Sociology

Sociology Study Guide

society also played a large part in how well they blended. For example, small groups of highly skilled workers were more readily accepted. Large groups of unskilled workers were seen as lazy or incompetent and avoided or shunned. 4.5 Sex and Gender Roles There are two biologically distinctive categories of humans ( sex ), male and female. Gender refers to culturally learned differences between males and females and socially learned traits. Gender roles are the socially acceptable behaviors of each sex. Such gender differences are due, according tomost sociologists, to both social conditioning and circumstances. Gender inequality exists just as racial and ethnic inequality does. Different roles are unequally rankedor judged and the social statuses of the sexes continue that unequal trend. The biological differences that actually exist between the sexes are anatomical, genetic, andhormonal. Anatomically, it is obvious what the difference is (genitalia). Genetically, females have two X chromosomes while males have an X and a Y. Both males and females produce the three main sex hormones testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen. However, each sex produces a different mix. Males produce more testosterone and females produce more estrogen. The psychological differences between the sexes include behavior, mental ability, and personality. For example, men are usually better at math and more aggressive while women are usually more nurturing and emotional. It is hard to tell if these differences, however, are inherited or learned. Most likely, it is a combination of predisposition and environmental cues. Sex is a constant but gender is based on societal roles. Historically, each sex has fulfilled their gender roles. Generally, this leads women into more passive and physically weak roles while men took the tough and strong roles. Gender identity is one’s self-concept of being male or female. Gender roles have undergone some societal changes in the last decades. Only time will tell if any major shifts will occur in the most popular gender role assumptions. Perspectives • Functionalist Perspective: Functionalists opine that because gender differences have existed since the beginning of history, theymust serve positively in the cohesiveness of society. When duties are assigned according to sex, an efficient means of labor division means more work is done quicker and no decisions have to be made on what to teach each new child. With this comes social stability. • Conflict Perspective: Conflict theorists claim that gender inequality is another form of social stratification. In this form, even though women are found at every position as men are in today’s society, women are viewed as inferior to men in the same standing. Because males dominate the society and because they enjoy their superiority, they are unlikely to change the status quo concerning gender inequality.

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