W4 D2 Social Problems

How do gender expectations impact boys and men?

• Workplace injuries and deaths

• Higher suicide rates

• Health problems

• Women get sicker; men die quicker

Gender paradox

• Behavioral choices; going to get diagnosed

  • Men are more likely to smoke and drink more and engage in riskier behaviors, which contribute to higher mortality rates compared to women, who generally prioritize health and wellness.

• SES: more likely to experience health disparities due to differences in socioeconomic status, which can affect access to healthcare and overall well-being.

  • Stress

• Biological advantages women may have

→ Second shift: women work all day and then come home to perform more labor, such as caring for children and managing household responsibilities, which adds to their overall stress levels.

→ Health inequality is social

What should sociologists focus on when studying health and gender? They should examine the intersection of biological factors and social constructs that contribute to health disparities, including how societal roles and expectations affect women's access to healthcare, mental health outcomes, and domestic responsibilities.

• Men are understudied

• Intersectionality: race, class, gender, ability

What can we learn from a qualitative study? Thick description: you get the whys and the details as to why someone does something rather than just what their answer is and moving on.

Kris Presentation

• HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa

• Main focus: HIV stigma and gender inequality

  • Negative attitudes and beliefs towards those living with HIV; more of a social construct rather than the disease itself

• Men prefer not to know their status with HIV/TB because of the fear of stigma and discrimination, or do not believe their diagnosis if it happens.

• Women are scared of HIV status due to violence; selective disclosure to protect themselves, their relationships, and family

• Stigma management: is it a choice or a survival strategy?