Gender and Inequality P.t I Flashcards
(26 cards)
What is the difference between sex and gender?
Sex is rooted in biology; gender is socially constructed
What is sex in a sociological context?
Sex refers to physical differences between males and females: to differences in male and female biology
What is gender?
Gender refers to the psychological, social, and cultural differences between males and females, including personality, goals, and social roles
What is gender role socialization?
The learning of gender roles through social factors such as schooling, the media, and family
What is doing gender?
Places gender as something
we do, rather than something we are…We are male or female because we engage in the practices associated with being male and female (West and Zimmerman 1987), e.g., how we walk, talk, dress, communicate, express our emotions, etc.
-If gender is done, it can also be undone, i.e., it is not fixed or immutable
-Different societies “do gender” differently
What is a gender binary?
Gender binary refers to the traditional concept of gender as being exclusively male or female.
What is gender fluidity?
Gender fluidity is a concept where a person’s gender identity can shift over time.
How does functionalism relate to gender and gender inequalities?
Functionalism says that society is made up of interdependent parts, and each
part has a role to play in the functioning of the social organism and that in relation to gender roles, by specializing in different tasks, men and women contribute to the overall stability and integration of society
How does feminism criticize functionalist theories about gender inequalities?
Feminism criticizes functionalism for naturalizing gender inequalities and ignoring power imbalances between the genders…
(The feminist theories that displaced functionalism in the 1960s and 70s centered gender inequality – though different feminisms proposed different explanations for inequality)
What is Liberal Feminism?
-Argues that gender inequalities are primarily rooted in social and cultural attitudes, rather than in a larger
system or structure..
-Emphasis on factors like sexism and
discrimination that contribute to inequality
-Reform-oriented. The aim is to create legislation and institutional structures that eliminate discrimination based on gender
Critics argue that liberal feminists emphasize formal (legal) equality while ignoring the systemic nature of women’s oppression, especially non-white women
What is Radical Feminism?
Sees men as the root of the problem as they are responsible for and benefiting from the exploitation of women. Radical feminists emphasize systemic inequalities between men and women and push for a radical transformation of these systems
Critics point out, however, that oppression varies across race, class, and ethnicity; not all men are equally oppressive, and not all women are equally oppressed
Liberal Feminism vs Radical Feminism
Liberal feminism focuses on equal rights and opportunities within the existing system while radical feminism views the patriarchy as the fundamental cause of female oppression and advocates to get rid of the system.
What is Socialist Feminism?
Socialist feminism is a theory that analyzes women’s oppression through a lens that combines socialist and feminist perspectives, arguing that capitalism and patriarchy are intertwined systems that exploit women. It emphasizes the importance of both social and economic equality for women’s liberation, recognizing that women’s experiences are shaped by both their gender and their class position.
Socialist Feminism focuses on the ways gender and social class intersect. It builds on Marx’s critique of capitalism, but also
argues that dismantling capitalism is not enough to eliminate inequality and that gendered forms of stratification, such as
patriarchy, also need to be dismantled
Radical feminism vs. Socialist feminism
While radical feminism does not desire men to be working with them to relieve oppression, socialist feminists argue that men and women should work together to fight class oppression. Radical feminists have traditionally excluded men from their movement; socialist feminists view them as potential allies, especially men who are also exploited under patriarchal capitalism
Radical feminists emphasize the fundamental oppression of women by patriarchy, while socialist feminists see oppression as stemming from the interconnectedness of patriarchy and capitalism
Black Feminism
Black feminism argues that the idea of a unified form of gender oppression that all women experience is problematic: it neglects intersectionality
- For example, black women’s experience must be understood within the framework of slavery, segregation, and the struggle for civil rights
- Sources of oppression also differ across
identities: as Bell Hooks (pictured) points out, black families are typically headed by women and provide safe havens from racism
A branch of feminist thought and activism that centers the experiences of Black women and acknowledges the intersection of racism, sexism, and other forms of oppression. It emphasizes the need for Black women’s liberation from multiple forms of oppression, recognizing that their experiences are unique and cannot be fully understood through a white, Western lens
Patricia Hill Collins, who pioneered the idea of intersectionality, points out that in the US:
–Poor white women are disadvantaged in terms of gender and class, but privileged in terms of race
–Middle class black men are disadvantaged in terms of race but privileged in terms of class and gender
–Upper-class gay men are privileged in terms of race, class, and gender, but disadvantaged in terms of
sexuality
Social feminism vs Black feminism
Black feminism focuses on the distinct experiences of Black women, emphasizing the intersection of race, class oppression, and gender, while socialist feminism prioritizes the dismantling of capitalism as a key aspect of achieving gender equality.
Like socialist feminists, black feminists make the point that not all men are equally oppressive, and not all women are equally oppressed
Transnational feminism
Transnational feminism focuses primarily on intersections among nation, race, gender, sexuality, and economic
exploitation in the context of global capitalism, and the effects of imperialism in the global south
This means that even western women of color cannot fully understand the experience of third world women, whose foremost concern is overthrowing colonial
oppression; racial-ethnic oppression is for them secondary
Black feminism vs transnational feminism
Transnational feminism believes that even western women of color cannot fully understand the experience of third world women. Third world women had to deal with everything but also had to deal with colonial oppression. Racial-ethnic oppression is secondary for them.
Gender typing
The process by which a person becomes aware of their gender and adopts behaviors, attitudes, and characteristics associated with that gender within a specific culture or society. It’s a way individuals learn and internalize gender-specific expectations, shaping their understanding of what it means to be a man, woman, or another gender identity. This process is influenced by social, cultural, and psychological factors.
Glass elevator
The concept that even in female-dominated occupations, the glass escalator brings men to the top of the status hierarchy
A concept in sociology referring to the accelerated advancement of men, especially white men, in traditionally female-dominated professions
Glass ceiling
The glass ceiling is a barrier to
women’s upward mobility in
many occupations, with many
women getting stuck in middle-
management positions
Occupational Segregation
Refers to the unequal distribution of workers across different jobs and fields based on demographic characteristics, such as race, gender, and ethnicity. It means that certain groups are overrepresented or underrepresented in particular occupations, leading to disparities in pay, benefits, and career advancement opportunities. This can perpetuate inequalities and limit economic growth
Gender typing vs. occupational segregation
Gender typing refers to the association of certain roles and behaviors with specific genders, while occupational segregation is the unequal distribution of people across different jobs based on gender
