Gender

1. Gender - Major sociological theories of gender "Sex" refers to our biological and physiological traits; "Gender" refers to the roles society assigns people based on their sex. Each major sociological framework has its own views and theories regarding gender and why gender inequality exists. Feminist theorists also address issues in gender and address new issues that the major theoretical frameworks do not. Functionalist theorists argue that men fill instrumental roles in society while women fill expressive roles, which works to the benefit of society. Further, it is our socialization into prescribed roles that is the driving force behind gender inequality. For example, these theorists see wage inequalities as the result of choices women make, which involve family roles that compete with their work roles. Symbolic interactionists look at gender from the micro perspective and examine gender stratification on a day-to-day level. For example, men are more likely to interrupt women in conversations and their workspaces generally reflect greater power. These theorists also focus on how gender roles are internalized by males and females. Conflict theorists view women as disadvantaged because of power inequalities between women and men that are built into the social structure. For example, from this viewpoint, wage inequalities that exist between men and women result from men's historic power to devalue women's work and benefit as a group from the services that women's labor provides. Feminist theory emerged out of the women's movement and aims to understand the position of women in society for the sole purpose of improving their position in society. There are four major frameworks that have developed out of feminist theory: liberal feminism, socialist feminism, radical feminism, and multiracial feminism. Liberal feminist argue that gender inequality results from past traditions that pose barriers to women's advancement. It emphasizes individual rights and equal opportunity as the basis for social justice and reform. Socialist feminists, on the other hand, argue that the origin of women's oppression lies with the system of capitalism. Because women are a cheap supply of labor, they are exploited by capitalism, which makes them less powerful both as women and as workers. Third, radical feminists see patriarchy as the main cause of women's oppression and argue that women's oppression lies in men's control over women's bodies. Finally, multiracial feminists examine the interactive influence of gender, race, and class, showing how together they shape the experiences of all women and men.