Conflict Perspective on Gender Stratification: Theory & Quiz

Study Notes

Conflict Theory

Conflict theory posits that social stratification is dysfunctional and harmful, with inequality perpetuated to benefit the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor.
In patriarchal societies, men's perspectives and contributions are considered more valuable, leading to the silencing and marginalization of women.
Radical feminism evaluates the role of patriarchy in perpetuating male dominance.

Feminist Perspective

Intersectionality suggests that biological, social, and cultural categories, including gender, race, class, and ethnicity, interact and contribute to systematic social inequality.
The oppression and marginalization of women are shaped not only by gender but also by other factors such as race and class.

Conflict Perspective

Conflict theory argues that men, as the dominant gender, subordinate women to maintain power and privilege in society.
Men can be seen as the dominant group, and women as the subordinate group, with men working to maintain their power and status.
Social problems are created when dominant groups exploit or oppress subordinate groups.

Friedrich Engels

Engels studied family structure and gender roles from a Marxist perspective.
He suggested that the same owner-worker relationship seen in the labor force could also be seen in the household, with women assuming the role of the proletariat.
When women become wage earners, they gain power in the family structure and create more democratic arrangements in the home.

Interactionist Perspective

From a symbolic interactionist perspective, gender is produced and reinforced through daily interactions and the use of symbols.
Meaning is produced through the interactions of individuals, and these meanings are derived through social interaction.

Erving Goffman and Control

Social interaction is a face-to-face process that consists of actions, reactions, and mutual adaptation between two or more individuals.
Goffman emphasized the importance of control in social interactions, with individuals attempting to control the behavior of others.

Symbolic Interactionism

Symbolic interactionism aims to understand human behavior by analyzing the critical role of symbols in human interaction.
The meanings attached to symbols are socially created and fluid, rather than natural and static.

Gender as Performance

Gender is performed through daily interactions, and gender identities are socially constructed, reproduced, and reinforced.
The sociologist Charles H. Cooley developed the theory of the "looking-glass self," which argues that an individual's perception of themselves is based on how society views them.
Gender is maintained through accountability, with men and women expected to perform their gender roles to the point that it is naturalized.

Description

Explore the conflict perspective on gender stratification within society, focusing on how men, as the dominant gender, subordinate women to maintain power and privilege. Learn about the struggle for dominance among social groups competing for resources, and understand how gender dynamics are shaped by power dynamics in society.