Sociology Paper 1 Theorists - Age, Disability, Gender, Nationality, Hybrid, Ethnicity

OCR A Level Sociology Paper 1

Foucault

Sexuality is a form of social control, we internalise norms and values then monitor our own behaviour to fit within expectations.

Warner

‘Heteronormative assumption’ - We assume people are heterosexual until proven otherwise, othering homosexuality.

Rich

‘Invisible Lesbian Possibility’ - Heterosexuality is enforced on women to maintain patriarchy, so they are unaware of the possibility of being homosexual.

Kinsey et al

The Kinsey Scale - We are all between 0 (exclusively heterosexual) and 6 (exclusively homosexual), places sexuality as part of a spectrum rather than a binary choice.

Quinn

Relativism of sexuality - there is cultural relativism of views on sexuality, as different cultures have different views.

McIntosh

When ‘coming out’ as gay, people adopt cultural characteristics i.e. high-pitched voice, focus on appearance.

Plummer

‘The homosexual career’ - Men who’ve accepted their sexuality seek subcultures where stereotypical behaviour is the norm.

Giddens

‘Plastic sexuality’ - describes a shift away from the traditional link of sex and reproduction, it can now be more linked with individual desires.

Nayak

‘White wannabes’ - White British males who act, dress and speak in a way influenced by black hip-hop culture.

Back

‘Neighbourhood nationalism’ - White youth were attracted to aspects of black culture and developed a shared identity based on a mix of ethnicity and a feeling of solidarity in the area.

Anderson

A nation is an imagined community, socially constructed through symbols like flags

Philips et al

School curriculums promote nationalism i.e. national values

Hall

Three responses to globalisation: Homogenisation (merge into one), Hybridity (both combine to make a new culture) and Cultural Defence (rejection of new culture).

Kumar

English people struggle to say who they are; The English identity is elusive because of imperialism, causing us to repress ordinary expressions of nationalism.

Sardar

The world is in an identity crisis, there is no longer any divides like ‘East vs West’, and the UK doesn’t know whether to be American or European.

Oakley

Canalisation, young boys/girls are encouraged into gender norms.

Wilkinson

‘Genderquake’ - women have experienced a change in attitudes/aspirations, shifting social expectations.

Daly

“If God is male, male is God” - religion justifies patriarchy.

Kehily

Ladettes - women are partying and having sex more, being assertive.

Mac an Ghaill

Men no longer know what is expected of them, they are either: redefining masculinity (childcare, appearance) or reasserting masculinity.

Seidler

Girls from muslim backgrounds are still subject to hegemonic ideas due to their religion.

Witt

Parents expected their babies to fit in gender norms within 24 hours of birth.

Pomerleau

Boys/girls bedrooms are disproportionately pink/blue.

Miller and Church

Teachers reinforce gender stereotypes (i.e. boys are noisier)

Adler

Boys’ popularity is based on active characteristics (i.e. athletic), while girls’ is based on passive characteristics (i.e. beauty).

Stacey

Families are defined by womens’ choices. Also outlined the Divorce-extended family.

Benston

Unpaid Labour Theory - Women do the housework so aren’t compensated for their work whereas Men are, leading to financial inequality.

Duncombe and Marsden

Triple Shift Theory - Women have to do three shifts: Employment, house work, emotional support. (Expressive leader + has to work in today’s society)

Ansley

‘Takers of shit’ - Women have to endure men’s workplace frustrations being taken out on them.

Foucault

Society is more controlled than ever, the mentally ill are segregated rather than seen as eccentric as previously. (Social control)

Barnes

The media portrays disabled people as burdens on family/society, attempting to create moral panic on benefits fraud.

Goffman

Disabled people are seen as disabled first, making it their primary form of identity.

Shakespeare

Disabled people are socialised into seeing themselves as victims, and the government insists they should work which makes them feel guilty about using available support.

Scope

2/3 of British people feel uncomfortable talking to disabled people, millenials particularly out of fear of offending them.

Murugami

Disabled people can construct a self identity, accepting yet separating themselves from their disability.

Zola

Disability has struggled as an identity because they lack an isolated subculture and cannot reclaim language to empower them.

De Gobineau

Father of racism, categorised ‘blacks’, ‘whites’, ‘yellows’ in a hierarchy of white>yellow>black.

ONS Census 2021

UK population: 81% white, 9% asian, 4% black.

Hewitt

‘white backlash’ created by white people believing policies aimed towards equality are actually ignoring white people, they feel overlooked and unheard.

Rex and Tomlinson

Working class ethnic minorities face both class and ethnic oppression, creating a ‘black underclass’.

Dyer

‘Whiteness’ is seen as the cultural norm, this ‘others’ ethnic minorities in the UK as we use asian or black to describe people but wouldn’t use white as it is assumed.

Jenkins

Ethnic minorities may face disadvantages in access to employment due to stereotypes or lack of connections.

Parkin

Ethnic minorities face class and ethnic oppression, causing social segregation and preventing social mobility.