In-Depth Notes on Gender Stratification and Social Constructs

Gender as a Social Construct

• Definition: Gender refers to social and personal characteristics associated with different sexes, distinct from biological traits.
• Key Idea: Gender is a social construct, shaped by societal norms and expectations rather than biology.

Gender Stratification

• Definition: Gender stratification is the unequal distribution of wealth, power, and privilege across genders.
• Example: Historical disenfranchisement of women (e.g., voting rights).
  • U.S. women gained voting rights in 1920; Saudi Arabia in 2015.
• Patriarchy: A social organization where men hold more power, dominating other genders.
  • Maintained through sexism and societal beliefs about gender superiority.

Hegemonic Masculinity

• Definition: A cultural ideal of masculinity that exhibits characteristics such as strength, heterosexuality, and wealth.
• Sociologist: Raewyn Connell describes hegemonic masculinity as the archetype often portrayed in media (e.g., action movie leads).
  • Benefits associated with conforming to this ideal are termed patriarchal dividends.

Gender Socialization

• Learning Sources: First teachers of gender roles are often parents, followed by media and educational environments.
  • Anticipatory Socialization: Children learn gender roles through toys chosen (e.g., dolls for girls, tools for boys).
• Second Shift: Concept by Arlie Hochschild referring to the additional work (household) women do after formal work hours.
  • Statistics: Full-time working mothers perform about 9 more hours of household work weekly compared to fathers.

Media Influence

• Portrayals: Media often emphasizes traditional gender roles, particularly regarding women valuing beauty and youth.
  • Emphasized Femininities: Forms of femininity that align with male ideals, reinforcing gender stereotypes.

Education and Gender

• Teacher vs. Leadership Roles: A majority of K-12 teachers are female; however, leadership roles (principals and superintendents) are predominantly held by men.
• Impact of Title IX: Passed in 1972, prohibits gender discrimination in education. Notable outcomes include:
  • Significant increase in girls participating in sports and access to scholarships.

Gender in Employment and Wages

• Glass Ceiling: Refers to the invisible barrier preventing women from climbing to top organizational positions.
• Statistics: Only 32 women are CEOs in Fortune 500 companies.
  • Gender wage gap: White women earn about 80 cents for every dollar white men earn; Black women earn 65 cents, Hispanic women 58 cents.
• Factors Contributing to Wage Gap: Not solely due to discrimination but also occupational choices, experience, and socialization differences.

Masculinity and Its Challenges

• Negative Consequences: Traditional masculinity can lead to higher suicide rates among men due to financial pressures or crises.
  • Stereotypes about male roles complicate mental health support.
• Incarceration Rates: Men are more frequently incarcerated influenced by societal views on morality linked to gender.