chapter 9 - gender inequality Flashcards
(41 cards)
sex
biological and anatomical differences, especially based on reproductive organs - distinguishing males from males
gender
socially formed traits of masculinity and femininity; presentation of self and social expectations
is sex or gender socially constructed?
gender
gender binary
classification of gender into two discrete and non-overlapping forms of masculine and feminine
nonbinary
a gender identity that does not fit squarely into the cultural binary; no exclusively masculine or feminine
transgender
expression of a gender identity that differs from that ascribed sex at birth
gender can be both
ascribed and achieved status; often a master status
why is the definition of gender dynamic?
changing norms, cross-cultural comparisons, changing gender roles, changing economy
gender nonconformity
considered deviant by some, nonconformity is norm-breaking
gender roles
refer to the range of behaviors that are generally considered acceptable, appropriate, or desirable for a person based on cultural norms
American families gender roles
1950s: nuclear family with women staying home and taking care of kids
1980-1990s: dual income households becoming more common
2000s-present: gender roles become more flexible women in leadership roles
women in the American workforce
labor force participation among women has increased dramatically over last century; but opportunity for women are less; PAY GAP
issues women still face in the workforce
different normative expectations, institutional discrimination, occupational segregation
different normative expectations
society often has different expectations for men and women, shaping career paths; told to prioritize family, nursing and teaching viewed as more appropriate for them
institutional discrimination
women often get less promotion esp if they’re mothers; women receive less job offers even w/ identical resumes as men
occupational segregation
horizontal segregation: Women are overrepresented in lower-paying, service-oriented jobs (e.g., retail, education, healthcare).
vertical segregation: Even within the same field, women are often in lower-ranking positions compared to men.
the second shift
balancing demands of work outside the home w/ work in home; role strain and conflict. women continue to do more housework despite working
decline of less educated men
major loss of ground among less educated men (no degree) in recent decades as measured by health and economic wellbeing variables
what is the decline of less educated men driven by?
low wages, high incarceration rates, decline in marriage; seen in falling labor force participation as well.
functionalist perspective on gender stratification
gender-role differentiation contributes to social stability and clarifies role expectations; helps define division of labor in economy and household
- talcott parsons
- children benefit from stable home of women at home and men at work
conflict perspective on gender stratification
gender relations characterized by unequal power; men hold greater power in most societies, gender inequality is a result of power differential
symbolic interactionist perspective on gender stratification
gender relations best understood by observing micro-level interactions
intersectionality
sociological perspective that holds multiple group memberships affect our lives in ways that are distinct from single group membership; experience of a Black female may be distinct from that of a white female
biological essentialism
certain characteristics, behaviors, or abilities are primarily determined by biology or genetics, rather than being shaped by social, cultural, or environmental factors
