Gender Stratification
Chapter 11
Learning Objectives
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Contrast biological and sociological views of sex
and gender.
What is gender stratification?
Do we live under a patriarchal ideology.
How do we learn gender-roles.
Describe gender differences in the world of
work.
Be aware of the effect of changes in gender
roles in U.S. society.
Sex and Gender
Gender
Sex
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The physical and
biological differences
between men and
women.
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Evident by physical
distinctions in anatomical,
chromosomal, hormonal, and
physiological characteristics.
The social, psychological, and
cultural attributes of
masculinity and femininity that
are based on the previous
biological distinctions.
Sex and Gender
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Can you think of instances where the
experiences of males and females are
complicated by issues of sex and gender?
 Gay, bisexual, pansexual
 Intersexed individuals
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What should you write on the birth certificate?
Transgender or transexual individuals
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Does it have to exist in binary oppositions?
Sex and Gender
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Are differences in gender
between males and females
natural to human beings?
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Biological views
Physiological differences
The Sociological View
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How comfortable are you with the gender roles
our society defines as appropriate for males
and females?
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Activities?
Professions?
Media portrayals
How about toys?
You know you want it!
Ok, now he was close
Tried to domesticate you
But you're an animal
Baby, it's in your nature
Just let me liberate you
You don't need no papers
That man is not your maker
And that's why I'm gon' take a
Good girl
Soo, exactly what blurred lines is the song referring to?
Gender-Role Socialization
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Lifelong process whereby people learn:
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Values
Attitudes
Motivations
Behaviors
All considered appropriate to each sex according
to their culture.
Erik Erikson
Boys
• Encouraged to pursue
role paths that will
prepare them for an
occupational commitment
Girls
• Encouraged to develop
behavior patterns
designed to attract a
suitable mate
What Produces Gender Inequality?
Two theoretical approaches have been used
to explain dominance and gender inequality
Functionalism
Conflict Theory
.
The Functionalist Viewpoint
 Talcott
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Parsons and Robert Bales (1955)
Division of labor and role differentiation by sex
are universal principles of family organization
and are functional to the modern family.
Family functions best when roles are
assigned.
• Instrumental role – the father
• Expressive role – the mother
The Conflict Viewpoint
 Friedrich
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Engels
Acknowledgment of early functionalist based
gender roles
Linked modern gender inequality to economic
system, capitalism
• Concentration of wealth in hands of powerful/men
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Subordination of women follows
• Perception that current gender role division is
dysfunctional and economically regressive
Job Discrimination
Discrimination against Women
Three primary methods of discrimination
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During the hiring process
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Through unequal wage policies
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Women are given jobs with lower occupational
prestige than men who have equivalent qualifications.
Women receive less pay than men for equivalent
work.
In the awarding of promotions
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Women find it more difficult than men to move up the
career ladder.
Education Inequality