Gender Stratification
Chapter 11
Learning Objectives
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Contrast biological and sociological views of sex
and gender.
What is gender stratification?
Do we live under a patriarchal ideology.
How do we learn gender-roles.
Describe gender differences in the world of
work.
Be aware of the effect of changes in gender
roles in U.S. society.
Sex and Gender
Gender
Sex
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The physical and
biological differences
between men and
women.
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Evident by physical
distinctions in anatomical,
chromosomal, hormonal, and
physiological characteristics.
The social, psychological, and
cultural attributes of
masculinity and femininity that
are based on the previous
biological distinctions.
Sex and Gender
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Can you think of instances where the
experiences of males and females are
complicated by issues of sex and gender?
 Gay, bisexual, pansexual
 Intersexed individuals
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What should you write on the birth certificate?
Transgender or transexual individuals
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Does it have to exist in binary oppositions?
Terminology
 Transgender:
a generic term for a person
of one biological sex who displays
characteristics of the opposite sex
 Cross-dresser: a generic term for
individuals who may dress or present
themselves in the gender of the opposite
sex
Sex and Gender
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Are differences in gender
between males and females
natural to human beings?
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Biological views
Physiological differences
The Sociological View
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How comfortable are you with the gender roles
our society defines as appropriate for males
and females?
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Activities?
Professions?
Media portrayals
How about toys?
You know you want it!
Ok, now he was close
Tried to domesticate you
But you're an animal
Baby, it's in your nature
Just let me liberate you
You don't need no papers
That man is not your maker
And that's why I'm gon' take a
Good girl
Soo, exactly what blurred lines is the song referring to?
Gender-Role Socialization
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Lifelong process whereby people learn:
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Values
Attitudes
Motivations
Behaviors
All considered appropriate to each sex according
to their culture.
Terminology
 Gender
role: the behaviors assigned to
women and men in a society
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Women are expected to nurture children.
 Sex
role: behaviors defined by biological
constraints
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Only women can nurse infants.
Agents of Socialization
Agents of socialization are
individuals and groups that
influence development.
 Family: parents and
siblings
 Race/ethnicity: different
gender roles
 Peers: important
throughout the school
years
 Religion: emphasis of
some on traditional roles
Agents of Socialization
 Education:
schools and teachers
 Economy: occupation sex segregation—
the concentration of men and women in
different occupations
 Mass media: movies, television, books,
and magazines
Education Inequality
Consequences of Traditional
Gender Role Socialization
• Less income: Women
earn about 2/3 of what
men earn.
• Feminization of
poverty:
disproportionate
percentage of those
living in poverty
constituted by women
living alone and with
their children
Table 2.2: Women’s and Men’s
Median Income with Similar
Education
Consequences
 Higher
risk for sexually transmitted infections
for women
 Negative body image for women
 Sexism: an attitude, action, or institutional
structure that subordinates or discriminates
against individuals and groups because of
their sex
 Less marital satisfaction for women
Consequences
Positive consequences for women:
 Longer life expectancy: 81.4 (women)
compared to 76.4 (men)
 Stronger relationship focus
 Keeping relationship on track
 Bonding with children
Consequences
Negative consequences for
men:
 Identity synonymous with
occupation
 Limited expression of
emotions
 Fear of intimacy
 Custody disadvantages
 Shorter life expectancy
Consequences
Positive consequences for men:
 Freedom of movement
 Greater pool of potential partners
 Norm of initiating a relationship