Gender inequality from a socological point of view

Gender inequality from a socological point of viewIn this experi ment I provide discuss how sexuality inequality has been developed. In doing so I will explore three board approaches on sexual activity differences and inequality. Which I will compargon and contract with functionalist approach who see that sexual urge roles fit the needs of the favor sufficient system, and Feminist explanation who surround women argon unequal to men. First I will introduce the biologic hind end on behavioural difference between men and wo troops, back up by theorist tiger and Fox (1972), Functionalist John Bowlby (1953), Jean Elshtain (1987). Next I will draw attention to theories placing central importance on lovingising and the development of grammatical gender roles by looking at the works of easy Feminist Sue curt (1994) and Ann Oakley (1972). However while these theoretical approaches look to explain the persistence of gender inequalities this essay will therefore go on to comp be two opposing views, that of Functionalist and bolshy Feminist, in dress to allow for greater depth in the analysis of these positions. I will do this by considering reasons made by functionalist theorist Talcott Parsons forms of complementary roles (1942) and Murdock (1949) and what is overmuch Marxist theorist Friedrich Engels ideas on capitalism (1902). Finally victorious everything into identify I will go on to critically assess the judge of native Feminist to overcome gender inequality, where I will betoken that radical libber efforts to defeat gender inequalities has been less victorious then progressive womens rightist, however there extreme views hold strong arguments on issues such(prenominal) as domestic violence.Sex ignore be cope withn as ambiguous term, which refers to the biological distinction between females and males (Macionis, Plummer, 2008367). Many sociologists, who adopt the biological approach, propose that the functions of the brain an d hormones to chromosomes are responsible for natural differences in behaviour between men and char. They make do that men demonstrate biological ground tendencies towards aggression that woman lack. This approach has been supported by theorist Tiger and Fox (1972), who agree that the natural selection has boost hormonal differences, which can explain gender differences such as senses, behaviour and emotions they further collide with in that nature intended mothers and children to stay together. In contrast, this argument supports functionalist views on enatic deprivation as suggested by John Bowlby (1953) who wrote a psychological trace of the ill effects of maternal deprivation on children. However womens rightist endure argued that this has been misrepresented as an ideological argument to keep women at home. In addition many researchers rebriny unconvinced by the biological approach, such as theorist Elshtain (1987) who suggested that the level of aggression varies for woman in different cultures, therefore the biological approach fails to take cultural factors to account. moreover critics point out that this theory is grounded upon data, animal behaviour rather than anthropological and historical data (Giddens, 2009613).Gender refers to the neighborly aspects of differences and hierarchies between male and females (Macionis, Plummer, 2008367). unlike the biological approach, many sociologists argue that there is nonhing natural near gender inequality rather it is sociablely constructed with companionableising of learning of gender roles. Liberal Feminist Anne Oakley (1972) claimed that gender roles are learnt through hearty agencies such as family where manipulation and canalisation takes place, school where boys are encouraged to take on sports, and the media where women are portrayed as housewives in adverts for cleanup spot products. Ultimately children gradually internalize social norms and set that are evaluate from them which co rrespond with their sex. Consequently norms and values are culturally produced along with ideals of masculinity, femininity, which finally has led to the sexual division of labour. Oakley has disputed that the process of socialisation of gender roles is guided by manipulation, for example in the home, boys and girls are encouraged to prevail with gender specific toys. The patriarchal semipolitical orientation that is through claims that women are more suited to caring roles because of their maternal instinct supports functionalist views. Functionalists baffle used this ideology to argue that social agencies contribute to maintain social order by overseeing the smooth gender socialisation of new generations. However this has been sharply criticised by womens rightist who argue that this theory ignores the ability if individuals to reject certain norms and values projected by society.Theorist Connell (1987) extended that empirical evidence on gender inequality is not s intimate a shapeless plentitude of data, but reveals the basis of an organised field of human practice and social relations through which woman are kept in get over positions to men (Connell, 1987). On a more optimistic note Connell suggested how females are seeking for lurch, for example school girls are taking interest in competitive sports, calling their own shots, which suggest gender inequality victimized within the family and state is universe challenged, the means that have traditionally supported mens power is being weakened. However despite the transforms in society and the economy, such as the Thatcher era, which represented new female role models in power, did not seem to have had much impact on the girls attitudes as the need Just Like A Girl by Sue Sharp (1994) concluded, that girls still expected to undertake womens work, such as health work, teaching. that the study did present some change, such as greater stress on equality with men, which came with a sense of asser tiveness and confidence. There was a greater importance of having a job, being able to support themselves, oddly in the vitrine of a divorce. Nonetheless the girls in Sharps findings indicated that the girls look off to a future in which they are likely to end up juggling work and domestic breeding like their mothers before them. (Sharp, 1994).Functionalist see each aspect of society as interdependent and contributes to societys functioning as a whole, held together by social consensus, which produces order, stability, and productivity. Their sociological interest in gender is relatively recent, there theory proposes that gender differences contribute to social stability and integration and assume they fit the needs of individuals, the family and the social system. In contrast with the roles influenced by biology and learning of gender roles, through socialisation emphasise that the womans primary responsibility is the home. Anthropologist Murdock cross culture study (1949) str ess the significance of motherhood and concluded that the mothers role and the family are universal, where womans main equal should be at the home, whereas mens main work should be outside the home. moreover a leading functionalist Parsons (1956) emphasised the important functions of the family, mainly as regards the stabilization socialisation of children. The female taking on the expressive role providing administer and security to children and offering them emotional support compared with the instrumental male role, where man take on the role of the bread winner in the family, these roles are seen as complementary which Parson believed helped integrate society.However the functionalist perspective neglects the inequalities in the distribution of labour and power, with the consequential exploitation of women in work and at home. Therefore theorist Oakley argued against Murdocks secondary data, by refuting his claim, that gender roles were universal, though she accredited that sexuality, reproduction and maternal care are influenced by biology. It can be heavily argued that the functionalist approach on gender neglect the negative functions of an event such as divorce. The fact that the approach justifies the status quo and complacency on the part of societys members, critics therefore have argued even when such social change may benefit society functionalist fail to encourage sight to take an active role in changing their social environment. Instead, functionalism sees active social change as a threat to society because the various separate of society will reimburse naturally for any problems that may occur. unconnected functionalist, the Marxist feminist approach does not focus on the domineering aspects of society that contribute to its stability, but takes on a conflict perspective, which is providential by Karl Marxs writings on class struggles. There approach draws main focus on the conflicted and changing nature of society. Whereas functionalist s continue to avoid social change, however Marxist theorists challenge the status quo and encourage social change even when this means social revolution. Marxist feminist strongly believes gender inequality is down to capitalism, rich and powerful people who force social order on the poor and the weak. Engels (1902) noted that capitalism intensifies male domination, primary capitalist create more wealth, which confers greater power on men as wage earners, expanding capitalist economy depends on defining people especially woman as customers and consumers and convincing them that personal fulfilment derives from owning and utilize products. (Macionis, Plummer, 2008382), according to Engels this allowed men to work while society assigned woman the task of maintaining the home. The double exploitation of capitalism as Engels saw it gainful low wages to male labour, and no wages to for female wok. (Macionis, Plummer, 2008367).Marxist further suggests companies only employ woman when t hey really need them, qualification them more disposable, therefore they argue that women are a reserve soldiers of labour. However critics see their theory as underestimating the particular shortcomings of women, and fail to explain gender inequality in socialist societies. More so, many argue that its overly negative view of society, ultimately attributes the efforts of positive aspects of society such as humanitarian, democracy, civil rights. There theory of reverse army of labour, critics argue it fails to explain why there are womens jobs and mens jobs. It is seems to overlook the fact that patriarchy can be influential by itself. The Marxist feminists seem to imply that once capitalism is abolished gender inequality will disappear, which might not actually be the case. (Weineck, 2007).Many movements have been successful in their attempts of overcoming gender inequality however some have not been as victorious, besides hold strong arguments such as the Radical Feminist. The y have want to tackle gender inequality by extreme protesting of patriarchy, as they believe that men are responsible for the inequality of woman. Early Radical feminist Firestone (1971) argues that men control womans roles in reproduction and childrearing. Because women are biologically able to give birth to children, they become depended materially on men for surety and livelihood. (Giddens, 2009617). She further suggests this biological inequality is socially organized in the nu crown family. Radical feminist have brought to light key arguments, such as free domestic labour, where men exploit woman by replying on the free labour woman provide in the home.Unlike Radical feminist, liberal feminist have conquered more in overcoming gender inequality. Liberal Feminist are moderate in their methods and aims, who seek to better womans rights through political and legal reform, they have gone on to achieve canon such as the Equal Pay Act (1970) and the Sex secretion Act (1975). Thou gh Radical feminist are seen to pursue a revolutionary agenda, however like liberal feminist, they stress practical political strategies. Nevertheless in contrast to liberal feminist frameworks, radical feminist is inclined to be suspicious of government intervention, perceiving the state itself as being intrinsically patriarchal, and also tends to focus on the politics of the private sphere, in particular sexuality, motherhood and bodies. (Beasley,199955). However Radical feminist have more in common with Marxist on terms of acknowledging that social life is embodied but as will shortly become evident, the dip of the latter feminist approach is frequently to limit interest in embodiment to the laboring body of the paid. (Beasley, 199955). However they have criticized Marxist feminist on their view on capitalism, claiming that abolishing capitalism would not end patriarchy.Despite the fact that is can be heavily argued that radical feminist efforts have been less successful then li beral feminist, it is important to acknowledge their efforts of do society aware of the severity of domestic violence. There argument holds much relevance in todays society, as statistics show that woman as having a high rate of victimization, 1 in 4 women will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime. (Oxfam, 2011). The womans aid identify stated that Between 10 and 69 per cent of women report deprave by their intimate partner in every country where accredited data exist. (Womans Aid, 2011). The efforts of radical feminist in overcoming this inequality has been successful in terms of providing shelters for abused woman, which did not exist in the 1970s. Furthermore there are now laws mandating the reporting of domestic violence of domestic due to the efforts made by the radical feminist.In conclusion, all the theories I have touched upon provide a variations of explanations on gender inequality, therefore it is clear to say there approaches are not cut from the same cloth. I feel the most convincing explanations are the aspects of socialisation of learning gender roles. I think this is important, as people sometimes without even realising it socialize boys and girls differently from an early age. The functionalist view on gender, I feel is out-of-date to some extent as social change is constantly taking place however it is important to look at all the argument made when exploring gender inequality. Though many feminist groups share unconnected views with one another such as radical feminist, liberal feminist and Marxist feminist, however it is important to appreciate their central aim of mental strain to help woman have the same equality as men.