Sociology 125 Lectures 19 Gender April 5, 2018

III. EXPLAINING TRANSFORMATION

The Question Women have always tried to increase their autonomy and reduce their subjection. But throughout most of history these struggles have produced at best minimal change. Why do these struggles produce big changes sometimes and not others? Why in second half of the 20th century was there such massive transformation?

The Answer While women have tried throughout history to increase their autonomy and reduce their subordination, they could only succeed in doing this on a large scale once social conditions had changed in ways that made existing gender power relations fragile.

Three basic processes Decline in a coherent interest among men to defend male domination Erosion of institutional system of female domesticity which eroded women’s interest in traditional gender relations Increase in capacity for challenge by women

1.The decline of coherent male interests in male domination Central explanation: The rapidly increasing economic demand for literate labor by male employers undermined male interest in excluding women.

2. The Crisis of Female Domesticity

Traditional social supports for domesticity = a coherent system Stable marriage/personal relations fostered domesticity blocked work opportunities increased the attractiveness of domesticity A family wage made domesticity economically feasible dense social networks supported domesticity (neighbors, churches, communities, etc.) cultural norms and sexism reinforced identities and expectations

Traditional social supports for domesticity = a coherent system Stable marriage/personal relations fostered domesticity blocked work opportunities increased the attractiveness of domesticity A family wage made domesticity economically feasible dense social networks supported domesticity (neighbors, churches, communities, etc.) cultural norms and sexism reinforced identities and expectations

Traditional social supports for domesticity = a coherent system Stable marriage/personal relations fostered domesticity blocked work opportunities increased the attractiveness of domesticity A family wage made domesticity economically feasible dense social networks supported domesticity (neighbors, churches, communities, etc.) cultural norms and sexism reinforced identities and expectations

Traditional social supports for domesticity = a coherent system Stable marriage/personal relations fostered domesticity blocked work opportunities increased the attractiveness of domesticity A family wage made domesticity economically feasible dense social networks supported domesticity (neighbors, churches, communities, etc.) cultural norms and sexism reinforced identities and expectations

Traditional social supports for domesticity = a coherent system Stable marriage/personal relations fostered domesticity blocked work opportunities increased the attractiveness of domesticity A family wage made domesticity economically feasible dense social networks supported domesticity (neighbors, churches, communities, etc.) cultural norms and sexism reinforced identities and expectations

Traditional social supports for domesticity = a coherent system Stable marriage/personal relations fostered domesticity blocked work opportunities increased the attractiveness of domesticity A family wage made domesticity economically feasible dense social networks supported domesticity (neighbors, churches, communities, etc.) cultural norms and sexism reinforced identities and expectations

Collapse of the system of coherent domesticity beginning in the 1960s decline of stable marriage means women cannot count of support of husbands expansion of work opportunities increased the viability of alternatives to domesticity decline of the family wage made domesticity economically difficult erosion of dense social networks makes domesticity more isolated and difficult challenge to cultural norms and traditional sexism contributes to new identities

Collapse of the system of coherent domesticity beginning in the 1960s decline of stable marriage means women cannot count of support of husbands expansion of work opportunities increased the viability of alternatives to domesticity decline of the family wage made domesticity economically difficult erosion of dense social networks makes domesticity more isolated and difficult challenge to cultural norms and traditional sexism contributes to new identities

Collapse of the system of coherent domesticity beginning in the 1960s decline of stable marriage means women cannot count of support of husbands expansion of work opportunities increased the viability of alternatives to domesticity decline of the family wage made domesticity economically difficult erosion of dense social networks makes domesticity more isolated and difficult challenge to cultural norms and traditional sexism contributes to new identities

Collapse of the system of coherent domesticity beginning in the 1960s decline of stable marriage means women cannot count of support of husbands expansion of work opportunities increased the viability of alternatives to domesticity decline of the family wage made domesticity economically difficult erosion of dense social networks makes domesticity more isolated and difficult challenge to cultural norms and traditional sexism contributes to new identities

Collapse of the system of coherent domesticity beginning in the 1960s decline of stable marriage means women cannot count of support of husbands expansion of work opportunities increased the viability of alternatives to domesticity decline of the family wage made domesticity economically difficult erosion of dense social networks makes domesticity more isolated and difficult challenge to cultural norms and traditional sexism contributes to new identities

Collapse of the system of coherent domesticity beginning in the 1960s decline of stable marriage means women cannot count of support of husbands expansion of work opportunities increased the viability of alternatives to domesticity decline of the family wage made domesticity economically difficult erosion of dense social networks makes domesticity more isolated and difficult challenge to cultural norms and traditional sexism contributes to new identities

3. The Women’s movement & Feminism

V. THE WORLD TODAY: DILEMMAS AND PROSPECTS

1. IRREVERSIBILITY OF FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES Dramatic decline in family size unlikely to be reversed: permanent erosion of lifetime domesticity as an ideal Traditional marriage stability unlikely to be restored Women’s labor force participation unlikely to be reversed Women’s participation in powerful and influential positions unlikely to decline

1. IRREVERSIBILITY OF FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES Dramatic decline in family size unlikely to be reversed: permanent erosion of lifetime domesticity as an ideal Traditional marriage stability unlikely to be restored Women’s labor force participation unlikely to be reversed Women’s participation in powerful and influential positions unlikely to decline

1. IRREVERSIBILITY OF FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES Dramatic decline in family size unlikely to be reversed: permanent erosion of lifetime domesticity as an ideal Traditional marriage stability unlikely to be restored Women’s labor force participation unlikely to be reversed Women’s participation in powerful and influential positions unlik ely to decline

1. IRREVERSIBILITY OF FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES Dramatic decline in family size unlikely to be reversed: permanent erosion of lifetime domesticity as an ideal Traditional marriage stability unlikely to be restored Women’s labor force participation unlikely to be reversed Women’s participation in powerful and influential positions unlikely to decline

1. IRREVERSIBILITY OF FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES Dramatic decline in family size unlikely to be reversed: permanent erosion of lifetime domesticity as an ideal Traditional marriage stability unlikely to be restored Women’s labor force participation unlikely to be reversed Women’s participation in powerful and influential positions unlikely to decline. Degendering of traditional roles unlikely to be reversed

1. IRREVERSIBILITY OF FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES Dramatic decline in family size unlikely to be reversed: permanent erosion of lifetime domesticity as an ideal Traditional marriage stability unlikely to be restored Women’s labor force participation unlikely to be reversed Women’s participation in powerful and influential positions unlikely to decline Degendering of traditional roles unlikely to be reversed

2. The problem of Winners & Losers Gender equality expands opportunities and freedom of choice for women in general, BUT Gender equality imposes costs on some women and erodes some of the security that comes with traditional female dependency. Certain ways of life, valued by many women and men, are threatened by gender equality. Men have contradictory interests with respect to gender inequality: men have much to gain from gender equality, but some losses as well. Gains for men = opening up of choices around parenting & work; the cult of masculinity blocks the full development of personhood in men. Losses = more competition for higher-level jobs; end of gender-based privileges.

2. The problem of Winners & Losers Gender equality expands opportunities and freedom of choice for women in general, BUT Gender equality imposes costs on some women and erodes some of the security that comes with traditional female dependency. Certain ways of life, valued by many women and men, are threatened by gender equality. Men have contradictory interests with respect to gender inequality: men have much to gain from gender equality, but some losses as well. Gains for men = opening up of choices around parenting & work; the cult of masculinity blocks the full development of personhood in men. Losses = more competition for higher-level jobs; end of gender-based privileges.

2. The problem of Winners & Losers Gender equality expands opportunities and freedom of choice for women in general, BUT Gender equality imposes costs on some women and erodes some of the security that comes with traditional female dependency. Certain ways of life, valued by many women and men, are threatened by gender equality. Men have contradictory interests with respect to gender inequality: men have much to gain from gender equality, but some losses as well. Gains for men = opening up of choices around parenting & work; the cult of masculinity blocks the full development of personhood in men. Losses = more competition for higher-level jobs; end of gender-based privileges.

2. The problem of Winners & Losers Gender equality expands opportunities and freedom of choice for women in general, BUT Gender equality imposes costs on some women and erodes some of the security that comes with traditional female dependency. Certain ways of life, valued by many women and men, are threatened by gender equality. Men have contradictory interests with respect to gender inequality: men have much to gain from gender equality, but some losses as well. Gains for men = opening up of choices around parenting & work; the cult of masculinity blocks the full development of personhood in men. Losses = more competition for higher-level jobs; end of gender-based privileges.

2. The problem of Winners & Losers Gender equality expands opportunities and freedom of choice for women in general, BUT Gender equality imposes costs on some women and erodes some of the security that comes with traditional female dependency. Certain ways of life, valued by many women and men, are threatened by gender equality. Men have contradictory interests with respect to gender inequality: men have much to gain from gender equality, but some losses as well. Gains for men = opening up of choices around parenting & work; the cult of masculinity blocks the full development of personhood in men. Losses = more competition for higher-level jobs; end of gender-based privileges.

3. Imagine two possible worlds World #1 = Sweden World #2 = USA Average wages of men and women are about the same Good quality childcare is provided by the government or employers free or at low cost Generous paid parental leave for caregiving emergencies and early infant care Average wages of women are 75-80% of wages of men No childcare is provided by government or employers; private daycare is expensive or of poor quality no paid parental leave for caregiving emergencies or early infant care

3. Imagine two possible worlds World #1 = Sweden World #2 = USA Average wages of men and women are about the same Good quality childcare is provided by the government or employers free or at low cost Generous paid parental leave for caregiving emergencies and early infant care Average wages of women are 75-80% of wages of men No childcare is provided by government or employers; private daycare is expensive or of poor quality no paid parental leave for caregiving emergencies or early infant care

3. Imagine two possible worlds World #1 = Sweden World #2 = USA Average wages of men and women are about the same Good quality childcare is provided by the government or employers free or at low cost Generous paid parental leave for caregiving emergencies and early infant care Average wages of women are 75-80% of wages of men No childcare is provided by government or employers; private daycare is expensive or of poor quality no paid parental leave for caregiving emergencies or early infant care

3. Imagine two possible worlds World #1 = Sweden World #2 = USA Average wages of men and women are about the same Good quality childcare is provided by the government or employers free or at low cost Generous paid parental leave for caregiving emergencies and early infant care Average wages of women are 75-80% of wages of men No childcare is provided by government or employers; private daycare is expensive or of poor quality no paid parental leave for caregiving emergencies or early infant care

Legally required Paid Parental Leaves in Various Countries

4. Three reforms Pay Equity: equal pay for comparable work Quality public provision of childcare in neighborhoods and workplaces Generous paid parental leaves

4. Three reforms Pay Equity: equal pay for comparable work Removes one source of gender inequality Caregiving work becomes more attractive to men Increases women’s bargaining power in the home over domestic division of labor

4. Three reforms 2. Public provision of high quality childcare Opens choices for work/family balance Reduces class inequalities in opportunities for women Makes bargaining within families over division of labor easier

4. Three reforms 3. Paid parental leave: three forms Maternal leaves Parental leaves giving to families to divide Mother & Father parental leaves given to individuals

The Family Ideals and Fallback Positions of Young Men and Women