Gender inequality from a socological point of view

Gender inequality from a socological point of viewIn this essay I forget discuss how gender inequality has been explained. In doing so I exit explore three board overturees on gender differences and inequality. Which I ordain discriminate and contract with functionalist approach who believe that gender roles fit the needs of the favorable system, and Feminist explanation who argue wo hands argon unequal to men. First I w woozy introduce the biological basis on behavioural difference between men and woman, supported by theorizer Tiger and Fox (1972), Functionalist John Bowlby (1953), jean Elshtain (1987). Next I go away draw attention to theories placing central importance on acculturation and the learning of gender roles by looking at the industrial plant of Liberal Feminist Sue Sharp (1994) and Ann Oakley (1972). However while these theoretical approaches hear to explain the persistence of gender inequalities this essay will then go on to comp be two opposing views, that of Functionalist and Marxist Feminist, in order to solelyow for greater depth in the analysis of these positions. I will do this by considering arguments made by functionalist theorist Talcott Parsons forms of complementary roles (1942) and Murdock (1949) and furthermore Marxist theorist Friedrich Engels ideas on capitalism (1902). Finally fetching everything into account I will go on to critically assess the attempt of Radical Feminist to overcome gender inequality, where I will argue that radical womens rightist efforts to down gender inequalities has been less victorious then Liberal libber, however there extreme views hold strong arguments on issues such as domestic violence. finish up toilette be seen as ambiguous term, which refers to the biological distinction between fe manfuls and males (Macionis, Plummer, 2008367). Many sociologists, who adopt the biological approach, propose that the functions of the brain and hormones to chromo manys are responsible for infixed differences in behaviour between men and woman. They argue that men demonstrate biological based tendencies towards aggression that woman lack. This approach has been supported by theorist Tiger and Fox (1972), who agree that the natural selection has encouraged hormonal differences, which can explain gender differences such as senses, behaviour and emotions they further subscribe to that genius intended mothers and children to stay together. In contrast, this argument supports functionalist views on maternal deprivation as suggested by John Bowlby (1953) who wrote a psychological account of the ill effects of maternal deprivation on children. However feminist have argued that this has been misrepresented as an ideological argument to keep women at home. In gain many researchers remain 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. Furthermore critics point out that this supposition is grounded upon selective information, animal behaviour rather than anthropological and historical data (Giddens, 2009613).Gender refers to the cordial aspects of differences and hierarchies between male and females (Macionis, Plummer, 2008367). Unlike the biological approach, many sociologists argue that there is nothing natural about gender inequality rather it is socially constructed through socialisation of learning of gender roles. Liberal Feminist Anne Oakley (1972) claimed that gender roles are learnt through social 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 cleaning products. Ultimately children gradually internalize social norms and values that are pass judgment from them which correspond 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 steer by manipulation, for example in the home, boys and girls are encouraged to play with gender specific toys. The patriarchal ideology that is through claims that women are more suited to care roles because of their maternal instinct supports functionalist views. Functionalists have used this ideology to argue that social agencies contri merelye to maintain social order by overseeing the smooth gender socialisation of new generations. However this has been sharply criticised by feminist who argue that this theory ignores the ability if individuals to reject certain norms and values projected by society.Theorist Connell (1987) accent that empirical evidence on gender inequality is not simply a shapeless heap of data, but reveals the basis of an organised field of military man prac tice and social relations through which woman are kept in subordinate positions to men (Connell, 1987). On a more optimistic place Connell suggested how females are seeking for change, for example school girls are taking interest in competitive sports, calling their own shots, which suggest gender inequality utilize within the family and state is being challenged, the means that have traditionally supported mens power is being weakened. However Despite the changes 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 study Just identical A Girl by Sue Sharp (1994) concluded, that girls still expected to undertake womens work, such as health work, teaching. Nevertheless the study did present some change, such as greater stress on equality with men, which came with a sense of assertiveness and confidence. There was a greater importance of having a job, being able t o support themselves, especially in the event of a divorce. Nonetheless the girls in Sharps findings indicated that the girls look forward to a future in which they are presumable to end up juggling work and domestic life like their mothers before them. (Sharp, 1994).Functionalist see each aspect of society as interdependent and contributes to societys go 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 mark that the womans primary responsibility is the home. Anthropologist Murdock cross culture study (1949) emphasised the significance of motherhood and concluded that the mothers role and the family are universal, where womans main concern should be at the home, whereas mens main work should be outside the home. Furthermore a leading functionalist Parsons (1956) emphasised the principal(prenominal) functions of the family, mainly as regards the stabilisation socialisation of children. The female taking on the expressive role providing care and security to children and offering them emotional support compared with the instrumental male role, where man take on the role of the pelf 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 accepted that sexuality, reproduction and maternal care are influenced by biology. It can be heavi ly 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 muckle to take an alive(p) role in changing their social environment. Instead, functionalism sees active social change as a threat to society because the various parts of society will reimburse naturally for any problems that may occur.Unlike functionalist, the Marxist feminist approach does not focus on the positive aspects of society that contribute to its stability, but takes on a conflict perspective, which is inspired by Karl Marxs writings on class struggles. There approach draws main focus on the conflicted and changing nature of society. Whereas functionalists continue to avoid social change, however Marxist theorists challenge the status quo and encourag e 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, first 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 using products. (Macionis, Plummer, 2008382), according to Engels this allowed men to work while society assigned woman the undertaking of maintaining the home. The double exploitation of capitalism as Engels saw it paying low wages to male labour, and no wages to for female wok. (Macionis, Plummer, 2008367).Marxist further suggests companies solitary(prenominal) employ woman when they really need them, making them more disposable, therefore they argue that wome n are a reserve army 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 lack 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 baron 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, merely hold strong arguments such as the Radical Feminist. They have sought to tackle gender inequality by extreme protesting of patriarchy, as they believe tha t 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 pay to children, they become depended materially on men for protection and livelihood. (Giddens, 2009617). She further suggests this biological inequality is socially organized in the nuclear 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 abide 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 semipolitical and legal reform, they have gone on to achieve legislation such as the Equal Pay Act (1970) and the raise Discrimination Act (1975). Though Radical feminist are seen to pursue a revolutionary agenda, however like libe ral 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 per se 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 habitual with Marxist on terms of ack straightawayledging that social life is embodied but as will shortly become evident, the inclination 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 liberal feminist, it is important to acknowledge their efforts of ma king 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 pose stated that Between 10 and 69 per cent of women report abuse by their intimate partner in every country where reliable 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 socialis ation of learning gender roles. I think this is important, as people sometimes without even realising it socialise boys and girls differently from an early age. The functionalist view on gender, I feel is outdated 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 conflicting views with one another such as radical feminist, liberal feminist and Marxist feminist, however it is important to appreciate their central aim of striving to help woman have the same equality as men.