Sociology: Gender Stratification Flashcards

Study Notes

Key Concepts in Gender Stratification

Sex: Refers to the biological distinctions between males and females.
Gender: Social expectations and roles assigned to males and females within a society.
Differences Between Men and Women: Cultural interpretations of gender can vary; for example, Margaret Mead's research in New Guinea illustrated diverse gender roles across societies.

Societal Structures and Gender

Arapesh, Mundugumor, Tchambuli: New Guinean tribes showcasing varying gender roles; Arapesh emphasizes femininity, Mundugumor masculinity, and Tchambuli displays reversed gender roles.
Reversal Hypothesis: Asserts that gender roles are societal constructs; in Tchambuli society, women exhibited dominance while men were nurturing.
Kibbutz: Demonstrates gender equality with men and women sharing traditionally male and female roles, like armed security and childcare.

Forms of Gender Stratification

Gender Stratification: The systemic inequality regarding access to property, power, and prestige between men and women.
Patriarchy and Matriarchy: Social systems where men dominate women or vice versa; the Musuo of China is an example of matriarchy, emphasizing female control over property and relationships.

Issues of Equality and Discrimination

Sexism: The belief in the inherent superiority of one sex over the other, manifesting in various societal structures.
Institutional Sexism: Embedded in societal institutions like the economy and legal systems, perpetuating gender inequalities.
Areas of Gender Discrimination: Key sectors include education, employment, politics, and violence against women.

Employment and Economic Disparities

Employment: Women are predominantly found in 'pink-collar' jobs, accounting for 60% of such roles.
Gender Tracking: The phenomenon where men and women are directed into different educational paths or job roles, reinforcing traditional gender roles.
Income Disparity: Women earned 78% of men's median income in 2013; this highlights ongoing financial inequality.

Political Representation and Rights

Women's Access to Power: Historically limited; current representation includes 84 women in the 114th Congress and a notable presence of women in various political roles.
First and Second Waves of Feminism: Focused on women's suffrage and rights during the 19th-20th centuries and the 1960s, respectively.
Denial of Rights: Women have faced historical barriers in voting, property ownership, and legal recognition.

Violence and Gender

Sexual Harassment and Rape: Highlight systemic issues of power dynamics, with statistics showing a significant number of women experience violence or know their assailants.
Cultural Influence: The association between masculinity and violence fosters a culture where aggression is normalized.

Theoretical Perspectives

Structural-Functional Approach: Suggests traditional gender roles were biologically based but de-emphasized in modern societies, continuing prejudices.
Symbolic-Interaction Approach: Examines daily interactions that reinforce gendered perceptions of reality.
Social-Conflict Approach: Focuses on how gender inequality generates conflict and maintains power divides.

Feminism and Its Types

Feminism: Advocates for gender equality, opposes violence against women, and supports reproductive rights; categorized into liberal, socialist, and radical branches.
Essentialism: Critiques the oversimplification of women’s experiences, ignoring cultural differences and the nuances of gender identity.

Key Issues and Solutions

Gender Stratification in Families and Education: Women face unequal family responsibilities and rising educational achievements are contrasted with persistent income disparities.
Decoupling Violence and Masculinity: Proposed as a potential solution to address gendered violence in society.

Conclusion

Understanding gender stratification requires an analysis of social constructs, roles, and inequalities that evolve with societal changes yet often perpetuate historical biases.

Description

Explore key concepts related to gender stratification through this set of flashcards. Understand the differences between sex and gender, as well as the societal implications of these distinctions. Ideal for sociology students and anyone interested in gender studies.