Chapter Preview
Section 1: Sex and Gender Identity
Section 2: Theoretical Perspectives
on Gender
Section 3: Gender Inequality
Section 4: Ageism
Section 5: Inequality in America’s
Elderly Population
Chapter Preview · Section 1
Sex and Gender Identity (pages 310–315)
All societies expect people to behave in certain
ways based on their sex. Through socialization,
members of a society acquire an awareness of
themselves as masculine or feminine.
Chapter Preview · Section 2
Theoretical Perspectives on Gender
(pages 316–321)
The functionalist perspective focuses on
the origins of gender differences. Conflict
theory looks at the reason gender
differences continue to exist. Symbolic
interactionism attempts to explain the ways
in which gender is acquired.
Chapter Preview · Section 3
Gender Inequality (pages 322–329)
Women today are still subject to prejudice
and discrimination. This imbalance is seen
most clearly in the areas of economics, law,
and politics.
Chapter Preview · Section 4
Ageism (pages 330–332)
The relatively low social standing of older
people is based on ageism. Each of the
theoretical perspectives has a unique slant
on ageism.
Chapter Preview · Section 5
Inequality in America’s Elderly Population
(pages 333–338)
The poverty rate for America’s elderly
population stands at just under 10
percent. Members of racial and ethnic
minorities are in the poorest ranks.
Older people exert political influence
through their high voting rate and their
support of special interest groups.
All societies expect people to behave in certain
ways based on their sex. Through socialization,
members of a society acquire an awareness of
themselves as masculine or feminine.
Behavioral differences between men and
women are culturally conditioned.
• sex
• biological determinism
• gender identity
Why do you think men and women
behave differently?
A. Genetics
B. Environment
C. Gender identity
D. Biological determinism
0%
A
A.
B.
C.
0%
D.
B
A
B
C
0%
D
C
0%
D
Defining Male and Female
• Sex is the biological difference between
male and female.
• Two views:
– Biological determinism is the belief
that behavioral differences are the result
of inherited physical characteristics.
– There is no scientific evidence to
support this.
Defining Male and Female (cont.)
– Gender identity is the awareness of
being masculine or feminine, based on
culture.
– Girls and boys gradually learn to behave
as their parents expect.
– Nature versus nurture: Does biology or
socialization play a greater role in gender
differences?
How much influence do you think
society puts on males and females,
ultimately defining their behavior?
A. Much influence
B. Some influence
C. Little influence
D. No influence
0%
A
A.
B.
C.
0%
D.
B
A
B
C
0%
D
C
0%
D
Biology, Culture, and Behavior
• The brain structure of men and women
differs, causing different traits.
• These similar traits span dozens of
different cultures.
• Does this point to a biological cause for
behavior differences?
Biology, Culture, and Behavior (cont.)
• Sociologists tend to argue that genderrelated behavior is not primarily the result
of biology.
• Margaret Mead’s research supports this
view.
• While biological characteristics exist, they
can be modified through social influences.
How important is it that males and
females display different behavior?
A. Very important
B. Somewhat important
C. Not very important
D. Not important at all
0%
A
A.
B.
C.
0%
D.
B
A
B
C
0%
D
C
0%
D
The functionalist perspective focuses on the
origins of gender differences. Conflict theory
looks at the reasons gender differences
continue to exist. Symbolic interactionism
attempts to explain the ways in which gender is
acquired.
• gender socialization
Why do you feel gender differences
are necessary?
A. Conflict theory
B. Symbolic interactionism
C. Gender socialization
D. All of the above
0%
A
A.
B.
C.
0%
D.
B
A
B
C
0%
D
C
0%
D
Functionalism and Gender
• Functionalists believe that early humans
created such a division of labor—men as
hunters and women as gatherers—because
men were more expendable than women.
• Dysfunction exists today because of this
tradition.
Women in the
Workplace
How much influence did the early
division of labor have on the
dysfunctions of today?
A. Much influence
B. Some influence
C. Little influence
D. No influence
0%
A
A.
B.
C.
0%
D.
B
A
B
C
0%
D
C
0%
D
Conflict Theory and Gender
• According to this theory, men want to
maintain the status quo so they can
preserve the privileges they enjoy without
sharing them with women.
• However, conflict theorists see the
traditional gender roles as outdated and
believe that women have every right to
enter demanding career fields.
Do you agree with the following
statement: “men do not want women
as competition in their career field?”
A. Yes
B. No
C. Not sure
D. Sometimes
0%
A
A.
B.
C.
0%
D.
B
A
B
C
0%
D
C
0%
D
Symbolic Interactionism and Gender
• Gender socialization is the process of
boys and girls learning to act the way they
are “supposed to act.”
• Parents transfer values and attitudes
regarding how boys and girls should
behave.
• Babies are given gender-specific gifts.
Symbolic Interactionism and Gender
(cont.)
• Boys and girls are given chores according
to sex.
• The school environment tends to
encourage assertive behavior in boys and
demure behavior in girls.
• Peer groups also encourage traditional
gender roles.
Gender Inequality
Which of the following are reasons
why women are shortchanged in the
school systems?
A. Gender socialization
B. Demure behavior is
expected
C. Women are expected to
act like ladies and
keep quiet
D. All of the above
0%
A
A.
B.
C.
0%
D.
B
A
B
C
0%
D
C
0%
D
Although great progress has been made,
women today are still subject to prejudice and
discrimination. This imbalance of power is seen
most clearly in the areas of economics, law,
and politics.
• sexism
• occupational sex segregation
How strongly do you feel that women
are still discriminated against in the
workplace?
A. Very strongly
B. Somewhat strongly
C. Not very strongly
D. Not strongly at all
0%
A
A. A
B. B
C. 0%
C
0%
B
C
D
Women as a Minority Group
• Sexism is defined as a set of beliefs,
attitudes, norms, and values used to justify
gender inequality.
• Sexist ideology—the belief that men are
naturally superior to women—has been
used and is still being used to justify men’s
leadership and positions of power.
Women as a Minority Group (cont.)
• Women are gaining more respect, but
gaps still exist in areas such as social
rights, privileges, and rewards.
Given the previous chapters, can you
explain why this inferior view of
women still exists?
A. Yes
B. No
C. Not sure
0%
A
A. A
B. B
C.0% C
B
0%
C
Occupational and Economic Inequality
• The most important labor development in
the United States over the past 30 years
has been a dramatic increase in the
number and proportion of women in the
workforce.
Composition of the
U.S. Labor Force, by
Sex: 1870–2012
Occupational and Economic Inequality
(cont.)
• Women are experiencing occupational sex
segregation—the fact that women hold
lower-status positions in the workforce.
Occupational and Economic Inequality
(cont.)
• Women must work 7 days to earn what
men make in 5 days.
• Furthermore, women of race and ethnicity
earn even less.
What Women Earn
Compared to Men
Female-to-Male
Earnings: 2004
this information about
A. Knowing
A
inequality, what are the reasons it is
B. B
not being remedied?
C. C
D. A.
D Sexism
B. Occupational sex
segregation
C. Social rights
D. All of the above
0%
0%
A
B
0%
C
0%
D
Legal and Political Inequality
• Many laws have been enacted under the
auspices of being safeguards against
abuse and exploitation of women.
• However, women were denied certain jobs
because of these laws.
• Passage of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
of 1964 nullified these laws, but the effects
still linger.
Women’s Wages Compared
with Men’s Wages, by Race
and Ethnicity
Legal and Political Inequality (cont.)
• Differences by gender in criminal law exist
as well.
• Although women constitute more than half
of the population, they hold a relatively
small proportion of important political
positions.
Percentages of Women
in Elective Offices
Legal and Political Inequality (cont.)
• The proportion of women in appointed
offices is also poor.
• The number of women holding public
office in the U.S. is among the lowest in
the Western world.
Women in National,
State, and Local
Political Positions, 2005
How strongly do you feel that women
should be discriminated against in the
workplace due to the fact that they might
become pregnant?
A. Very strongly
B. Somewhat strongly
C. Not very strongly
D. Not strongly at all
0%
A
A. A
B. B
C. 0%C
0%
D. D
B
C
0%
D
The relatively low social standing of older
people is based on ageism. Each of the
theoretical perspectives has a unique slant on
ageism. Stereotypes are often used to justify
prejudice and discrimination, which can harm
the self-concepts of older people.
• age stratification
• ageism
Do you feel older people tend to have
low social standing in the U.S.?
A. Very much so
B. Not very much
C. Not at all
0%
A
A. A
B. B
0%
C. C
B
0%
C
Defining Ageism
• Age stratification occurs when the
unequal distribution of scarce resources in
a society is based on age.
• The rationale for this inequality comes in
the form of ageism—a set of beliefs,
attitudes, norms, and values used to justify
prejudice and discrimination against a
particular group.
U.S. Suicide Rates by
Age, Gender, and
Racial Group, 2002
Does ageism occur in every culture?
A. Always
B. Sometimes
C. Never
0%
A
A. A
B. B
0%
C. C
B
0%
C
Functionalism and Ageism
• According to functionalists, elderly people
in a given society are treated according to
the role the aged play in that society.
• In many societies, ageism is not an issue.
• In colonial America, age brought respect.
• Industrialization, and the need for people
to remain current in their working skills,
changed the view of old age.
Which factor is most important when
considering employment in our society?
A. Age
B. Wisdom
0%
D
A
0%
C
D. All of the above
A. A
B. B
0%
C. 0%C
D. D
B
C. Living a moral life
Conflict Theory and Ageism
• According to the conflict theory, elderly
people compete with other age groups for
economic resources, power and prestige.
• In preindustrial societies, the elderly were
still respected, but in industrial societies,
the elderly are pushed to the side because
younger workers can replace them.
• Forced retirement is a weapon used
against the elderly.
Which of the following age stereotyping
model plays in the conflict theory?
A. The aged are
intellectually dull.
B. The aged are
closed-minded.
C. Prejudice and
discrimination
D. The aged are inflexible.
0%
A
A.
B.
0%
C.
D.
B
A
B
0%
C
D
C
0%
D
Symbolic Interactionism and Ageism
• According to this perspective, children
learn negative images of older people just
as they learn other aspects of culture.
• The stereotypes, however, do not hold true
in general.
Do you feel that you have a negative
view of the elderly?
A. Always
B. Sometimes
C. Never
D. Not sure
0%
A
A.
B.
0%
C.
D.
B
A
B
0%
C
D
C
0%
D
The poverty rate for America’s elderly
population stands at 9.8 percent. members of
racial and ethnic minorities are in the poorest
ranks. The political process offers the major
source of power for elderly Americans. Older
people exert political influence through their
high voting rate and their support of special
interest groups.
• interest groups
Do you agree that the elderly can use
the political process as a powerful tool?
A. Agree
B. Disagree
C. Not sure
0%
A
A. A
B. B
0%
C. C
B
0%
C
Elderly People as a Minority Group
• Not until recently have researchers viewed
older people as a distinct segment of
society subject to the same discrimination
and stereotyping as other minority groups.
Which groups are being classified as
a minority?
A. Older people
B. Women
C. Ethnic
D. All of the above
0%
A
A. A
B. B
0% C.
0%C
B
C
D
Economics of the Elderly
• The federal government assumes that
older people require less money to live, so
the measurement of their poverty is
skewed.
• The income gap among the elderly also
distorts the economic picture.
Poverty Rates Among
Americans Aged 65 and
Over: 1959–2004
Economics of the Elderly (cont.)
• Older people who are members of racial or
ethnic minority groups are generally in
worse condition than older white
Americans.
• Elderly women constitute one of the
poorest segments of American society.
Does the government take into account
the “near poor” and the “hidden poor”
when measuring poverty amongst the
elderly?
A. Always
B. Sometimes
C. Never
D. Not sure
0%
A
A. A
B. B
0%C.0%C
D. D
B
C
0%
D
Political Power and the Elderly
• Voting turnout in the U.S. increases with age.
• However, the lack of unity due to the
differences amongst the elderly (such as
social class, religion, race) weakens their
political clout.
• Interest groups are organized to
influence political decision making.
Percentage of
Population Aged
Sixty-five and Over
Political Power and the Elderly (cont.)
• Millions of Americans belong to interest
groups that target ageism.
Selected Socioeconomic
Characteristics of Elderly
Americans
Why do think people vote more as
they age?
A. Diversity
B. Social class
C. Gray power
D. All of the above
0%
A
A.
B.
0%
C.
D.
B
A
B
0%
C
D
C
0%
D
Composition of the U.S. Labor Force, by Sex: 1870–2012
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of
Labor Statistics, 2005.
What Women Earn Compared to Men
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of
Labor Statistics, 2005.
Female-to-Male Earnings: 2004
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of
Labor Statistics, 2005.
Women’s Wages Compared with Men’s
Wages, by Race and Ethnicity
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of
Labor Statistics, 2005.
Percentages of Women in Elective Offices
Source: Center for American Women and Politics, National Information Bank
on Women in Public Office, Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University.
U.S. Suicide Rates by Age, Gender, and Racial Group, 2002
Source: National Center for Health Statistics,
Health, United States, 2004.
Poverty Rates Among Americans Aged 65 and Over: 1959–2004
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Historical Poverty
Tables, 2005.
Selected Socioeconomic Characteristics of Elderly Americans
Source: CRS Report for Congress, 2005.
Percentage of Population
Aged Sixty-Five and Over
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Statistical
Abstract of the United States, 2004–2005.
Women in the Workplace
Source: United Nations Statistics Division,
Statistics and Indicators on Women and Men, 2005.
Sociology Chapter
Transparencies
What Women Earn Compared to Men,
by State
U.S. Labor Force Participation Rates,
by Sex: 1890–2004
sex
classification of people as male or female
based on biological characteristics
biological determinism
principle that behavioral differences are the
result of inherited physical characteristics
gender identity
a sense of being male or female based on
learned cultural values
gender socialization
the social process of learning how to act as
a boy or girl
sexism
a set of beliefs, attitudes, norms, and
values used to justify sexual inequality
occupational sex segregation
the concentration of women in lower-status
positions
age stratification
the unequal distribution of scarce
resources based on age
ageism
a set of beliefs, attitudes, norms, and
values used to justify age-based prejudice
and discrimination
interest group
a group organized to influence political
decision making
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