flashcards
(29 cards)
Gender
A social Construct that leads to learned behavior
Agents of socialization
Transmission of physical, mental, social skills, necessary for survival. Very crucial in infancy and childhood for the development of self-identity
1st Agent of Socialization
Family – teach dominant cultural ideologies, expectations, subcultural norms. Longest Lasting effects on religion, social class, interest, skills and gender.
Even prior to the baby’s birth, families tie a lot of norms to the baby depending on the gender which continues as the child is raised: types of toys (dolls vs cars), clothes (blue vs pink), names (feminine/masculine/unisex)
2nd Agent of Socialization
Schools – For children this typically is their 1st introduction to what could be people of different backgrounds (race, religion, social class, etc.). Microcosms of wider society – they start to understand social meanings attached to demographics.
Schools transmit dominant culture expectations, ideologies, norms to children.
“Hidden curriculum” (in school)
Things taught unnoticed: patriotism, respect for authority, punctuality, following directions, gender behaviors/roles/expectations, etc.
3rd Agent of Socialization
Peers – usually people with a lot of commonalities - “force” conformity to their subculture norms, beliefs and expectations.
While family has longest-lasting effect/influence on us, peers have the most immediate influence. Seeking the approval, opinion… of peer groups more so than family becomes more pronounced as one comes into adolescence
– also heavily influence gender norms (boys and girls police behaviors and expectations)
4th Agent of Socialization
Media – Depiction of “ideal” images in relation to gender transmits messages of what is and isn’t expected.
Whether the media (social or otherwise) is purposely or not purposely perpetuating stereotypes – generalizations.
This is the most powerful agent of socialization because Media is inescapable, and this has become more true with electronic technology/media
5th Agent of Socialization
Religion - Social Construct – 2nd oldest social institution -
“Moral Compass”: teaches values, optimism, purpose, sense of belonging, security…
All mainstream denominations of all religions are patriarchal – male dominated – from the physical structure of church —-> to the ideology itself – women are in subordinate positions to men in authority and power. The more conservative and fundamental any religion the more likely they are going to promote “traditional” gender norms.
6th Agent of Socialization
Workplace – 2/3 of one’s lifetime
Biological Determinism
Umbrella Term - encompasses all theories that contend/refute gender is “natural” - is biological because Prior to adolescence (puberty) boys & girls have same levels of testosterone but boys tend to be or encouraged to be more aggressive & show less emotion
Gender Inequality variable 1
To what degree is “women’s work” (elementary edu./domestic daycare) central to the economy?
Gender Inequality variable 2
To what degree do girls/women have access to formal education?
Gender Inequality variable 3
To what degree are cultural norms conducive to men’s contribution to traditional women’s role - (primary care of children) ?
What are the expected gender roles?
Gender Inequality variable 4
To what degree is the paid labor force segregated by sex - pink collar occupations: professions which are predominately saturated by women - in typically subordinate positions (which equals lower wage status)
Gender Inequality variable 5
To what Degree do dominant ideological/religions support for gender equality?
Gender Inequality variable 6
To what Degree are women in positions of formal authority and power?
Arlie Hochschild
Sociologist that coined the term “second shift” - women who are in paid labor force fulltime and are primarily responsible for unpaid labor at home
Deviance
any act that violates a norm (expected sets of behaviors, folkways, mores, laws), all crime is deviant, however, not all deviance is criminal
Labeling Theory
Howard Becker - (applicable to macro and micro levels) and falls under symbolic interactionism:
Micro level application; when an authority preconceives an individual/category of people behaviors, eventually some may assume the role of the label and a self-fulfilling prophecy occurs. Others surrounding this individual within that person’s social circle will respond to and interact with that labelled individual according to what is expected, to the stigma.
(I DIDNT TAKE NOTES FOR MACRO LEVEL APPLICATION)
Feminism
gained traction in the 1970s on a national level. Belief system built into a movement which argues primarily that the status, opportunities available and resources should be increased to equal of those of men’s positions of equal standing. Gender equality is a social issue not a women’s issue
Liberal Feminism
gender equality can be achieved through legislative changes - responsible for passing Title IX, federal statutes against: sexual harassment, domestic violence
Radical Feminism
Reason in which gender inequality exists is due to Patriarchal system within all social institutions.
Human Capital Theory
Women will be paid less salary than male counterpart, not get promoted nor get consideration for promotions/title changes, maternity leave …. justified because the “reasoning” women are less reliable, less loyal to the corporation.
This is because: Women as a category have higher absenteeism compared to counterparts, have larger gaps of time/space in their work history. Women generally takes longer for graduate degrees.
Deviance
any action that violates a norm
