Functionalism and Gender Theories

Definition: Functionalism is a major theoretical perspective in sociology that posits society is relatively stable.
It asserts that things occur in society for specific functions, contributing to the maintenance of stability.
Social Institutions: Key social institutions—Family, Political System, Educational System, and Economy—are essential for proper societal functioning.
Each institution is designed to fulfill different needs of the society.

Role of Institutions: An institution exists only if it serves a vital role in the functioning of society.
When social institutions cease to serve a role due to new needs, new institutions will emerge to address those needs.

Comparison to Organism: Society is likened to an organism, where each component plays a necessary role and cannot function independently.
Prominent proponent: Emile Durkheim. He argued that if one part faces a crisis, other parts must adapt to fill the void.

Introduction: First applied to gender development by Walter Mischel in 1966.
It suggests that individuals, especially children, learn gender-related beliefs and behaviors by observing and imitating others, along with reinforcement or punishment received for their actions.
Mechanism of Learning: Focuses on observation and imitation as key principles in learning behavior.
Behavior Patterns: Children acquire gendered behavior patterns based on the differential reinforcement of behaviors related to each sex.
Example: Girls' aggressive responses are often discouraged, while boys are encouraged to exhibit aggression.
When boys cry, they are often told to "toughen up," reinforcing gendered behavior expectations.

Foundation: Gender beliefs are derived from observed behaviors of men and women, reflecting the sexual division of labor and existing gender hierarchy.
Different Roles: The theory posits that men and women behave distinctly due to the different social roles they occupy.
Men typically have responsibilities outside the home, while women are associated primarily with domestic and caregiving roles.
Attributes Developed: This leads to the development of:
Agentic Attributes in men (e.g., confidence, assertiveness).
Communal Attributes in women (e.g., nurturing, sensitivity).

Not all cultures share similar views on feminine and masculine behavior, indicating that gender differences are shaped by social factors, not solely biological ones.
Communal vs. Agentic: Most stereotypes about sex differences are rooted in the differentiation between communal and agentic attributes, forming the basis for societal gender role expectations.

Functionalism argues that society is inherently stable.
Functionalist Theory states that institutions only exist to serve specific roles; new institutions emerge as societal needs evolve.
According to Emile Durkheim, society functions like an organism where components must adapt together during crises.
Social Learning Theory, as described by Walter Mischel, reveals that children learn gender behaviors through reinforcement and punishment.
Social Role Theory reflects that gender beliefs arise from observations of social roles, not purely from biology, with varying cultural perceptions of gender behavior.