Sociology of Gender

Sociology of Gender

• The sociology of gender is the study of how society creates differences between men and women.
• It examines the assignment of gender roles and how these roles contribute to social inequality.
• Sex refers to biological differences between males and females.
• Gender refers to socially constructed roles of masculinity and femininity.
• Gender is a primary way of signifying power relations.
• Patriarchy is the systematic dominance of men over women in social, economic, and political institutions.
• Sociology historically over focused on "public" life while ignoring "private" aspects.
• Gender norms are maintained through socialization, media, and institutions.
• Women's studies challenge dominant male-centric academia.
• Inclusion of women’s perspectives in sociology is needed.
• Quantitative methods are biased towards male experiences.
• Gender is a social relation and a way of signifying power.
• Emphasize the discursive construction of gender.
• Sociology has traditionally ignored gender or treated it as an "add-on".
• There need to be is a fundamental restructuring of sociological thought.
• Gender is just as fundamental as class or race.
• Sociology reflects patriarchal biases in its research methods and frameworks.
• Traditional theories assume two genders (male/female).
• Modern debates include non-binary and queer theory perspectives.
• Early gender studies focused on white, middle-class women.
• Some feminist theories assume that all women experience oppression the same way.

Sociology of Class

• The sociology of class examines economic, social, and cultural inequalities in society.
• It also examines how these shape individuals' life chances.
• Class is not just economic, it involves culture, identity, and power.
• Working-class women experience class through exclusion.
• Class struggle is the engine of history.
• Class identity is formed through cultural practices and collective action.
• Economic capital, cultural capital, and social capital define class positions.
• Bourdieu’s concepts explain modern class inequalities.
• Simplistic class categories are rejected.
• Focus is on cultural and social factors.
• A data-driven approach to class needed, moving away from Marxist frameworks.
• Examine how class analysis declined and re-emerged in the late 20th century.
• Some argue that individualism has replaced class identity.
• Economic inequality has increased.
• Class remains stable despite economic changes.
• Social reproduction limits upward mobility.

Intersectionality

• Intersectionality is the idea that multiple forms of oppression interact.
• Kimberlé Crenshaw coined the term to describe the unique experiences of Black women.
• Black women were excluded from both feminist and anti-racist movements.
• Intersectionality has become too broad, losing its original focus.
• Some scholars argue it has become a buzzword rather than a critical theory.
• Policy changes are needed to address multiple forms of discrimination.