final exam

Question 1

What is marriage’s role in defining family

Answer 1

Marriage defines family structures by providing legal, social, and economic recognition of relationships, especially for inheritance, taxation, and parental rights.

Question 2

How does the law regulate marriage in the United States?

Answer 2

Marriage is regulated by state laws for requirements like age and consent, and federal laws for aspects like taxation, social security, and spousal benefits.

Question 3

How has the legacy of patriarchy influenced last names, titles, domicile/household arrangements, and divorce?

Answer 3

Patriarchy has led to women traditionally taking husbands’ last names, assuming domestic roles, and facing biased divorce laws that favored men in custody and property decisions.

Question 4

How has marriage changed over time in terms of rates, age at marriage, who marries whom, and divorce, and how has this affected household types, family sizes, and parenthood?

Answer 4

Marriage Rates: Decreased overall, with more people choosing not to marry or delaying marriage until later in life.

Age at Marriage: People are marrying later, often due to extended education, career focus, and financial stability.

Who Marries Whom: Interracial, interethnic, and same-sex marriages have become more common, reflecting broader social acceptance and legal changes.

Divorce: Divorce rates spiked in the 1970s but have stabilized in recent decades, with some arguing that fewer marriages are ending in divorce due to people marrying later and being more selective.

Question 5

How have partnerships (both married and unmarried), parenthood, and domestic responsibilities changed over time in the United States?

Answer 5

Marriage rates have declined, and the average age at marriage has risen. This has led to smaller, more diverse families and later or non-marriage parenthood.

Question 6

How does the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) relate to parenthood, family and partnerships?

Answer 6

FMLA allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for family and medical reasons without job loss, helping balance work and caregiving.

Question 7

How do formal and informal regulations of reproduction differ for males and females in the United States?

Answer 7

Women’s reproductive rights are more regulated by law (e.g., abortion, contraception), while men face fewer restrictions on their reproductive choices.

Question 8

What types of contraception are available to and commonly used by males and females in the United States?

Answer 8

Females use birth control pills, IUDs, implants, and emergency contraception; males commonly use condoms, with fewer contraceptive options available to them.

Question 9

What is the current state of access to and the rules regarding surgical and non-surgical abortion in the United States?

Answer 9

Access to abortion varies by state. Roe v. Wade was overturned, and many states have imposed restrictions, though some maintain broad access.

Question 10

How do definitions of masculinity influence attitudes about family size, gender composition of children, and the regulation of girls’ and women’s sexual and reproductive lives?

Answer 10

Traditional masculinity often favors large families and male children, and supports restrictive policies on women’s reproductive rights.

Question 11

What are the different interests considered in the regulation of girls’ and women’s sexual and reproductive lives, including those of girls and women, boys and men, religion, government, and medicine & healthcare?

Answer 11

Interests include women’s rights, men’s influence, religious beliefs, government policies, and healthcare providers’ roles in delivering services.

Question 12

What are the key issues of concern in maternal healthcare around the world?

Answer 12

Key issues include limited access to healthcare, high maternal mortality, inadequate prenatal care, and unsafe delivery practices.

Question 13

What is the global state of maternal mortality, and what factors contribute to it?

Answer 13

High maternal mortality is found in developing countries, due to poor healthcare, lack of skilled workers, and poverty.

Question 14

What barriers do girls and women face in accessing contraception and maternity care in different parts of the world?

Answer 14

Barriers include cost, cultural opposition, lack of services, and legal restrictions.

Question 15

How do beliefs and practices surrounding abortion differ across cultures and countries, and what impact does this have on girls’ and women’s reproductive health?

Answer 15

Abortion laws and practices vary widely, with restrictive policies leading to unsafe abortions and poor health outcomes in some regions.

Question 16

What is the history of the women’s suffrage movement in the United States?

Answer 16

The women’s suffrage movement fought for the right to vote, culminating in the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920.

Question 17

What were the major periods of activity in the women’s suffrage movement?

Answer 17

Major periods include the mid-19th century, the early 20th century push for a national amendment, and post-WWI efforts.

Question 18

What were the key issues and concerns during the women’s suffrage movement, and how did divisions among suffragists manifest?

Answer 18

Issues included voting rights and gender equality, with divisions over tactics, race, and alliances with other movements like abolition.

Question 19

What approaches to change were taken by suffragists in the U.S.?

Answer 19

Suffragists used lobbying, marches, civil disobedience, and legal challenges, with some adopting radical tactics like hunger strikes.

Question 20

How did women’s suffrage efforts evolve from state and territorial levels to the federal level?

Answer 20

Women’s suffrage began at the state level in the mid-1800s, with early victories in the West. In the late 1800s, national organizations like NAWSA formed to push for federal action. By the 1910s, more radical tactics led by Alice Paul shifted focus to a constitutional amendment, which passed in 1919 and was ratified in 1920, granting women the right to vote.

Question 21

What role did key organizations such as the AERA play in the suffrage movement?

Answer 21

AERA (American Equal Rights Association): Formed in 1866, it sought equal rights for both women and African Americans. It split in 1869 over whether to prioritize women’s or Black men’s suffrage.

Question 22

What role did key organizations such as the AWSA play in the suffrage movement?

Answer 22

AWSA (American Woman Suffrage Association): Founded in 1869, it focused on winning women’s suffrage state by state through gradual, moderate efforts.

Question 23

What role did key organizations such as the NWSA play in the suffrage movement?

Answer 23

NWSA (National Woman Suffrage Association): Also formed in 1869, it took a radical, federal approach, advocating for a constitutional amendment and broader women’s rights.

Question 24

What role did key organizations such as the NAWSA play in the suffrage movement?

Answer 24

NAWSA (National American Woman Suffrage Association): Created in 1890 from the merger of AWSA and NWSA, it combined state and federal strategies, becoming the largest suffrage group and leading the push for the 19th Amendment.

Question 25

What role did key organizations such as the NWP play in the suffrage movement?

Answer 25

NWP (National Woman’s Party): Founded in 1916 by Alice Paul, it used militant tactics like picketing the White House, focusing on a federal amendment to secure the vote.

Question 26

Why was the Civil Rights Act of 1964 important as a foundation for future legislation affecting women's rights and gender equality?

Answer 26

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited discrimination based on sex (along with race and other factors), laying the groundwork for future gender equality laws.

Question 27

How has women’s voting behavior changed since the 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920, including trends in voter registration, turnout, and voting patterns?

Answer 27

Women's voting participation has increased over time, with a steady rise in voter registration and turnout, and they tend to lean more Democratic in recent decades.

Question 28

What are some of the general factors that divide women in terms of political participation and attitudes?

Answer 28

Factors include race, class, age, geographic location, and political ideology, which affect women's voting behavior and policy preferences.

Question 29

How do women participate as donors in political campaigns, and how does their financial support compare to that of men?.

Answer 29

Women donate less than men but have been increasing their contributions, particularly to candidates supporting women’s rights and progressive causes.

Question 30

What is the gender gap in political knowledge, and how does it affect women's engagement in politics?

Answer 30

Women tend to have lower political knowledge than men, which can reduce their political participation and influence, although the gap is narrowing.

Question 31

How does gender socialization impact women’s leadership development and interest in political participation?

Answer 31

Gender socialization often discourages women from pursuing leadership roles and political careers, framing leadership as a male domain, though this is changing.

Question 32

What cultural messages influence public attitudes about women in politics and their leadership roles?

Answer 32

Cultural stereotypes about women being less competent in leadership roles, coupled with media portrayals, shape public attitudes and affect women's chances of political success.

Question 33

How does occupational segregation contribute to the challenges women face in pursuing leadership positions and engaging in politics?

Answer 33

Women are often concentrated in lower-status, lower-paying jobs, limiting their leadership experience and access to political networks and resources.

Question 34

What is the history of girls' and women's education in the United States?

Answer 34

Women’s education was historically limited to domestic skills, but the 19th and 20th centuries saw increasing access to public schools, higher education, and professional training.

Question 35

How have historic events influenced changes in education for girls and women?

Answer 35

Key events like the women’s suffrage movement, World War II (which led to increased women’s participation in the workforce), and the feminist movement in the 1960s and 1970s expanded educational opportunities.

Question 36

How do gender roles reflect the education of girls and women, both in the past and present?

Answer 36

Historically, girls were steered toward "feminine" subjects (e.g., home economics), while today, women have more access to a wide range of fields, though gender stereotypes persist in some disciplines.

Question 37

What were some of the main arguments against educating girls and women historically?

Answer 37

Arguments included the belief that women’s place was in the home, that education would interfere with their roles as wives and mothers, and concerns over their emotional and physical capacities.

Question 38

What are the key arguments in favor of educating girls and women?

Answer 38

Education promotes equality, improves economic independence, fosters better family and community outcomes, and empowers women to contribute to society and the workforce.

Question 39

What was women’s experience in higher education from the early periods to the era of coeducation?

Answer 39

Initially, women’s access to higher education was limited to a few colleges, often segregated by gender, but coeducation became more common in the late 19th and 20th centuries.

Question 40

How have trends in college degrees awarded to men and women evolved over time?

Answer 40

Women now earn more college degrees than men, with women representing the majority of students in higher education, though disparities persist in certain fields.

Question 41

What are the basics of Title IX (Nine) of the 1972 Educational Amendments Act, particularly regarding admissions, academic treatment, sports, and staff hiring/promotion?

Answer 41

Title IX prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs, impacting admissions, academics, sports, and the hiring/promotion of staff.

Question 42

How do equality and fairness doctrines influence policies regarding women’s employment in the United States?

Answer 42

Equality doctrines (like the Equal Pay Act and Civil Rights Act) mandate equal pay and opportunity, influencing policies on discrimination, wages, and workplace conditions.

Question 43

What is the history of women’s paid employment in the United States?

Answer 43

Women’s paid employment grew from necessity in the early 20th century, accelerated by WWII, and increased steadily with feminist movements in the 1960s and 1970s.

Question 44

How does women’s employment vary by age, race/ethnicity, motherhood, and marital status?

Answer 44

Employment varies significantly by race, age, and marital status, with married mothers often facing more barriers due to caregiving responsibilities and stereotypes.

Question 45

How has the gender gap in earnings evolved from the past to the present, and how does it vary by race/ethnicity?

Answer 45

The gender pay gap has narrowed but persists, with women earning about 80 cents to the dollar compared to men, with larger gaps for women of color.

Question 46

What are the implications of the gender gap in earnings for women’s Social Security, pensions, and other types of retirement income, given women’s longer life expectancy?

Answer 46

The gender gap in earnings leads to lower lifetime earnings, resulting in lower retirement savings and financial insecurity for women in retirement.

Question 47

What is the significance of key legislation like the Equal Pay Act of 1963, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, and others in shaping women’s employment rights?

Answer 47

These laws prohibit sex-based discrimination, including in pay, hiring, and pregnancy-related employment issues, helping to improve workplace equality.

Question 48

How do laws like the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 impact women’s rights in the workplace?

Answer 48

The FMLA (1993) lets women take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for family or health reasons without losing their job. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act (2009) helps women challenge unfair pay by allowing them to file complaints for each paycheck they receive.

Question 49

What protections exist against sexual harassment in the workplace, and what are the two major areas recognized in law?

Answer 49

Sexual harassment protections include prohibitions against quid pro quo harassment and hostile work environments under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

Question 50

What is the concept of "comparable worth," and how does it relate to wage equality?

Answer 50

Comparable worth argues that jobs of equal value (regardless of gender) should be paid equally, addressing the gender wage gap in traditionally female-dominated professions.

Question 51

What are the major obstacles to achieving equality in employment and income for women, including the glass ceiling, glass cliff, and issues like childcare?

Answer 51

Obstacles include the glass ceiling (limits on women’s career advancement), the glass cliff (higher risk roles for women in leadership), and lack of affordable childcare.

Question 52

What percentage of women currently serve in the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives?

Answer 52

As of 2024, women make up about 27% of the House of Representatives and about 25% of the U.S. Senate.

Question 53

How do the numbers of women in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives compare to historical figures?

Answer 53

The number of women in Congress has steadily increased, with historic milestones like the first female senator in 1922 and the first female speaker of the House in 2007.

Question 54

How do different electoral systems (majority, plurality, proportional representation, etc.) affect women's chances of entering a race and winning an election?

Answer 54

Majority/Two-Round: Women struggle due to the need for broad support. Plurality: Women face challenges in male-dominated districts. Proportional Representation (PR): Women have better chances with gender quotas and proportional seats. Mixed Systems: Combine local and proportional votes, offering more opportunities for women

Question 55

What is the difference between single-member districts and multi-member districts, and how do these systems impact female candidates?

Answer 55

Single-member districts (where one candidate wins) often make it harder for women to win due to entrenched incumbency and gender biases, whereas multi-member districts can allow for greater diversity and higher female representation.

Question 56

How does ranked choice voting influence the likelihood of women winning elections?

Answer 56

Ranked choice voting allows voters to rank candidates by preference, reducing the impact of strategic voting and increasing the chances of underrepresented groups, including women, winning elections.

Question 57

What are gender quotas in politics, and how do they vary between voluntary and mandatory quotas?

Answer 57

Gender quotas require a minimum percentage of female candidates in elections. Voluntary quotas are self-imposed by political parties, while mandatory quotas are legally required by governments.

Question 58

How do gender quotas impact women’s representation in politics?

Answer 58

Quotas significantly increase women’s representation, especially in countries with mandatory quotas, by ensuring that women have a fairer chance of being nominated and elected.

Question 59

How do female candidates perform when running as incumbents, challengers, or in open seats?

Answer 59

Female incumbents tend to perform well due to name recognition and established networks. Challengers face more barriers, but women in open-seat races can sometimes outperform expectations, especially with strong campaign support.

Question 60

What role does the perception of electability play in a woman's decision to run for office?

Answer 60

Perceptions of electability, influenced by gender stereotypes, can discourage women from running if they feel they are not perceived as "electable" or capable of winning.

Question 61

How does being asked to run impact a woman’s decision to run for office?

Answer 61

Being asked to run for office often boosts a woman’s confidence and makes her more likely to consider it. It signals that others believe in her abilities, which can encourage her to take the leap into politics.

Question 62

How does involvement in college/university student government influence a woman’s decision to run for office?

Answer 62

Participation in student government provides leadership experience and networking opportunities, which can help women develop the confidence and skills to run for higher office later.

Question 63

What is the role of female role models in encouraging women to run for political office?

Answer 63

Female role models help break down barriers, provide inspiration, and demonstrate that women can succeed in politics, motivating other women to pursue leadership roles.

Question 65

How does fundraising differ for female candidates compared to male candidates, and what impact does the gender gap in fundraising have on women's chances of winning?

Answer 65

Female candidates often face a fundraising disadvantage due to a smaller donor network, which can limit their ability to compete effectively, especially against male incumbents.

Question 66

How do stereotypes and media coverage affect female candidates during elections?

Answer 66

Women in politics are often subjected to gendered media coverage, where they may be judged more harshly on their appearance or demeanor than male candidates, reinforcing stereotypes about their leadership abilities.

Question 67

What are the different types of representation—formal, descriptive, symbolic, substantive, and surrogate—and how do they relate to women in politics?

Answer 67

Formal Representation: Women holding office and making decisions. Descriptive Representation: Having women in office to reflect the population. Symbolic Representation: Women in office inspiring others and symbolizing progress. Substantive Representation: Advocating for policies that benefit women. Surrogate Representation: Non-women advocating for women’s issues.

Question 68

How do the political ideologies of female candidates differ, and how do these ideologies shape their campaigns and political careers?

Answer 68

Female candidates come from various political ideologies, but those aligned with progressive causes often focus on issues like healthcare, education, and gender equality, while conservative women may emphasize family values and economic growth.

Question 69

What are the common leadership styles of female candidates, including command, cooperation/compromise, and consensus-building?

Answer 69

ommand: Direct and assertive decision-making. Cooperation/Compromise: Working with others to find solutions. Consensus-Building: Bringing people together to reach agreement.

Question 70

How does the output of female politicians in Congress (e.g., bills sponsored or cosponsored, legislation, etc.) compare to their male counterparts?

Answer 70

Female legislators often sponsor or cosponsor a larger number of bills related to social issues, such as healthcare, education, and women's rights, compared to their male counterparts.

Question 71

What is the current state of women’s participation as leaders of committees in Congress, and what factors contribute to this?

Answer 71

Women are still underrepresented in committee leadership, though they have made significant strides in recent years. Factors contributing include seniority, party support, and political networks.

Question 72

What are bipartisan legislative caucuses among female legislators, and what can they achieve?

Answer 72

Bipartisan caucuses, such as the Congressional Women's Caucus, allow female legislators to work together across party lines to advocate for shared issues, like reproductive rights and family policies.

Question 73

What are the advantages and disadvantages of publicly identifying as a feminist candidate or elected official?

Answer 73

Advantages include appealing to progressive voters and advancing gender equality, while disadvantages may include alienating conservative voters or being criticized for prioritizing "women's issues."

Question 74

What is the representation of women in cabinet positions and other high-profile government roles? How has this changed over time?

Answer 74

Women's representation in high-profile government positions has increased, though they remain underrepresented in roles like Secretary of Defense. Notable milestones include the first female Vice President, Kamala Harris.

Question 75

What is the current state of women’s representation in the judiciary, especially at the highest level (e.g., the U.S. Supreme Court)?

Answer 75

As of 2024, three women serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, a record high, and women make up a significant portion of lower federal court judges.

Question 76

How has the role of women in the military evolved, and what challenges do they face in achieving equality?

Answer 76

Women have gained greater access to combat roles and leadership positions, but challenges remain, including gender bias, sexual harassment, and underrepresentation in senior ranks.