1. Systems of Social Structure and Gender structure
Alexa Smithwrick
AP World History

2. What is social structure?
The people in a society considered as a system organized by a characteristic pattern of relationships. In other words, social structure is social organization based on established patterns of social interaction between different relationships. Social structure varies between countries and can play a key role in interaction between countries.

3. What Effect Does Social Structure Have?
Social structure has influence on all of the following:
Socialization
Status Expectations
Legal Regulations
Ideology

4. Comparing Social Structures
Below the social structures of America and India are compared. As you can see America’s social structure is based on economy, but India’s is based on profession and ancestry.
America
India
Upper Class -also referred to simply as the rich, is often considered to consist of those with great influence and wealth.
Brahmins- priests and other religious leaders
Upper Middle Class-consists of those who have autonomy in their work, above-average incomes, and advanced educations.
Kshatriyas-ruler, warrior, or a land owner
Middle Class-consisting of professionals or business owners who share a culture of domesticity and sub-urbanity.
Vaisyas- merchants
Lower Middle Class-consist of "semi-professionals" and lower level white collar employees
Sudras-artisans and agriculturalists
Lower Class or “Working Class”- lowest class, associated with poverty
Harijan-”outside” the caste system, otherwise know as untouchables

5. What Is Gender Structure?
It is the way that gender is embedded in the individual, interactional, and institutional dimensions of a For example in some parts of the world the man is considered the head of the house. This is a form of gender structure.

6. What Effect Does Gender Structure Have?
Gender Structure can effect all of the following:
Education
Marriage
Legal Rights
Profession

7. Comparing Gender Structures
Below the gender structures of America and Afghanistan are compared. The two are drastically different. This is due to that fact that the majority of the population of Afghanistan practices a Muslim faith. The Muslim faith is very restrictive to women.
America
Afghanistan
Education- In America women receive an education equal to that of men
Education- millions of girls have gained access to primary school during the last few years, but only 4% of females reach 10th grade
Marriage- In America the legal age to be married is 18. Arranged marriages existed in the 1700s and 1800s but are uncommon today
Marriage-arranged marriages are custom and females have little or no say. The girls are married young , sometimes at ages as young as 11.
Legal Rights- up until the 19th century women were unable to vote. Now women participate in the government and many hold influential government positions
Legal Rights-recently new laws have been passed in Afghanistan that says a wife has no right to deny her “husband rights” the legislation also grants guardianship of children exclusively to their fathers and grandfathers, and requires women to get permission from their husbands to work.
Profession-In the past most women were homemakers. Today there are female doctors, lawyers, judges, and professional athletes
Profession- New legislation in Afghanistan requires a woman to get permission from their husbands to work.