Define sex and gender systems as institutionalized pattern

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Chapter 1 Overview

• Course Number Gender Studies 100
• Women, Men, and Society
• Annette Schonder
• Orange Coast College
• Division of Social Sciences
• Department of Sociology

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Studying Gender An Overview, Chapter 1
-We draw conclusions about people based on
sex. -We hold expectations about how men and
women should behave -Define sex -Define
gender -Define stereotypes general -Define
stereotypes gender -How are non-conformists
treated? -Define sex and gender systems as
institutionalized patterns of gender
differentiation Sex and gender
stratification 1. Based on sex 2. Labor
division based on sex 3. Sexuality regulated
based on sex -gt sanctions This leads to unequal
opportunities holds for many other countries.
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Sociological Perspectives on Gender Paradigms -1
Sociology scientific study of human societies
and cultures, and social behavior. There is great
variability in how research is done and what is
studied. The science has multiple paradigms or is
called pre-paradigmatic 1940-1960 Structural
Functionalism Stable system, societal consensus,
equilibrium Men and women as seen as biologically
different-gt different gender roles -gt
natural/best arrangement Critique gender is
socially constructed and limits men and
women Favors the status quo.
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Sociological Perspectives on Gender Paradigms -2
A Paradigm Revolution 1960 -Why? Vietnam
War/protest Civil rights movement Womens
liberation movement It was clear that society was
not orderly and harmonious. There was no societal
consensus
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Sociological Perspectives on Gender Paradigms -3
A Feminist Sociology of Gender Plurality of
feminisms. How and what is studied is
diverse. -Feminist paradigm Both nature and
learning is important in the acquisition of
gender. Biology and nurture are
intertwined. Assumption of the feminist
perspective is gender is socially created. A
result of social learning. What we learn is also
a product of our political and economic
structure. Issue Sexism/or sex bias Why? most
sociological studies by men based on men, but
generalized to all. Gender was only considered in
areas like family and marriage, a non-issue in
soc of work, or soc of organization etc. womens
research findings were analyzed considering male
standards for normalcy or rightness. I.e.
mobility studies womens mobility was measured
by comparing the fathers status to the husbands.
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Sociological Perspectives on Gender Paradigms -4
Goal a holistic view of women and men. Do not
exclude men, but include women Use research
methods that allow subject to express feelings
and speak for themselves Rather than imposing a
viewpoint -gtfeminist research is dualistic has
subjective and objective dimension Is research
ever value free? Goal to change behaviors and
conditions that are harmful or oppressive. Be
inclusive of mens experiences. Limited by
gender roles Knowing that not all men are in
power positions as male power is reserved for the
upper classes Knowing that there are other
systems of oppression affecting us
simultaneous. Group Consciousness Tease out
personal issues from structural issues. -gt
recognize structural problem, unite into a social
movement FEMINIST MOVEMENT OR WOMENS MOVEMENT,
and trigger social change
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Feminism in historical perspective - 1
First wave of feminism (1830-1920) Suffragist
movement 19th century For many women other issues
were very relevant See box 1 Even in the Middle
Ages documentation of women resisting gender
inequality was found. As womens writings were
excluded, a feminist consciousness could not
develop until women were aware of other women who
were fighting for the same rights. Late 1700
a number of women began publicly calling for
equal rights/education. Despite the notion of all
humans having equal rights, women were excluded
from many professions. The more affluent/educated
women engaged in philanthropy. Women demanding
equal rights too second place to slavery,
poverty, harsh working conditions. Working on the
abolition of slavery -gt women united/learned the
ropes, politicized 1840 First anti slavery
conference in London, women were not allowed to
speak. -gt anger
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Feminism in historical perspective - 2
Mott and Stanteon, Seneca Falls, NY, July 19-29,
1848. Declaration of Sentiments was adopted
unanimously except the right to vote. Feared that
they would be too threatening to men. Not until
8-26-1920 did women gain the right to vote (19th
amendment) Some women voted, mostly for
men. After the war effort (WW I), the cult of
domesticity was resurrected. The modern
emancipated middle class housewife was a
household manager/femininity rather than feminism.
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Feminism in historical perspective - 3
Second wave Took off with Friedans book The
feminine mystique. Middle /upper class women
living in comfortable concentration camps. The
problem with no name women feeling
empty/unfulfilled subordinating their needs to
their husbands and kids. Awareness of a social
problem, awareness of its political nature Equal
pay act 1963NOW formed 1966 Split between
heterosexual feminists and lesbians
(Radicalesbians as they called themselves) -gt
Diverse group with diverse agendas, even pro
feminist mens movement
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Contemporary Feminism (3)
1. gender-reform feminism Emphasize the
similarities rather than the differences between
women and men. Goal equal opportunities in all
areas of social life 4 types of feminisms 1.
Liberal securing same rights 2. Marxist
focus on economic independence of women/jobs, pay
etc. 3. Socialist same as above 4.
Development seek to improve work and
educational opportunities for women n
economically developing countries
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Contemporary Feminism (3) - Continue
2. gender-resistance feminisms Focus on how
womens ideas and experiences are different for
men and women Urge women to break away form male
dominance by forming separate, women only
organizations and communities. This does not
really change the order. 1. Radical feminism
focus on the sexual exploitation of women by men,
especially violence 2. Lesbian feminism same
as above 3. Psychoanalytic feminism uses Freud
theory to explain gender inequality 4. Standpoint
feminism attempts to examine all aspects of
life from a womens unique standpoint.
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Contemporary Feminism (3) Continue
3. Gender rebellion feminism (3rd wave
feminists) Focus on the interrelationships among
inequalities of gender race and ethnicity, social
class, and sexual orientation. 1. Multiracial
feminism focus how women are disadvantaged
within certain groups. 2. Mens feminism
same as above 3. Social construction feminism
study how gender is learned/that labels that are
used-social construction of gender 4. Postmodern
feminism to redefine gender to fit the real
picture 5. Queer feminism same as above This
is just and outline of a movement. There are
many variations. The movement is diverse -gt
problem criticism, lack of a unified voice
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The future of feminism
Backlash in the 1980/90 Feminists seen as man
haters Feminism making people uncomfortable as
nobody wants to be a victim and nobody wants to
be the victimizer. Media portrayed negative
images. Todays feminists are drawn for the white
middle class. There are my groups though, that
address racial, social, sexist and lesbian
issues. Women of colors most often identify
themselves as feminists. One might argue that
white women want to be part of the white male
power elite, whereas women of color seek a decent
standard of living/no discrimination.