Exam 3 Pt 1 Soc

Sex vs. Gender

• Sex: Refers to biological characteristics that distinguish males from females (e.g., reproductive organs).

• Primary sex organs: Penis, Vagina.

• Secondary sex traits: Muscle mass, voice depth in males; breasts, hips in females.

• Gender: A social construct encompassing behaviors and attitudes deemed appropriate for males and females, which vary by culture.

• Gender is learned through socialization and influences one's identity (masculinity vs. femininity).

Impact of Gender and Sociological Significance

• Both sex and gender serve as sorting devices in society similar to social class, impacting power dynamics.

• Gender differences in behavior may stem from culture rather than biology; researchers disagree if such differences are innate or socialized.

• Dominant sociological view: Gender roles are culturally assigned and vary significantly across societies.

Biological Predispositions vs. Socialization

• Alice Rossi's argument: Biological predispositions affect behaviors (e.g., aggression in males due to XY chromosome, nurturing in females due to XX chromosome), but social factors also play a large role.

• Case study of identical twins highlights complexities of gender identity:

• Accident during circumcision led parents to raise one twin as female (Brenda), despite biological predispositions showing significant resistance to enforced gender norms.

Cultural Variation in Gender

• Definitions of masculinity and femininity differ globally (e.g., the perception of males in the U.S. vs. Japan or Sweden).

• Persistent patriarchal structures resulting from historical divisions of labor early in human societies (e.g., hunting and gathering dynamics).

Feminist Movements

• First Wave: Focused on suffrage (e.g., voting rights) and reforming social institutions.

• Second Wave (1960s): Addressed workplace inequalities like equal pay and women's roles in society.

• Third Wave: Emphasizes issues in least developed nations, challenges traditional male values in workplaces, and supports sexual autonomy for women.

Gender Inequality in the Workforce

• Glass Ceiling: Invisible barriers preventing women from reaching top positions based on stereotypes about leadership.

• Glass Escalator: Males in female-dominated professions (e.g., nursing, education) rise faster than their female counterparts.

• Women's labor force participation is rising, but they often occupy less prestigious positions and are underrepresented in leadership.

Income Disparities

• Women earn significantly less than men, approximately 83.6 cents to the dollar for similar roles, leading to a lifetime earning gap of $700,000.

• Underrepresentation of women in leadership roles (e.g., only 52 of Fortune 500 companies have female CEOs).

Healthcare Disparities

• Women often receive inadequate healthcare treatment, with physicians dismissing women's medical complaints as less serious.

Representation in Politics

• Female representation in politics remains limited; the U.S. has not had a female president. Steps are being made towards greater engagement and representation.

Gender and Education

• More females are enrolling in higher education; however, traditional distinctions in field of study persist (e.g., nursing vs. construction).

Global Gender Inequality

• Worldwide, females face higher illiteracy rates and lower enrollment in secondary and tertiary education compared to males.

Aging and Gender

• Ageism affects both the elderly and youth; perceptions of aging can be culturally specific.

Theoretical Frameworks

• Symbolic Interactionism: Examines how societal labels shape perceptions of age and gender.

• Functionalism: Explores how society adjusts to the retirement of elderly individuals (disengagement theory, activity theory).

• Conflict Theory: Highlights struggles for resources and the impact of rising elderly costs on younger generations.