Economics of Gender Chapter 1 Assist.Prof.Dr.Meltem INCE YENILMEZ

Introduction What is this course about? – Women and their economic lives – Focusing on marriage, fertility and the labor force decisions of women – Explaining changes over time and variation across women within their decisions

Changes in Women's Lives Since 1960

Why to Focus on Women? Most economics courses are about men From an economic standpoint, women are more interesting Topics are of a more personal nature and therefore easy to relate to

Economic Analysis Mainstream Economics – Microeconomic analysis: Constrained optimization Called neoclassical economics Theories to explain Focus on the positive versus the normative

Basic Sociological Concepts All social interaction is gendered Status or Role? – Sociologically, status refers to a social position – Role refers to the expected behavior of a person occupying a particular status or position Norms – Shared rules that guide behavior within a status

Sociological Distinctions of Sex & Gender Sex – Biological – We are Male or Female – Ascribed status Gender – Social, cultural, and psychological – Masculine or Feminine – Achieved status

Theoretical Perspectives: Parson & Bales’ Functionalism Basic Ideas – “Macro” perspective – Interdependent parts – Social stability – Balance – Equilibrium – Value consensus holds society together

Theoretical Perspectives: Marx & Engels’ Conflict Theory Basic Ideas – Class based struggle for power and control – Scarce resources – The dominant want to maintain and increase resources and power – The dominated want to gain power and resources

Theoretical Perspectives: Blumer’s Symbolic Interactionism Basic Ideas – “Micro” perspective – Social interaction is a dynamic process – Importance of meaning in interactions – Definition of the situation – End point fallacy – Context of the social interaction – Social construction of reality

Feminist Sociological Theory Bridges micro-macro gap Illuminates androcentric bias Challenges a status quo that is disadvantageous to women Compatible with Conflict Theory in emphasizing empowerment of women Compatible with Symbolic Interactionism in definition of the situation and in impression management

Liberal Feminism Moderate or mainstream feminism Cause of women’s oppression – Lack of access to equal opportunity Solutions – Education and Achievement Discussion: What critiques do you have of liberal feminism?

Cultural Feminism Incorporated into other branches Cause of women’s oppression – Feminine qualities are not valued Solution – Emphasize the positive qualities associated with women’s roles Discussion: What critiques do you have of cultural feminism?

Socialist Feminism Based on Marxist model Causes of women’s oppression – Capitalism and patriarchy Solutions – Do away with capitalism, private property, and patriarchy – Men should renounce their privilege Discussion: What critiques do you have of socialist feminism?

Radical Feminism Causes of women’s oppression – Sexism and male domination Solutions – Separate institutions – Woman-identified society Discussion: What critiques do you have of radical feminism?

Multicultural & Global Feminism Causes of women’s oppression – Intersection of gender, race, social class, and colonization – Historical and cultural factors Solution – Empowerment of women across the globe Discussion: What critiques do you have of multicultural and global feminism?

Ecofeminism Newer branch of feminism Cause of women’s oppression – Patriarchal domination upset earth’s ecosystem Solution – Equality of all living things, through political action Discussion: What critiques do you have of ecofeminism?

Feminism and the Media Media reinforces feminist stereotype – Emphasize disagreements between feminists – Seen as a joke or contempt is displayed Election 2008 and sexism in media portrayals of: – Hillary Rodham Clinton – Sarah Palin – Michelle Obama