling Question Do you feel older people tend to have low social standing in the U.S.? A. Very much so B. Not very much C. Not at all A B C Section 4-Polling Question

Defining Ageism Age stratification occurs when the unequal distribution of scarce resources in a society is based on age. The rationale for this inequality comes in the form of ageism—a set of beliefs, attitudes, norms, and values used to justify prejudice and discrimination against a particular group. U.S. Suicide Rates by Age, Gender, and Racial Group, 2002 Section 4

A B C Does ageism occur in every culture? A. Always B. Sometimes C. Never A B C Section 4

Functionalism and Ageism According to functionalists, elderly people in a given society are treated according to the role the aged play in that society. In many societies, ageism is not an issue. In colonial America, age brought respect. Industrialization, and the need for people to remain current in their working skills, changed the view of old age. Section 4

Which factor is most important when considering employment in our society? A. Age B. Wisdom C. Living a moral life D. All of the above A B C D Section 4

Conflict Theory and Ageism According to the conflict theory, elderly people compete with other age groups for economic resources, power and prestige. In preindustrial societies, the elderly were still respected, but in industrial societies, the elderly are pushed to the side because younger workers can replace them. Forced retirement is a weapon used against the elderly. Section 4

Which of the following age stereotyping model plays in the conflict theory? A. The aged are intellectually dull. B. The aged are closed-minded. C. Prejudice and discrimination D. The aged are inflexible. A B C D Section 4

Symbolic Interactionism and Ageism According to this perspective, children learn negative images of older people just as they learn other aspects of culture. The stereotypes, however, do not hold true in general. Section 4

A B C D Do you feel that you have a negative view of the elderly? A. Always B. Sometimes C. Never D. Not sure A B C D Section 4

Section 4-End

The poverty rate for America’s elderly population stands at 9 The poverty rate for America’s elderly population stands at 9.8 percent. members of racial and ethnic minorities are in the poorest ranks. The political process offers the major source of power for elderly Americans. Older people exert political influence through their high voting rate and their support of special interest groups. Section 5-Preview

interest groups Section 5-Key Terms

Section 5-Polling Question Do you agree that the elderly can use the political process as a powerful tool? A. Agree B. Disagree C. Not sure A B C Section 5-Polling Question

Elderly People as a Minority Group Not until recently have researchers viewed older people as a distinct segment of society subject to the same discrimination and stereotyping as other minority groups. Section 5

A B C Which groups are being classified as a minority? A. Older people B. Women C. Ethnic D. All of the above A B C Section 5

Economics of the Elderly The federal government assumes that older people require less money to live, so the measurement of their poverty is skewed. The income gap among the elderly also distorts the economic picture. Poverty Rates Among Americans Aged 65 and Over: 1959–2004 Section 5

Economics of the Elderly (cont.) Older people who are members of racial or ethnic minority groups are generally in worse condition than older white Americans. Elderly women constitute one of the poorest segments of American society. Section 5

Does the government take into account the “near poor” and the “hidden poor” when measuring poverty amongst the elderly? A. Always B. Sometimes C. Never D. Not sure A B C D Section 5

Political Power and the Elderly Voting turnout in the U.S. increases with age. However, the lack of unity due to the differences amongst the elderly (such as social class, religion, race) weakens their political clout. Interest groups are organized to influence political decision making. Percentage of Population Aged Sixty-five and Over Section 5

Political Power and the Elderly (cont.) Millions of Americans belong to interest groups that target ageism. Selected Socioeconomic Characteristics of Elderly Americans Section 5

A B C D Why do think people vote more as they age? A. Diversity B. Social class C. Gray power D. All of the above A B C D Section 5

Section 5-End

Figure 10.1

Composition of the U.S. Labor Force, by Sex: 1870–2012 Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2005. Figure 10.2

What Women Earn Compared to Men Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2005. Figure 10.3

Female-to-Male Earnings: 2004 Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2005. Figure 10.4

Women’s Wages Compared with Men’s Wages, by Race and Ethnicity Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2005. Figure 10.5

Percentages of Women in Elective Offices Source: Center for American Women and Politics, National Information Bank on Women in Public Office, Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University. Figure 10.6

Figure 10.7A

Figure 10.7B

U.S. Suicide Rates by Age, Gender, and Racial Group, 2002 Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Health, United States, 2004. Figure 10.8

Poverty Rates Among Americans Aged 65 and Over: 1959–2004 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Historical Poverty Tables, 2005. Figure 10.9

Selected Socioeconomic Characteristics of Elderly Americans Source: CRS Report for Congress, 2005. Figure 10.10

Percentage of Population Aged Sixty-Five and Over Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Statistical Abstract of the United States, 2004–2005. Snapshot

Women in the Workplace World View Source: United Nations Statistics Division, Statistics and Indicators on Women and Men, 2005. World View

Sociology Chapter Transparencies What Women Earn Compared to Men, by State U.S. Labor Force Participation Rates, by Sex: 1890–2004 Transparency Menu

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sex classification of people as male or female based on biological characteristics Vocab1

biological determinism principle that behavioral differences are the result of inherited physical characteristics Vocab2

gender identity a sense of being male or female based on learned cultural values Vocab3

gender socialization the social process of learning how to act as a boy or girl Vocab4

sexism a set of beliefs, attitudes, norms, and values used to justify sexual inequality Vocab5

occupational sex segregation the concentration of women in lower-status positions Vocab6

age stratification the unequal distribution of scarce resources based on age Vocab7

ageism a set of beliefs, attitudes, norms, and values used to justify age-based prejudice and discrimination Vocab8

interest group a group organized to influence political decision making Vocab9

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