FUNCTIONALIST gender Flashcards
(23 cards)
What are the studies for functionalist ?
- George Murdock
- parsons and Bales
- human capital theory
- Davis and Moore
According to Murdock, why are women located in the home ?
Due to Biological function of bearing children and physique being less able than men to do some tasks
What did Murdock conclude from his study ?
Gender division of labour was universal
Why is the gender division of labour universal according to Murdock ?
Because they were functional
What did Murdock conclude about his four functions (sexual, economic, education and reproductive) ?
They were Natural , men = economic, women = reproductive
According to Parsons and Bales, what is division of Roles?
Functional necessity
According to Parsons and Bales, why is division in roles a functional necessity?
Makes sure each partner specialises in role best suited for them
According to Parsons and Bales, what are the different roles ?
- expressive role and instrumental role
What is the expressive role according to parsons and Bales ?
- women role
- physchological and emotional need to children and husband
- stabilisation of adult personality, emotional support
What is the instrument role according to Parsons and Bales ?
Providing income for family
According to the human capital theory what is human capital ?
Refers to the ability to produce economically helpful labour
According to the human capital theory , what does this view support with functionalism ?
Meritocracy
According to the human capital theory, how does this link to meritocracy?
Men and women serve different roles but rewarded differently
According to the human capital theory , how are men ?
Men are more work oriented
According to the human capital theory, because men are more work-oriented what does it mean?
They earn more and have more human capital
According to the human capital theory, how are women ?
Women prioritise role as homemakers and family more than Career
Due to Women prioritise role as homemakers and family more than Career , what does this mean ?
Not a lot of human capital
According to the human capital theory , How does this promote gender inequality ?
Women develop low levels of human capital
According to Davis and Moore , what are the two ways women face inequality?
Functional uniqueness and degree of dependence
What is functional uniqueness according to Davis and Moore ?
A position is functionally unique if one person or a small group of people can carry out the role
What is degree of dependence according to Davis and Moore ?
High number of people relying on the person
According to Davis and Moore why do women face inequality?
Women lack these skills
What are the evaluation of functionalism ?
- ignoring intersectionality = focus on middle class not black , disabled
- glass cellar = ignores how men get the worse jobs e.g safety , pay because naturally suited
- outdated and sexist = family is less gender socialised
