CHAPTER 10: GENDER
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Define and differentiate between sex and gender.
2. Explain how gender is a social construct and explain how gender roles and gender
identity are learned.
3. Discuss and give examples of how gender is culturally relative and how gender
expectations are changing in the U.S. and globally because of rapid social change.
4. Elaborate on the social costs and benefits associated gender roles and gender
identities.
5. Describe the nature vs. nature debate; include the following concepts: biological
determinism, hermaphroditism, and gender socialization.
6. Elaborate on the differences between gender socialization and gender identity and
how the different agents of socialization contribute to gender socialization.
7. Describe and give examples of gender conformity and the functions and dysfunctions
of this for individual boys and girls, and for the society/culture.
8. Explain homophobia as learned behavior and the consequences of this behavior on
one’s gender identity and on the culture/society.
9. Explain the institutionalization basis of gender, gendered institutions, and gender
stratification.
10. Elaborate upon gender stratification and its matriarchal and patriarchal aspects and
how these foster gender inequality and lower status and prestige for women’s work.
11. Explain the labor force participation trends and expected future trends for male and
female workers. Include the impact of significant legislation such as the Equal Pay
Act.
12. Compare human capital theory and dual labor market theory explanations of the
wage gap between women and men. Include the effects of the primary and secondary
markets, gender segregation patterns and overt discrimination in your discussion.
13. Describe gendered occupational segregation, and explain the impact this has on the
relative value of different types of occupations (e.g. child care) and the status of
women and men
14. Using the three major sociological schools of thought/perspectives, explain why
gender inequality exists. Evaluate each in terms of how well it explains inequality.
15. Examine gender inequity from an ethnomethodological and a feminist theory
perspective. Incorporate into your discussion the concepts of: liberal, socialistic
feminism, radical feminism, and multicultural feminism.
16. Elaborate upon gender stratification globally. Discuss the impact of the international
division of labor on women; compare the amount and type of work done by women
and men.
17. Discuss violence against women in terms of rape, domestic violence, infanticide,
incest, genital mutilation, and murder (honor killings).
18. Explain how gender has been effected by social change in terms of contemporary
attitudinal, behavioral, and legislative changes. Include a discussion of the impact of
and current debates about: comparable worth, affirmative action, Title IX, and Title
IV.