Chapter 10

Sex, Gender and Sexuality

Chapter Outline 

Sexual Differentiation Perspectives on Gender Inequality Gender as Social Construction and

Social Structure Differences in Life Chances by Sex Gender and Power The Sociology of Sexuality

 Sex and Gender

Biology differentiates the sexes. Society differentiates male and female

roles. Gender roles ascribed to men and

women vary greatly from culture to culture.

 Gender Roles Across Cultures

In virtually all cultures: Women are expected to focus on child-

raising. Men tend to have more power. Male children are valued over female

children.

Violence Toward Women

In the U.S. in 1996 more than 840,000 women were murdered, raped, assaulted or robbed by an intimate.

More than 100 million women, in African countries and in Asia, South America, and Europe, have undergone genital mutilation.

In India 6,006 new brides were known to have been murdered in 1997 by their husbands or in-laws.

Structural-functional Theory of Gender Inequality

Focuses on the functions of gendered division of labor:

Reduces competition between men and women.

Makes both sexes specialists in their roles.

Requires an interdependence of men and women.

Conflict Theory of Gender Inequality

Subjugation of women to subordinate roles benefits men and capitalism.

Capitalists benefit from a labor market that splits the interests of men and women workers—in favor of men.

Segmented labor market provides a low-wage female labor reserve.

Symbolic Interaction and Gender Inequality

Sexism arises through culturally patterned interaction in everyday life.

Studies demonstrate differences in the ways boys and girls are are treated by teachers and each other.

Symbolic Interaction and Gender Inequality

Teachers tend to ask boys analytical questions.

Boys in a summer camp setting tend to be ranked based on athletic prowess and aggressiveness.

Girls are devalued and denied power relative to even the lowest status boys.

Differences in Life-chances by Sex

There is a gap between the sexes when it comes to doctoral or professional degrees.

The care of children makes it difficult for women to be considered on an equal occupational footing with men.

Labor-force participation by women approaches that of men.

Bachelor’s Degrees Earned, by Field, 1971 and 2000

% Female

Field of Study 1971 2000

Business 9.1 49.7

Computer and information sciences

13.6 28.1

Education 74.5 75.8

Engineering 0.8 20.4

Bachelor’s Degrees Earned, by Field, 1971 and 2000

% Female

Field of Study 1971 2000

Health sciences 77.1 83.8

Home economics 97.3 87.9

Pre-law 6.0 73.0

Mathematics 37.9 47.1

Social sciences and history 36.8 51.2

Labor-Force Participation of Men and Women 16 and Over

Reasons Why Women and Men Have Different Jobs

1. Gendered jobs.Lower paying jobs like nursing and teaching tend to be “women’s work”.

2. Different qualifications.Women are less likely to have as much experience or education as men.

3. Discrimination, often based on sexism, works against women’s options in the world of work.

Same Job, Different Earnings

Three reasons why men earn more than women who do the same work:

1. Different titles.

2. Segmented labor market.

3. Family responsibilities.

Sex Differences in Earnings from the Same Occupation

Median Weekly Earnings

Occupation Males Females

Accountants $953 $690

Engineers 1,126 949

Natural scientists 1,007 726

Computer programmers

968 868

Lawyers 1,439 1,053

 Male Disadvantages

Men also pay for the imbalances of power and privilege in gender roles.

Mortality rates for men are higher throughout the life cycle partly due to norms that encourage men to suppress their feelings.

Male Disadvantages

The male role does not encourage the cultivation of emotionally supportive relationships.

Men may suffer serious stress from associating self-esteem with net worth.