Functionalist view:
Functionalists view inequality as a product of the traditional division in human societies. Men tend to attend to more instrumental (objectively rewarded) tasks such as wage earning and women attend to more expressive (subjectively rewarded) tasks such as those involved in child rearing. While both types of labor are functional (indeed vital) for society's survival, the instrumental tasks, looked after by men, always have been more highly rewarded than the expressive tasks looked after by women. Men and women are taught these traditional roles and have tended to conform to their requirements. Functionalists point out that, while gender roles and their accompanying inequalities have changed somewhat in industrialized societies, traditional arrangement remains in force in most societies. The persistence of the traditional division of labor, according to functionalist view, testifies to the usefulness for human societies.
Inter-actionist Explanations:
Inter-actionist theories of gender inequality focus on how inequality is perpetuated by the transmission of traditional cultural definitions of masculinity and femininity from generation to generation. For example, learning these definitions influences people's expectations about the types of statuses that women and meaner capable of occupying and the types of roles they are capable of performing. Compared with functionalist and conflict theories, inter-actionist theories are optimistic as to the prospects of reducing if not eliminating such inequalities. Since gender roles and division of labor that they support are the products of what each generation teaches the next generation, we can change them by teaching different gender roles and different ideas about division of labor. Greater gender equality can be achieved; therefore, without having to wait forth massive restructuring of society implied by functionalist theories, which process might take several generations. Neither is it necessary to resort to revolutionary strategy to achieve gender equality as proposed by such conflict theorists as Marx and Engels.
Structualist view:
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
1. Explain one way in which facilitated diffusion is the same as simple diffusion and one way in which it differs.…
- 266 Words
- 1 Page
Satisfactory Essays -
Schacter, D., Gilbert, D., Wegner, D. (2011). Psychology (Second Edition). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.…
- 477 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Firstly one must look at the division of domestic labour and conjugal roles. Conjugal roles refer to the roles performed by men and women in relation to housework, childcare and paid work. Traditionally men had the instrumental ‘bread-winning’ role which the women had the expressive role (childcare and primary socialisation). Feminists say that the traditional division of labour is neither natural nor beneficial to women as their expressive role is unpaid and taken for granted. However different feminist views disagree on who benefits from this unpaid labour. Marxist feminists would argue it is capitalism that benefits most as wives keep their husbands happy and therefore they are left with a content workforce. On the other hand, radical feminists would argue that men are the main people to gain from women’s oppression as we live in a patriarchal society. A functionalist view from Wilmott and Young says that there has been a ‘march of progress’ in which the family has become more symmetrical with more joint conjugal roles (where both partners share the household labour). However feminists reject this view with Oakley arguing the family still remains patriarchal and Boulton saying the evidence to support the alleged rise in symmetry is weak, and that the responsibility for childcare still lies with women.…
- 1343 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
We as humans would like to believe that men and women are created equal, but in reality, we are anything but. Some of these inequalities have been ingrained in our brains since birth and we do not even realize how wrong it is. For example, men are taught to lead and women are taught to follow. That is to say, that most little boys are taught that their jobs as a man is to…
- 1299 Words
- 6 Pages
Powerful Essays -
There were significant differences amongst the Mayan, Aztec, and Incan societies. Besides basic geographical differences, they also varied in lifestyle, religion, and societal rule. While their differences were many, the cultures of these civilizations were historic.…
- 561 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
According to Parsons, in the traditional nuclear family, the roles of husbands and wives are segregated. His functionalist model of the family shows a clear division of labour between spouses, with the husbands having instrumental roles, known as providing for the family, and wives having expressive roles to do with socialising the children and being a homemaker. This allows the husband, and the wife to have clear set out tasks but on the other hand, people could say the women have more to deal with and the men have less to do. Parsons also argues that the division of labour is natural because women are ‘naturally’ suited to the nurturing role and the men to that of a provider. Other sociologists have criticised Parsons, for example, Young and Willmott argue that men are now taking a greater share of domestic tasks and more wives are becoming wage earners. Furthermore, feminist sociologists reject Parsons’ view that the division of labour is natural, and that it only benefits men. From Parson’s idea of family roles, it could be argued that the family roles have not changed at all, yet the criticisms show that the family roles have changed a little.…
- 779 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
ello Doc Al and others. I am progressing along with my on-line basic physics course. I completed a new module and have some assessment questions to answer. Please review and let me know the ones that are correct. Those that are wrong just a little clue as to where my thinking process went a stray. I will add my thought process to the ones that I missed telling how I came up with the answer that I did. Thanks for taking the time to assist me on some basic questions.…
- 943 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
One evidence-based strategy is cognitive behavioural therapy. This therapy is normally of two types which are cognitive therapy and…
- 1019 Words
- 4 Pages
Better Essays -
Social stigmas accompany every one of life’s categories – especially male and female. Gender-based stereotypes – existent since the beginning of time – help in both the advancement and hindrance of the sexes and of society. Gender roles helped create society. They generated a world in which the man went out into the world in order to work and provide monetarily for his family while the woman stayed in the home, working hardly to accomplish the couple’s domestic responsibilities and to raise the couple’s children. This traditional notion of the roles of genders enabled families to function in history; however, in the modern-day era, this notion only thwarts progress. As women travel out into the work place, they are not treated as the equals of men. The societal perception of the weak, lesser woman still remains, preventing women to become truly equal. On the contrary, gender stereotypes also inhibit the growth of men, causing them to feel compelled to follow the traditional definition of masculinity. Gender should be seen as fluid (with personality characteristics and preferred hobbies that can be demonstrated and admired by both sexes), rather than as a rigid set of characteristics needed to be met. Societal expectations of gender differences should not be forced upon people.…
- 2185 Words
- 9 Pages
Better Essays -
Functionalism is a macro level theory, study of social interaction, which views society as being made up of different parts, institutions, that all work together to keep a social equilibrium. These institutions include family, education, government, the economy, and religion. According to functionalism, each of these parts influence another and are influenced by others. For example, as more women attend college than in previous decades, more women enter the workforce; this is the educational institution at play. Because of this change, the government and politics have focuses more on job discrimination between men and women than in previous decades and have created laws to protect against such discrimination. Parts of society are then described…
- 229 Words
- 1 Page
Good Essays -
A homosexual is a person romantically and erotically attracted to same-sex persons. Being homosexual is part of the normal range of variations in sexual orientation. Discrimination against homosexuals has been seen in history till this very day. The unfair treatment is based on homophobia and heterosexism in our society. Gays, lesbians and bisexuals tend to confirm their sexual orientation during their early adolescent years. Rejection from family, cultural differences and discrimination in hiring and housing causes homosexuals problems because it contradicts their natural feelings. Homosexuals are considered to be members of minority groups although nothing is inherently wrong with them. Conscious or not; bias against left- handed people is discrimination. Approximately 8–15% of the world's population is left-handed. Left-handers are neglected because common tools used by the population are designed for right-handed people. Making these tools dangerous, painful and difficult to use. They are considered unlucky and in some societies are forced to perform task with their right hand such as eating and writing. Discriminating against homosexuals is similar to rejecting a left-handed person because neither group can choose to be who they are nor how they function. They can’t magically change for society because sexual orientation is partly hereditary. A gay guy cannot make himself attracted to women the same way a left handed person cannot begin using their right hand. Neither of these traits is a choice and society is ignorant to that so they discriminate. This is why the view that discriminating against homosexuals is much like rejecting a person for being left-handed.…
- 274 Words
- 1 Page
Satisfactory Essays -
The functionalist theory has much strength as well as weaknesses. One of the strengths of Functionalism is that it asserts that there are purposes for social conditions or facts. For example, under a functionalist point of view the janitor and the sewer worker all contribute to the function of the entire unit. Without serving these purposes, the social structure would not function properly. Functionalists are of the assumption that the needs of society are greater than the needs of individuals: in order words, the good of society is greater than the good of the individual thus contributing to the maintenance of society. Davis and Moore argue that all societies need some mechanism for insuring effective role allocation and performance. This mechanism is social stratification which they see as a…
- 1317 Words
- 6 Pages
Better Essays -
In functionalism society is conceived as a system of interrelated parts in which no part can be understood in isolation from the whole (Wallace, Wolf, 18).? On the other hand conflict theorists do not agree with the unity in society that functionalist believe in. ?Conflict theorists see an arena in which groups fight for power (Wallace, Wolf, 68).?These two theories create very different ways of looking at the world but each have strong points and evidence to back them up. Functionalism emphasizes the interdependence of the system?s parts. Contributions made by the shared values link to the existence of the social system, and the equilibrium among the interrelated parts.…
- 1130 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Functionalism seeks to provide a theoretical account of how societies work and function. Many Functionalist theorists have likened the workings of society to that of the human body; each part has a function and works alongside other parts to ensure the overall function is met. For example “ As parts of the body, the heart or liver, for instance, are understood in terms of the function they perform, so social institutions, such as family or schools, have to be understood in terms of their functions for maintaining society.” (Marsh et al, 2000 p.57)…
- 2928 Words
- 12 Pages
Powerful Essays -
According to the functionalists point of view, gender inequality exists in the U.S. due to it contributing to overall social stability. They view the roles of men and women as one that compliments the other however, view the male as having the dominant force in the relationship. They equate women as being more expressive and emotionally supportive, while men are viewed as being more instrumental and practical. An example of this can be applied to the military and how women are not allowed to enlist in the infantry, an all male front line combat team in the military, primarily due to women being viewed as more emotional and not being able to fully accept the scene of combat as men in their league do. Women…
- 610 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays