1. Inequalities in Gender and Sexual Orientation
Chapter 9

2. Gender Inequality: The Problem in Sociological Perspective
Gender Inequality and sexism is still pervasive in our society, therefore it is a social problem
Sexism refers to the belief that one sex is innately superior to the other and the discrimination that results
SEX is biological and GENDER is learned. We learn to “do” gender based on what our culture defines as normal.
gender norms and expectations vary from culture to culture

3. Major Areas of Gender Inequality in the U.S.
Politics
Since 1789 nearly 1,900 men have served in the U.S Senate and only 34 women
Education
100 years ago leading educators believed that a woman’s womb dominated her mental life
Economic
Today women earn 79 cents to every dollar a man makes
Social
Images in media and advertising that objectify women
This relates to politics in this week’s film Miss Representation

4. The 3 theories and gender: Symbolic Interactionism
Sex: the different biological equipment of males and females
Gender: how we express our “maleness” or “femaleness.” To sociologists gender is socially constructed
Socialization into gender roles
Most parents teach gender roles subconsciously
Stereotypes applied at birth tend to become reality through self-fulfilling prophecy

5. Symbolic Interactionism: Everyday Life
Masculinity and machismo represent strength while femininity is perceived as weakness.
Derogatory feminine terms
Most dismiss remarks as insignificant
Such comments reveal derogatory attitude toward women and things feminine
Attitude that women face as part of their everyday lives

6. Functionalism
The functionalists work to explain how male dominance has been “functional” for societies. They propose two theories
1. Rewards for warriors
innate differences in the physical strength of men and women meant men made better warriors
Warfare brought status and power to men; women often became the reward for men who were successful in battle
2. Reproduction
Throughout history, a woman has been encumbered because of child rearing making her physically unable to participate fully in the labor market and politics
Ultimate result was a patriarchal society (that persists)

7. Conflict Theory Principles of Power (male power in this case)
Power yields privilege.
Privileged lifestyles of powerful encourage them to feel they are superior beings.
To bolster their feelings of superiority, the powerful develop ideologies that justify their position.
As the powerful cling to their privileges, they use social institutions to maintain their power.

8. The Mass Media Children’s Books are more than entertainment
Help to shape gender roles
Children’s books are still stereotypical (but better than in the past). For example, research shows that these books still feature twice as many male characters, women are more likely to be shown indoors, men are shown to be more active and outdoors, and women are less likely to have an occupation
More powerful than picture books-- In kids’ cartoons women used to be portrayed as less intelligent, more dependent, and less brave. These images are changing, although women are still portrayed as more emotional than men
Feminists protest stereotypes
Stereotypes are restrictive because they teach us to have certain expectations in life. They put limits on what we think is possible
One gender stereotype continues to linger in children’s books--females are now portrayed as doing things that males do, but males are rarely portrayed as doing things that females do.

9. Mass Media
Adult television creates and reinforces stereotypes of gender, age, and sexuality
Male characters still vastly outnumber female characters by 2 to 1.
Television for adults often depict women as losing their sex appeal much earlier than men, and 9 out of 10 women on primetime TV are under the age of 46 (hardly a representation of reality)
Body image is key part of gender accomplishment
Television is effective in teaching what we “should” look like
Sociologists have found that most females on television are below average weight. This only feeds a society obsessed with an unattainable version of femininity.

10. Mass Media Music: research shows that:
Boys learn to dominate male–female relationships
Lyrics instruct girls to be sexy, passive, and dependent
Those who watch music videos hold more traditional sex-role stereotypes
Rap groups often glorify male sexual aggression and degrade women

11. The World of Politics The current situation
Women vastly underrepresented in political decision making
Why don’t women dominate politics?
About 8 million more women than men are of voting age
Women who vote outnumber men who vote by 9 million
A good answer appears to be socialization, including mass media (see Miss Representation)
Women and men view dominance as masculine; politics is a form of dominance; therefore, politics is masculine. This perception imposes severe restraints on women’s recruitment, participation, and performance in politics.
Sex roles are also very powerful. Women are underrepresented in law and business, the careers of politicians. The irregular hours required to run for elective office is incompatible with home life responsibilities. Women are also less likely to have a supportive spouse.
The good news is that these restrictive patterns are changing.

12. Who Controls U.S. Politics?

13. States with the most and fewest women in office

14. The World of Work The gender pay gap
At all ages and at all levels of education and no matter the type of work, the average man is paid more than the average woman (see the next slide)
Between the ages of 25 and 65, the average man who graduates from college earns about a million dollars ($1,100,000) more than the average woman who graduates from college!

16. The Gender Pay Gap Reasons for the gender pay gap
“Tracking” in education--women are more likely to choose a major that reflects traditional gender stereotypes
For example, men are more likely to major in engineering, physics, or business which typically lead to high paying jobs. Women are more likely to major in the fine arts, education, and social sciences, which lead to lower paying jobs.
The jobs with the highest concentration of women are dental hygienist (98.6%), preschool/kindergarten teacher (97%), admin assistant (97%) and nurse (94%) –although more men are pursuing a nursing degrees today because this IS a relatively high paying occupation.

17. Reasons for the gender pay gap
Women professionals, such as physicians, work fewer hours than men in same profession.
This is often for family reasons, such as to care for an aging parent or a small child (a traditional role for women)
One way this can work as a penalty for women is to consider the promotion process in the workplace. A man may appear more dedicated to his job and have more experience as a result of not having to take time off to care for children or parents. Thus, who looks like a better candidate for the promotion?
Above factors account for about half the pay gap
Other half may be attributed to gender discrimination
The Fuller-Schoenberger Study
Women had to have higher qualifications than men in order to be offered lower salaries!

18. Homosexuality Homosexual behavior
Sexual relations between people of the same sex
Homosexuality is a sexual orientation involving an attraction or preference for people of one’s own sex
Humans have a long history of homosexual behavior throughout the world.
Americans are consistently growing more tolerant of those practicing full-time homosexuality

19. These numbers have increased slightly in just in the past few years- and will continue to do so.

21. Homosexuals and the law
Until 1960 it was illegal in all states for people of the same sex to engage in sexual relations. In 2002 Texas and eleven other states still had these laws in effect. However, that year the Supreme Court in the court case Lawrence et al. vs. Texas struck the laws down.
Hate crimes-ordinary crimes motivated by dislike or hatred of the victim’s personal characteristics
Each year 1400 homosexuals are the victims of hate crimes.
Discrimination in the workplace
There is no federal law that prohibits employers from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation
Some companies and states have anti-discrimination policies that include sexual orientation, some don’t
A major victory for homosexuals, and for those who support equality for gays/lesbians, was the the repeal of the “don’t ask don’t tell” policy in September of Gays and Lesbians are now free to serve openly in the military.

22. Homosexuality and Conflict Theory
Conflict theorist looks at who holds power, and in this case it is those who identify as heterosexual
Homosexuals still face overt discrimination
Differential treatment that is open and observable
Same-sex marriage (SSM)
Legally sanctioned marriage of two same-sex people
Currently Holland, Belgium, Canada, Norway, South Africa and Sweden recognize same-sex marriage.
10 U.S. states and the District of Columbia recognize same-sex marriage- however 40 states do not
Domestic partnership or civil union in not a legal marriage and does not carry the same privileges as marriage
Defense of Marriage Act
Fearing that civil unions might expand into legal marriage, voters in 26 states passed a constitutional amendment limiting marriage to one man and one woman. In 1996 congress passed a similar law called The Defense of Marriage Act. This law effectively denies federal benefits to married people of the same sex. States, however, can still decide their own rules for marriage
This is a social problem because homosexuals want full legal rights in all areas – legal marriages in all states and marriage that is recognized by the federal government.

23. Objective Conditions: Research on Sexuality in the U.S.
Source: Mosher, Chandra and Jones (2005)
Women
Men
Identify as gay/lesbian
2.3%
Identify as bisexual
1.8%
Identify as heterosexual
90%
Had homosexual or lesbian experience
11.1% 6%
Had sex with same sex partner in last year 4% 3%
Had sex with same sex partner and opposite sex partner in last year 1%
Sexually attracted to opposite sex only
86%
92%
Find the fantasy of homosexual or lesbian experience appealing
5.5%

24. Homosexuality and the Future
Two primary issues are generating controversy
Same Sex Marriage
Homosexuals who want to be open and serve as role models
i.e. Public school teachers
Military (this just happened)
Scout leaders
As you noticed on figure 9.3 on slide 20, 71% of young people between the ages of think that homosexual relations should be legal. As this population ages, homosexuality will likely become more accepted in our society. We can anticipate that equality is in the future, although it will continue to be a struggle .

25. The Future of Gender Relations
The world of work
As more and more women attend college and seek careers in medicine, law, and business, we will see less discrimination in the workplace
Breaking gender stereotypes?
Increasing numbers of women in the workforce are already changing gender stereotypes
More men are participating in child care and doing housework, and this is likely to increase
However depictions of men and women in the media are unequal and stereotypical- how long will it take for this to change?
New orientations
Ultimate possibility for the future is a new concept of the human personality
As these gender stereotypes continue to break down, men and women will feel less restricted by gender norms and more comfortable exploring their potential as human beings.