Chromosomes, Gender and Sexuality - Sociological Imagination - Lecture Slides, Slides of Sociology

Download Chromosomes, Gender and Sexuality - Sociological Imagination - Lecture Slides and more Slides Sociology in PDF only on Docsity! CHAPTER 9: GENDER AND SEXUALITY docsity.com FEMALE-MALE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES • Sex—the biological characteristics with which we were born – Chromosomes, anatomy, hormones • Gender—learned attitudes and behaviors that characterize people of one sex or the other – Based on social and cultural expectations 1 docsity.com Application Identify the correct concept: sex, gender, gender identity, or gender role – Three-year-old Samantha announces, "I'm a girl and girls don't do that." – Kendra is born with a vagina and ovaries. docsity.com Application – When Paul falls down on the playground he tries not to cry. – Juan believes that males should protect their families. docsity.com CONTEMPORARY GENDER STRATIFICATION AND INEQUALITY • Sexism—an attitude or behavior that discriminates against one sex, usually women, based on assumed superiority of the other sex • Gender stratification—people's unequal access to wealth, power, status, prestige, and other valued resources 2 docsity.com Examples of gender inequality: • Sexual harassment is especially common in male-dominated occupations. • Women are much less likely to be elected to office, especially at higher levels. 2 docsity.com Examples of gender inequality: FIGURE 9.4 Oo Men ClWomen High schoo} graduates Bachelor's degree or more 0 20,000 40,009 60,000 80,900 100,000 Note: These figures fepresent the average earnings of year-round full-time workers 18 years and Older in 2005, SOURCE: Based on US. Census Bureau 2008; Table 687. docsity cB Example of gender inequality Of the almost 632,000 full-time faculty in 2005, 49% were women docsity.com Advances toward Equality: • In 2007, Nancy Pelosi became the first female Speaker of the House. • Women are increasingly becoming mayors, governors, and members of Congress. 2 docsity.com Discussion Why does sexual stratification continue to exist? 2 docsity.com SEXUAL ORIENTATION • Sexual orientation—a preference for sexual partners of the same sex, of the opposite sex, or of both sexes 3 docsity.com SOME CURRENT CONTROVERSIES ABOUT GENDER AND SEXUALITY • Abortion—the expulsion of an embryo or fetus from the uterus • Abortion was outlawed in the 1800s and legalized again in 1973 with Roe v. Wade. • The abortion rate has decreased steadily since 1980. • It is most common among young, never- married women. 4 docsity.com 4 • About 55% of Americans support abortion, but with some limits. • 20% believe it should be illegal in all circumstances. • 24% believe it should be legal. • Abortion rights remains a controversial topic. Abortions docsity.com Abortions FIGURE 9,2 Who Gets Abortions? Age Race/Ethnicity Marital Status 40 or older Other* Never 3 Married married 30-39 19 oF younger 7% 17% 67% 22% 19% Latina White 20% 41% Separated, divorced, or widowed 20-24 16% 25-29 33% Black 25% 5 32% Note:“Other" refers to Asian/Pacific Islanders, American Indians, and Alaska Natives, Source: Based On Guttmacher Institute 2005, 2008. -docsity.com • A majority of Americans support civil unions. • A majority of Americans oppose same- sex marriage. 4 Same-Sex Marriage docsity.com Discussion • What do you think the laws should be about civil unions? • What do you think the laws should be about same-sex marriages? 4 docsity.com Pornography • Pornography—the graphic depiction of images that causes sexual arousal • In the U.S., pornography is a $15 billion industry. • Over 90% of Internet pornography viewers are men. • Pornography remains a controversial subject. 4 docsity.com • Conflict theory sees gender inequality as built into the social structure. • Capitalism explains complementary roles. • Men's domination of women is the result of gender power differences. 5 Conflict Theory docsity.com • Feminist theories emphasize women's subordination. – Liberal feminism maintains that gender equality can be achieved through equal civil rights and equal opportunities. – Radical feminism contends that patriarchy is the reason for women's oppression. 5 Feminist Theories docsity.com – Multiracial feminism maintains that gender, race, and social class intertwine to form a hierarchical stratification system. • Feminist theorists point to sexuality as the root of inequality. 5 Feminist Theories docsity.com