CHAPTER 11: SEX AND GENDER
Objectives:
Define gender stratification and distinguish
between sex and gender
Understand the controversy over what most
accounts for gender differences in behavior,
biology or culture, and explain the dominant
sociological position in the debate
Describe the global nature of gender inequality
and provide concrete examples of global
gender discrimination
CHAPTER 11: SEX AND GENDER
Gender Stratification: males’ and females’
unequal access to power, prestige and property
on the basis of their sex
Gender = Master Status
Labels of male/female carry images and
expectations about how we should act
guides behavior
serves as basis of power and privilege
SEX VERSUS GENDER
Sex: biological characteristics that distinguish females and
males, consisting of primary and secondary sex
characteristics
primary: reproductive organs
secondary: physical distinctions not
associated with reproduction (voice tone, muscle
tone, breasts, hair)
Gender: behaviors and attitudes that society considers
proper for males and females; masculinity or femininity
sociological significance of gender—it is a device
by which society controls its members (through
socialization)
INHERIT your SEX, but you LEARN your GENDER
GENDER DIFFERENCES IN BEHAVIOR
Biology or Culture?
What is responsible for gender differences in men
and women…
Take a few minutes to read the Thinking Critically
excerpts on pages 292 and 293 in your textbook…
Jot down your thoughts/questions as you read along.
Be prepared to express your opinion about the
topic of biology or culture
(read aloud “Medical Accident”/ “Vietnam Veterans”)
GENDER INEQUALITY IN GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
There is not a single example of a society where
women (as a group) have decision making power
over men (as a group)
Sex Typing at Work
found in every society
associated activities with one sex or the other
things considered “female” in one society, can be
considered “male” in another
metalworking is the exception (it is
universally male)
GENDER INEQUALITY IN GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
division of labor does not by itself equal social
inequality
Inequality comes from the fact that the
prestige that is given to male activities is
greater, regardless of what those activities are
examples: delivering babies
it is not the work that provides the prestige, but
the sex with which the work is associated
OTHER AREAS OF DISCRIMINATION…
Education
of the 1 billion adults that cannot read, 2/3 are women (most in
Africa)
Politics
No national legislature has as many women as men (on average
women hold about 11% of seats in governmental bodies)
Pay Gap
In every nation, women average less pay than men
in US women are paid, on average, 65% of men’s wages
Violence
Global human rights issue
ex: foot binding (China), suttee (India), rape, forced
prostitution, female circumcision (excerpt pg, 300)