Social construct
created to set
labels, norms and
values of a person
depending on their
biological sex.
These are labeled
gender roles and
the definition of
gender roles have
been changing
over time.
Views
Radical Feminism
Gender equality does
not exist as society is
patriarcal
Secondary socialisation
can be harmful to women
as it can cause body image
issues
Marxism
Popular and mass
culture are used to
distract society from
social inequality
Conflict theory: gender
inequality is necorssary
Society benefits those in power
In a patriarchal
society that would
be males getting the
benefits
Gender supports capitalism;
women reproduce (by having
kids) maintain (by proving their
kids with the norms and values
of capitalism) and support
capitalism
Functionalism
Society beneifits everyone in
different ways, no matter their
gender.
Gender roles are vital in
society as it helps it run
smoothly.
Gender roles give us a
collective
consciousness - social
guidence
Post Modernism
Norms and values are
always changing which
means that equality in
improving
Gender diversity is
becoming visible; altering
modern day gender roles
Social variables
replaced by
consumption
Studies
Parsons (1995)
Females have an
expressive role,
natural but
reinforsed by
socailisation
Males have an
instrumental role ,
natural but
reinforced by
socialisation
Mac An Ghaill (1994)
Focus' on huper
masculinity amoung
males
This included policing
their own and others
sexualities
Noting the inserurity
amoung working class men
(labelled the crisis of
masculinity) as their identity
as breadwinner is lost.
Jackson (2006)
Women adopting
'laddishness' - a form of
masculinity
These women, labelled
'laddetts' perform risky
acts such as smoking,
drinking, swearing and
being a disruptive person.
They fear they may be
seen as uncool or loose
popularity if they do not
take part in these acts
Interactionism
Labelling theory
Rejecting GR can
allow negative
labelling for both
males and females
Impression Management
People are convinced
they must put on a
persona to be
accepted into society
Looking Glass Self
Women are persuaded
by agencies of
socialisation that they
must appeal in a certain
way
They judge by how
others perceive them;
they change aspects
of themselves in
order to 'fit in'
Social identity
means how your
identity is shown
in society and seen
by others
This can be created
from various factors in
someone's life such as
gender, sexuality, class,
ethnicity, nationality,
age and hybrid identities
Sexuality
a label given due to
who, on a category
of gender, one
would find sexually
or romantically
attractive
The norm in society
would be heterosexual
but recently society
has become more
accepting of
homosexuality and
bisexuality
Theory
Radical Feminists
Hetronormativity is
still the "norm"
Women are
sexualised for
men in the
media
Pornography and
prostitution linked to
domestic violence and
rape as women are seen
as objects
Marxism
Heterosexuality is
the norm because it
serves society
(reproduction)
Society is distracted, by
popular culture, from
issues with
non-heterosexual
individuals
Functionalism
GR ensure society
runs smoothly; this
can include the role of
heteronormativity
Therefore the traditional
nuclear family works best
for society
Post modernism
Heteronormativity
is breaking down;
more rights to non
heterosexual people
Media starts normalising
homosexual relationships
Interactionism
Labelling theory
Due to heteronormativity
people who are out are given a
label of their sexuality which
can be seen as a negative label
They would only be
recognised as their
sexuality
Impression management
Many homosexuals would
either conform to their social
stereotypes or hide them if
they can relate to such
If they are not 'out' they
would create a false
persona in society and
only acknowledge their
true selves in private
Looking Glass Self
Non-heterosexuality is
becoming more acceptable in
western cultures however
many non-heterosexual
individuals still worry about
how they would be perceived
Young individuals would
see how others use the
term 'gay' and view
themselves (if they identify
as such) with that meaning
If the meaning was
negative they would
think of that aspect of
themselves negativly
Studies
Weeks (1991)
"Sexual identification
is a strange thing"
Sexuality is more
complex than other
aspects of an identity
People may or may not
participate in sexual activity
with those that they are
sexually attracted to
Rich (1980)
(Radical
feminist)
Women's
sexuality is
oppressed by
the patriarchy
This is through
objectification and
sexual
violence/rape
Women took part in
'compulsory
heterosexuality; they
are socialised into a
heterosexual role for
men
Lesbian identity
is erased as it
can only be a
threat or sexy to
males
Mcintosh (1996)
Claiming that
homosexual mean
fill a 'homosexual
role' in western
cultures
Homosexual males
were given certain
stereotypes on their
characteristics (higher
pitched voice, increase
in vanity,- camp, etc)
Males who where
openly homosexual
were shown to
have the
characteristics
stereotyped
Class
Class is a social system,
used more often
decades ago, that
seperated people due to
different class levels
Their class was determined
by wealth and income, and
the occupation they held to
earn such.
Children were classified under
their parents' classes until they
were earning a living themselves
Views
Feminism
Gender
equality;
women
earn less
and gain
less power
than men