Gender and FamiliesGender and Families

Family SociologyFamily Sociology

FCST 342FCST 342

Gender & FamiliesIndividuals and families are influenced by larger social forces that we may not always noticeIn the next few classes we will focus on three critical dimensions of familiesGender Race/ethnicitySexual orientation

Gender & FamiliesThe distinction between male and female, masculine and feminine is basic to the study of families

All societies exhibit a sharp distinction between what women and men do in families All cultures divide family labor like housework and child care based on gender

Gender Theory Gender theory argues that differences

between men and women are socially constructed.

That means we LEARN how to act like boys or girls, we are not necessarily born liking pink vs. blue

Gender theory emphasizes the role of society or culture, rather than biology.

In other words being feminine or masculine is learned and created through our social interactions

Sex & GenderSex & GenderSociologists distinguish between sex and genderSex: refers to the biological attributes that distinguish females from males such as: chromosomes, hormones, and “anatomical apparatus”

Gender: refers to the cultural and social meanings, experiences, and characteristics that are defined as appropriate for females and males

i.e. boys can’t wear skirts, boys should not cry, girls are good at cooking, or women don’t play basketball as well as men

Gender TheoryGender Theory Because gender is a SOCIAL construction

it is fluid or always changing

Then….

Gender TheoryGender Theory Because gender is a SOCIAL construction Because gender is a SOCIAL construction

it is fluid or always changingit is fluid or always changing

Now…

Sex is a biological creation Gender is a social creation

Sociologists argue that gender is “socially constructed” or created

In other words men and women learn many masculine and feminine behaviors though socialization

Sex & GenderSex & Gender

Social Construction of Gender Why do sociologists argue that gender is

socially constructed?1) Expectations of each gender vary from society to anotherExample: In Pakistan it is common for male friends to hold hands but this is not common among American men.

2) Gender behaviors vary within one culture at different points in timeExample: Men’s fashions in 17th century America were much more “feminine” compared to men’s fashions today.

Social Construction of GenderSocial Construction of Gender Why do sociologists argue that gender is socially

constructed? 3) The meanings of masculinity and femininity change

over the course of a person’s life.

Example: The meaning of femininity changes as women age – compare pre-pubescent girls to women who are of childbearing age or who are postmenopausal

4) Meaning of gender varies among different groups within a particular culture at a given point in time.

Example: Gender behaviors may be structured by class, race, ethnicity, age, region of the country etc.

Sociological Perspectives on Gender

How are gender roles acquired & how is gender constructed?

Gender role approach focuses on the how parents, and other social institutions transmit gendered expectations about appropriate behavior through socialization

Socialization is the process by which individuals acquire society’s norms and values

Socialization is a life long process

Sociological Perspectives on Gender

West and Zimmerman ‘Doing Gender’ Argue that we need to be continually

“resocialized” into gender roles or reminded how to act like a man or act like a woman

Gender is produced through interaction For example: in families – doing housework is

“doing gender” Men and women reinforce gender roles by

doing gender appropriate household work EVERY DAY!

Sociological Perspectives on Gender

West and Zimmerman ‘Doing Gender’ They argue that gender is a “routine

accomplishment” embedded in every day interaction

In other words, we are continually acting out being a man or being a woman in social situations

Gender emerges from an interaction or a social situation

Sociological Perspectives on Gender

West and Zimmerman ‘Doing Gender’ Can you think of an example when you

were doing gender:

I was doing gender when:

Doing Gender in Families

http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_21434.aspx

Doing Gender?

Doing Gender?

Paid Work, Gender & Families After rising for several decades, the labor

force participation rate for women has shown little growth in recent years

The participation rate for adult men has drifted down over time.

Mothers with older children have highest labor force participation rate

WHY? Children are expensive!!

According to the most recent figures: the According to the most recent figures: the unemployment rate:unemployment rate:

for men: 27% up from 20% in 1970for men: 27% up from 20% in 1970

for women 40.5% decreased from 57% in 1970for women 40.5% decreased from 57% in 1970

The latest figures on unemployment

2008

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Employment and earnings online JanuaryRetreived from http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/cats/labor_force_employment_earnings/labor_force_status.html, September 24, 2010

Male dominance in governmenthas declined only recently

Before 1992, there had never been more than 2 women among our 100 U.S. senators.

As of 2007, 16 women in the Senate

(out of 100) 71 women in House of Representatives

(out of 435) http://womenincongress.house.gov/profiles/index.html

The former Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, was the only woman to hold that job (now replaced by a man)

Only 16 percent of the U.S. Congress are womenSource: History News Networkhttp://hnn.us/roundup/entries/33847.html

Male dominance in governmenthas declined only recently

A recent set of polls conducted BEFORE the last presidential election found:

67 - 71 percent believe the U.S. is ready to elect a woman president

Over 74 percent believe the U.S, is ready to elect an African/American/black candidate

Source: http://www.pollingreport.com/politics.htm://www.cawp.rutgers.edu/Facts/Elections/pres08_polls/Gallup_6in10.pdf

Sociological Perspectives on Gender

Another prominent ways that patriarchy or male dominance is reinforced is through linguistic sexism.

Examples: Men are referred to as Mr. This title reveals nothing about a man’s relationship to a

women Women are referred to as Miss and Mrs. (and Ms.) which

define women in terms of their relationship with a man Women still continue to be subsumed under their husbands

names for example, Mrs. John Smith

Sociological Perspectives on Gender

Taking your husbands name …. Some argue – it is just easier if couple and

children have the same name – Others argue - isn’t changing your name on all

legal documents confusing and time consuming?

And why is it almost always women who change their names to their husbands’ name?

This is a holdover from older patriarchal customs

Summary

Summary Acting in gender appropriate ways

reinforces gender differences Sociologists argue that gender is

socially constructed through economic and social constraints on women’s behavior and their ability to achieve equality with men

Summary Summary Gender is continuously constructed through

everyday interaction – “doing gender” Men’s power is embedded in the social

structure Gender and families are intertwined Families are a social institution in which

gender is socially constructed