Sociology 125 Lecture 18 Gender April 3, 2018
I. GENDER & NATURE
Definitions of Sex & Gender Sex = a biological distinction based on roles in the process of biological reproduction Gender = a social distinction between roles and expectations linked to sex. Gender is the social transformation of a biological difference – sex – into a social difference. Gender norms are the rules of appropriate behavior and roles for men and women.
Definitions of Sex & Gender Sex = a biological distinction based on roles in the process of biological reproduction Gender = a social distinction between roles and expectations linked to sex. Gender is the social transformation of biological attributes – sex – into a social difference. Gender norms are the rules of appropriate behavior and roles for men and women.
The intensity of caregiving behavior 2. What is Natural? I. Existing distribution of caregiving in a world with strong gender norms Low High The intensity of caregiving behavior
The intensity of caregiving behavior 2. What is Natural? I. Existing distribution of caregiving in a world with strong gender norms Women Low High The intensity of caregiving behavior
The intensity of caregiving behavior 2. What is Natural? I. Existing distribution of caregiving in a world with strong gender norms Men Women Low High The intensity of caregiving behavior
Gender gap in caregiving The intensity of caregiving behavior 2. What is Natural? I. Existing distribution of caregiving in a world with strong gender norms Gender gap in caregiving Men Women Low High The intensity of caregiving behavior
2. What is Natural? I. Existing distribution of caregiving in a world with strong gender norms II. Hypothetical distributions of caregiving in a world with weak gender norms Gender gap in caregiving Men Women Low High Low High The intensity of caregiving behavior The intensity of caregiving behavior
2. What is Natural? I. Existing distribution of caregiving in a world with strong gender norms II. Hypothetical distributions of caregiving in a world with weak gender norms Gender gap in caregiving Gender gap in caregiving Women Men Men Women Low High Low High The intensity of caregiving behavior The intensity of caregiving behavior
II. THE EMPIRICAL STORY: MASSIVE TRANSFORMATIONS IN THREE GENERATIONS
Seven important elements of transformations of gender relations Legal Rights Labor force participation Occupational Structure & Income Power Family structure Domestic division of labor Sexuality Cultural Degendering
1. Legal Rights
Legal Rights gained by women in 20th Century Right to vote (1920) Equal right to divorce (gradually since 1940s) Reproductive rights (1973, but eroding) Equal rights to university admission (1960s) Equal rights to all jobs (1960s) Equal rights to participate in sports (1972) Equal right to participate in all military roles (2016)
2. Labor Force Participation
2. Labor Force Participation Rates of Married Women with Children, 1880-2011
3. Occupational Structure & Income
% of People in Selected Traditionally Male Professions who are Women, 1930, 1960, 1990, 2000, 2011
% Enrollments in Medical & Law Schools who are women, 1949-2015 2014-2015
Selected Highly Gender-Segregated Jobs % of Women in Selected Highly Gender-Segregated Jobs 1970 2011 Secretary 98.1% 95.4% RN 97.8% 91.1% Dental Assistant 98.6% 95.8% Carpenter 1.6% 2.1% Airline pilot 4.9% auto mechanic 1.3%
Men’s and Women’s median wages, 1973-2011 Women’s wages = 63% of men’s wages Women’s wages = 84% of men’s wages
4. Power
% of corporate officers and CEOs who are women
Women elected officials, 1979-2013
Women in national legislatures, 2013 (%)
5. Family Structure
% of Households that consist of a Married Couple Single person
who have Never Married, 1940-2010 % of Women ages 30-34 who have Never Married, 1940-2010 31.8% 14.3% 6.9%
End of WWII The Great Depression No-fault divorce laws
6. Domestic Division of Labor
Time devoted per week on routine housework by mothers and fathers in homes with children
Time spent per week on child care for fathers and mothers in homes with children Ratio 1.9:1 Ratio 4.0:1 Ratio 2.5:1 mothers fathers
7. Sexuality
Public Support for Same-Sex Marriages, 1996-2014
Age gradient in support for same-sex marriage
Seven important elements of transformations of gender relations Legal Rights Labor force participation Occupational Structure & Income Power Family structure Domestic division of labor Sexuality Cultural Degendering
8. Cultural Degendering