Gender & Families Introduction to Family Studies

Gender & Families Individuals and families are influenced by larger social forces that we may not always notice Individuals and families are influenced by larger social forces that we may not always notice What role does gender play in families? What role does gender play in families?

Gender & Families The distinction between male and female, masculine and feminine is basic to the study of families The distinction between male and female, masculine and feminine is basic to the study of families  All societies exhibit a sharp distinction between what women and men do in families  All cultures have divide family labor and roles based on gender

Gender Theory Gender theory argues that differences between men and women are socially constructed or created to Gender theory argues that differences between men and women are socially constructed or created to And these differences help maintain power of men over women. And these differences help maintain power of men over women. Emphasizes culture, rather than biology. Emphasizes culture, rather than biology. In other words being feminine or masculine is learned and created through our social interactions In other words being feminine or masculine is learned and created through our social interactions

Sex & Gender Sociologists distinguish between sex and gender Sex: refers to the biological attributes that distinguish females from males such as: chromosomes, hormones, and anatomical apparatus Gender: refers to the cultural and social meanings, experiences, and characteristics that are defined as appropriate for females and males i.e. different clothing, expectations of who can cry

Gender Theory Because gender is a SOCIAL construction it is fluid or always changing Because gender is a SOCIAL construction it is fluid or always changing Then….

Gender Theory Because gender is a SOCIAL construction it is fluid or always changing Because gender is a SOCIAL construction it is fluid or always changing Now…

Sex

Sex is biological Sex is biological Gender is a social creation Gender is a social creation Sociologists argue that gender is “socially constructed” or created Sociologists argue that gender is “socially constructed” or created In other words men and women learn many masculine and feminine behaviors though socialization In other words men and women learn many masculine and feminine behaviors though socialization Sex & Gender

Social Construction of Gender Why do sociologists argue that gender is socially constructed? Why do sociologists argue that gender is socially constructed? 1)Expectations of each gender vary from society to another Example: In Pakistan it is common for male friends to hold hands but this is not common among American men. 2)Gender behaviors vary within one culture at different points in time 2)Gender behaviors vary within one culture at different points in time Example: Men ’ s fashions in 17 th century America were much more “ feminine ” compared to men ’ s fashions today.

Social Construction of Gender Why do sociologists argue that gender is socially constructed? Why do sociologists argue that gender is socially constructed? 3) The meanings of masculinity and femininity change over the course of a person’s life. 3) The meanings of masculinity and femininity change over the course of a person’s life. Example: The meaning of femininity changes as women age – compare pre-pubescent girls to women who are of childbearing age or who are postmenopausal

Sociological Perspectives on Gender How are gender roles acquired & how is gender constructed? How are gender roles acquired & how is gender constructed? Gender role approach focuses on the how parents, and other social institutions transmit gendered expectations about appropriate behavior through socialization Gender role approach focuses on the how parents, and other social institutions transmit gendered expectations about appropriate behavior through socialization Socialization is the process by which individuals acquire society’s norms and values Socialization is the process by which individuals acquire society’s norms and values Socialization is a life long process Socialization is a life long process

Sociological Perspectives on Gender West and Zimmerman ‘Doing Gender’ West and Zimmerman ‘Doing Gender’ Argue that we need to be continually “resocialized” into gender roles or reminded how to act like a man or act like a woman Argue that we need to be continually “resocialized” into gender roles or reminded how to act like a man or act like a woman Gender is produced through interaction Gender is produced through interaction For example: in families – doing housework is “doing gender” For example: in families – doing housework is “doing gender” Men and women reinforce gender roles by doing gender appropriate household work Men and women reinforce gender roles by doing gender appropriate household work

Doing Gender in Families

Sociological Perspectives on Gender West and Zimmerman ‘Doing Gender’ West and Zimmerman ‘Doing Gender’ They argue that gender is a “routine accomplishment” embedded in every day interaction They argue that gender is a “routine accomplishment” embedded in every day interaction In other words, we are continually acting out being a man or being a woman in social situations In other words, we are continually acting out being a man or being a woman in social situations Gender emerges from an interaction or a social situation Gender emerges from an interaction or a social situation

POP QUIZ What percent of women (over age 16) are in the PAID labor force (employed) What percent of women (over age 16) are in the PAID labor force (employed) A. 40 percent A. 40 percent B. 50 percent B. 50 percent C. 60 percent C. 60 percent Answer C Answer C Source: U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Source: U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

POP QUIZ What percent of women who enroll in college, graduate? What percent of women who enroll in college, graduate? A. 45 percent A. 45 percent B. 60 percent B. 60 percent C. 75 percent C. 75 percent Answer: B Answer: B The rate is up to 11 percent lower for men The rate is up to 11 percent lower for men

POP QUIZ What percent of women age 40 – 44 with advanced or professional degrees are childless (childfree)? What percent of women age 40 – 44 with advanced or professional degrees are childless (childfree)? A. 12 percent A. 12 percent B. 20 percent B. 20 percent C. 27 percent C. 27 percent Answer 27 percent Answer 27 percent

Doing Gender?

Doing Gender Think of an example of a situation or interaction when you were “doing gender” Think of an example of a situation or interaction when you were “doing gender” Example “I was doing gender when I bought a pink outfit for my niece” Example “I was doing gender when I bought a pink outfit for my niece”

Women and Education n/07campus.html?scp=1&sq=The%20new% 20math%20on%20campus&st=cse n/07campus.html?scp=1&sq=The%20new% 20math%20on%20campus&st=cse n/07campus.html?scp=1&sq=The%20new% 20math%20on%20campus&st=cse n/07campus.html?scp=1&sq=The%20new% 20math%20on%20campus&st=cse American Council on Education: American Council on Education: ction=Press_Releases2&TEMPLATE=/CM/Co ntentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID= ction=Press_Releases2&TEMPLATE=/CM/Co ntentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID= ction=Press_Releases2&TEMPLATE=/CM/Co ntentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID= ction=Press_Releases2&TEMPLATE=/CM/Co ntentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=35338

Sociological Perspectives on Gender Taking your husbands name …. Taking your husbands name …. Some argue – it is just easier if couple and children have the same name – Some argue – it is just easier if couple and children have the same name – Others argue - isn’t changing your name on all legal documents confusing and time consuming? Others argue - isn’t changing your name on all legal documents confusing and time consuming? And why is it almost always women who change their names to their husbands’ name? And why is it almost always women who change their names to their husbands’ name? This is a holdover from older patriarchal customs This is a holdover from older patriarchal customs

Summary Summary Summary Acting in gender appropriate ways reinforces gender differences Acting in gender appropriate ways reinforces gender differences  Sociologists argue that gender is socially constructed through economic and social constraints on women’s behavior and their ability to achieve equality with men

Summary Summary Summary Gender is continuously constructed through everyday interaction Gender is continuously constructed through everyday interaction Men’s power is embedded in the social structure Men’s power is embedded in the social structure Gender and families are intertwined Gender and families are intertwined Families are a social institution in which gender is socially constructed Families are a social institution in which gender is socially constructed