Deck 3: Status Section B: Gender and Sexuality

Question 1

From "Doing Gender" by Candace West and Don H. Zimmerman
The authors attempt to reconceptualize gender as a routine and recurring phenomenon grounded in social practices of everyday life. Their perspective involves analyzing gender as a complex of socially guided perceptual, interactional, and micropolitical activities that cast pursuits as manifestations of masculine and feminine "natures."
-Discuss the "sex differences" and "sex roles" approaches to gender. Discuss their limitations as formulations.

Answer 1

The "sex differences" approach to gender focuses on biological and physiological distinctions between males and females, emphasizing the inherent and immutable nature of these differences. This perspective often leads to the essentialization of gender, attributing certain traits and behaviors to individuals based solely on their biological sex. On the other hand, the "sex roles" approach to gender emphasizes the social and cultural expectations and norms associated with being male or female. This approach suggests that individuals learn and internalize specific roles and behaviors based on their gender, and that these roles are reinforced and perpetuated by society.

Both the "sex differences" and "sex roles" approaches have limitations as formulations for understanding gender. The "sex differences" approach overlooks the influence of social and cultural factors on gender, and it can lead to the reinforcement of gender stereotypes and inequality. It also fails to account for the diversity and complexity of gender identities beyond the binary understanding of male and female. On the other hand, the "sex roles" approach can perpetuate the idea that certain behaviors and traits are inherently linked to being male or female, reinforcing traditional gender norms and expectations. It also fails to fully capture the fluidity and variability of gender expression and identity.

In contrast, West and Zimmerman's reconceptualization of gender as a routine and recurring phenomenon grounded in social practices of everyday life offers a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of gender. Their perspective acknowledges the influence of both social and biological factors on gender, and it highlights the ways in which gender is performed and constructed through everyday interactions and activities. This approach allows for a more dynamic and inclusive understanding of gender, one that recognizes the diversity of gender experiences and identities.

Question 2

From "Doing Gender" by Candace West and Don H. Zimmerman
The authors attempt to reconceptualize gender as a routine and recurring phenomenon grounded in social practices of everyday life. Their perspective involves analyzing gender as a complex of socially guided perceptual, interactional, and micropolitical activities that cast pursuits as manifestations of masculine and feminine "natures."
-Discuss the authors' "social doings" approach to gender.

Answer 2

The authors, Candace West and Don H. Zimmerman, propose a "social doings" approach to gender in their book "Doing Gender." This approach seeks to reconceptualize gender as a routine and recurring phenomenon that is grounded in the social practices of everyday life. They argue that gender is not simply a fixed identity or biological trait, but rather a complex set of socially guided activities and behaviors.

According to West and Zimmerman, gender is not just something that individuals have, but something that they do. This means that gender is actively constructed and performed through everyday interactions and behaviors. They emphasize that gender is not just about individual identity, but about the ways in which individuals engage in social activities and interactions that are perceived as masculine or feminine.

The "social doings" approach to gender involves analyzing the ways in which individuals engage in socially guided perceptual, interactional, and micropolitical activities that contribute to the construction and performance of gender. This includes examining how individuals present themselves, interact with others, and navigate power dynamics in ways that are perceived as gendered.

Overall, West and Zimmerman's "social doings" approach to gender challenges traditional understandings of gender as a fixed and innate characteristic, and instead highlights the ways in which gender is actively constructed and performed through social practices and interactions.

Question 3

From "Doing Gender" by Candace West and Don H. Zimmerman
The authors attempt to reconceptualize gender as a routine and recurring phenomenon grounded in social practices of everyday life. Their perspective involves analyzing gender as a complex of socially guided perceptual, interactional, and micropolitical activities that cast pursuits as manifestations of masculine and feminine "natures."
-Discuss how the authors incorporate "accountability" into the analysis of gender.

Answer 3

The authors incorporate "accountability" into the analysis of gender by emphasizing the ways in which individuals are held accountable for their gender performances in everyday interactions. They argue that gender is not simply an internal identity or innate characteristic, but rather a set of behaviors and actions that are constantly monitored and evaluated by others. This accountability is enforced through social norms, expectations, and sanctions, which shape and regulate how individuals are expected to perform their gender. By focusing on accountability, the authors highlight the social and relational nature of gender, and the ways in which individuals are held responsible for conforming to or challenging gender norms in their daily lives. This perspective allows for a more nuanced understanding of how gender is constructed and maintained through social practices and interactions.

Question 4

From "Doing Gender" by Candace West and Don H. Zimmerman
The authors attempt to reconceptualize gender as a routine and recurring phenomenon grounded in social practices of everyday life. Their perspective involves analyzing gender as a complex of socially guided perceptual, interactional, and micropolitical activities that cast pursuits as manifestations of masculine and feminine "natures."
-The "doing gender" approach encompasses assessing the creation of differences between girls and boys and women and men that are not natural, essential, or biological.

Question 5

From "Doing Gender" by Candace West and Don H. Zimmerman
The authors attempt to reconceptualize gender as a routine and recurring phenomenon grounded in social practices of everyday life. Their perspective involves analyzing gender as a complex of socially guided perceptual, interactional, and micropolitical activities that cast pursuits as manifestations of masculine and feminine "natures."
-Which of the following does not constitute a social practice within the authors' formulation?

A) Segregation at work
B) Sports participation
C) Distribution of power
D) Average height and size differences across sex groups.

Question 6

From "Doing Gender" by Candace West and Don H. Zimmerman
The authors attempt to reconceptualize gender as a routine and recurring phenomenon grounded in social practices of everyday life. Their perspective involves analyzing gender as a complex of socially guided perceptual, interactional, and micropolitical activities that cast pursuits as manifestations of masculine and feminine "natures."
-According to the authors, what does not constitute an arena that alters the way gender operates in practice?

A) Institutional
B) Cultural
C) Biological
D) None of the above.

Question 7

From Masculinities by R. W. Connell
The author puts forward a theoretically-based "social constructionist" account of gender. This account is predicated on understanding gender relationally and culturally, and is intimately tied into the structure of violence and domination creating "social practices" that define the parameters and substance of gender categories.
-According to Connell, gender is:

A) Relational
B) Cultural
C) Neither A or B
D) Both A and B.

Question 8

From Masculinities by R. W. Connell
The author puts forward a theoretically-based "social constructionist" account of gender. This account is predicated on understanding gender relationally and culturally, and is intimately tied into the structure of violence and domination creating "social practices" that define the parameters and substance of gender categories.
-What does Connell mean when he criticizes gender for being too "essentialist"?

Question 9

From Masculinities by R. W. Connell
The author puts forward a theoretically-based "social constructionist" account of gender. This account is predicated on understanding gender relationally and culturally, and is intimately tied into the structure of violence and domination creating "social practices" that define the parameters and substance of gender categories.
-What does Connell mean when he says that gender is a "structure of social practice"?

Question 10

From Masculinities by R. W. Connell
The author puts forward a theoretically-based "social constructionist" account of gender. This account is predicated on understanding gender relationally and culturally, and is intimately tied into the structure of violence and domination creating "social practices" that define the parameters and substance of gender categories.
-According to Connell, a "relational" approach to gender encompasses:

A) Hegemony
B) Subordination
C) Complicity
D) All of the above.

Question 11

From Masculinities by R. W. Connell
The author puts forward a theoretically-based "social constructionist" account of gender. This account is predicated on understanding gender relationally and culturally, and is intimately tied into the structure of violence and domination creating "social practices" that define the parameters and substance of gender categories.
-How, according to Connell, does gender as a social practice operate as "a product of history and a producer of history"?

Question 12

From Masculinities by R. W. Connell
The author puts forward a theoretically-based "social constructionist" account of gender. This account is predicated on understanding gender relationally and culturally, and is intimately tied into the structure of violence and domination creating "social practices" that define the parameters and substance of gender categories.
-Gender cannot be understood apart from the dynamics of hegemony in society.

Question 13

From Masculinities by R. W. Connell
The author puts forward a theoretically-based "social constructionist" account of gender. This account is predicated on understanding gender relationally and culturally, and is intimately tied into the structure of violence and domination creating "social practices" that define the parameters and substance of gender categories.
-How, according to Connell, is gender a product of "crisis tendencies"?

Question 14

From The Gendered Society by Michael Kimmel
Kimmel bring historic and anthropological findings to bear on cultural/social variation in the dynamics of gender, namely, how it is defined, levels of inequality, the extent of the gendered division of labor, and the determinants of women's status in society. This piece provides support for a cultural/social rather than a biological interpretation of gender as a unit of differentiation in society.
-Discuss evidence presented by Kimmel that there is considerable variation in definitions of gender.

Question 15

From The Gendered Society by Michael Kimmel
Kimmel bring historic and anthropological findings to bear on cultural/social variation in the dynamics of gender, namely, how it is defined, levels of inequality, the extent of the gendered division of labor, and the determinants of women's status in society. This piece provides support for a cultural/social rather than a biological interpretation of gender as a unit of differentiation in society.
-Discuss evidence by Kimmel of the causes of gender differentiation.

Question 16

From The Gendered Society by Michael Kimmel
Kimmel bring historic and anthropological findings to bear on cultural/social variation in the dynamics of gender, namely, how it is defined, levels of inequality, the extent of the gendered division of labor, and the determinants of women's status in society. This piece provides support for a cultural/social rather than a biological interpretation of gender as a unit of differentiation in society.
-According to Kimmel, which of the following is alleged to explain gender inequality in the economic division of labor:

A) Rise of feudalism
B) Rise of wage labor
C) Rise of domestic households
D) None of the above.

Question 17

From The Gendered Society by Michael Kimmel
Kimmel bring historic and anthropological findings to bear on cultural/social variation in the dynamics of gender, namely, how it is defined, levels of inequality, the extent of the gendered division of labor, and the determinants of women's status in society. This piece provides support for a cultural/social rather than a biological interpretation of gender as a unit of differentiation in society.
-All societies exhibit similar levels of gender inequality and domination.

Question 18

From The Gendered Society by Michael Kimmel
Kimmel bring historic and anthropological findings to bear on cultural/social variation in the dynamics of gender, namely, how it is defined, levels of inequality, the extent of the gendered division of labor, and the determinants of women's status in society. This piece provides support for a cultural/social rather than a biological interpretation of gender as a unit of differentiation in society.
-According to Kimmel, which of the following societal factors is not alleged to increase male domination over women?

A) Larger family groups
B) Larger number of people needed to be hunters and gatherers
C) Women's active role in child rearing
D) The premium put on physical strength and motor skills.

Question 19

From The Gendered Society by Michael Kimmel
Kimmel bring historic and anthropological findings to bear on cultural/social variation in the dynamics of gender, namely, how it is defined, levels of inequality, the extent of the gendered division of labor, and the determinants of women's status in society. This piece provides support for a cultural/social rather than a biological interpretation of gender as a unit of differentiation in society.
-Discuss the importance of rape as a determinant of male dominance.

Question 20

From The Gendered Society by Michael Kimmel
Kimmel bring historic and anthropological findings to bear on cultural/social variation in the dynamics of gender, namely, how it is defined, levels of inequality, the extent of the gendered division of labor, and the determinants of women's status in society. This piece provides support for a cultural/social rather than a biological interpretation of gender as a unit of differentiation in society.
-How, according to Kimmel, does circumcision constitute a ritual that is associated with male domination over women?

Question 21

From "Comparative Gender Stratification" by Joan Huber
The piece by Huber speculates about the causal factors that produce levels of gender inequality across modes of subsistence such as herding, hunting and gathering, and horticultural societies that characterize premodern societies. Huber argues that within these modes of subsistence central actors include interacting between work, war, and childbearing.
-Which type of subsistence mode led to the initial great increase in gender inequality? Why?

Question 22

From "Comparative Gender Stratification" by Joan Huber
The piece by Huber speculates about the causal factors that produce levels of gender inequality across modes of subsistence such as herding, hunting and gathering, and horticultural societies that characterize premodern societies. Huber argues that within these modes of subsistence central actors include interacting between work, war, and childbearing.
-How is "population maintenance" related to gender inequality across modes of subsistence?

Question 23

From "Comparative Gender Stratification" by Joan Huber
The piece by Huber speculates about the causal factors that produce levels of gender inequality across modes of subsistence such as herding, hunting and gathering, and horticultural societies that characterize premodern societies. Huber argues that within these modes of subsistence central actors include interacting between work, war, and childbearing.
-How does involvement in warfare lead to gender inequality across modes of subsistence?

Question 24

From "Comparative Gender Stratification" by Joan Huber
The piece by Huber speculates about the causal factors that produce levels of gender inequality across modes of subsistence such as herding, hunting and gathering, and horticultural societies that characterize premodern societies. Huber argues that within these modes of subsistence central actors include interacting between work, war, and childbearing.
-According to Huber, why is gender inequality relatively low in hunting and gathering societies?

Question 25

From "Comparative Gender Stratification" by Joan Huber
The piece by Huber speculates about the causal factors that produce levels of gender inequality across modes of subsistence such as herding, hunting and gathering, and horticultural societies that characterize premodern societies. Huber argues that within these modes of subsistence central actors include interacting between work, war, and childbearing.
-Huber argues that across all kinds of subsistence women's absence from politico-military institutions generates gender inequality.

Question 26

From "Comparative Gender Stratification" by Joan Huber
The piece by Huber speculates about the causal factors that produce levels of gender inequality across modes of subsistence such as herding, hunting and gathering, and horticultural societies that characterize premodern societies. Huber argues that within these modes of subsistence central actors include interacting between work, war, and childbearing.
-Which of the following is not associated with a rise in gender inequality?

A) Increasing warfare
B) The invention of metallurgy
C) Increases in women's rights
D) All of the above.

Question 27

From "Comparative Gender Stratification" by Joan Huber
The piece by Huber speculates about the causal factors that produce levels of gender inequality across modes of subsistence such as herding, hunting and gathering, and horticultural societies that characterize premodern societies. Huber argues that within these modes of subsistence central actors include interacting between work, war, and childbearing.
-According to Huber, whom has the most power:

A) Workers relative to non-workers
B) Producers relative to non-producers
C) Female children relative to male children
D) None of the above.

Question 28

From "Hierarchies, Jobs, Bodies: A Theory of Gendered Organizations" by Joan Acker
Acker discusses the "gendering" of women's work in organizations. This gendering is associated with patriarchal-based forms of inequality and oppression in the kind of work women do and its attendant rewards. The author views this gendering as, historically, a product of the gender-neutral rendering of stratification-based organizational dynamics.
-What does the author mean when saying organizations are a "gendered process"?

Question 29

From "Hierarchies, Jobs, Bodies: A Theory of Gendered Organizations" by Joan Acker
Acker discusses the "gendering" of women's work in organizations. This gendering is associated with patriarchal-based forms of inequality and oppression in the kind of work women do and its attendant rewards. The author views this gendering as, historically, a product of the gender-neutral rendering of stratification-based organizational dynamics.
-Discuss why the author believes that until recently there has been little discussion of the gendered aspect of organizations.

Question 30

From "Hierarchies, Jobs, Bodies: A Theory of Gendered Organizations" by Joan Acker
Acker discusses the "gendering" of women's work in organizations. This gendering is associated with patriarchal-based forms of inequality and oppression in the kind of work women do and its attendant rewards. The author views this gendering as, historically, a product of the gender-neutral rendering of stratification-based organizational dynamics.
-Discuss what the author means when saying that early work on gender by sociologists such as Kanter and Ferguson were limited because they worked on the assumption that organizations are gender-neutral phenomena.

Question 31

From "Hierarchies, Jobs, Bodies: A Theory of Gendered Organizations" by Joan Acker
Acker discusses the "gendering" of women's work in organizations. This gendering is associated with patriarchal-based forms of inequality and oppression in the kind of work women do and its attendant rewards. The author views this gendering as, historically, a product of the gender-neutral rendering of stratification-based organizational dynamics.
-Discuss the specific "interacting processes" that structure organizations as fundamentally gendered.

Question 32

From "Hierarchies, Jobs, Bodies: A Theory of Gendered Organizations" by Joan Acker
Acker discusses the "gendering" of women's work in organizations. This gendering is associated with patriarchal-based forms of inequality and oppression in the kind of work women do and its attendant rewards. The author views this gendering as, historically, a product of the gender-neutral rendering of stratification-based organizational dynamics.
-The imagery of a "disembodied body" is crucial to the notion of a gender-neutral analysis of organizations.

Question 33

From "Hierarchies, Jobs, Bodies: A Theory of Gendered Organizations" by Joan Acker
Acker discusses the "gendering" of women's work in organizations. This gendering is associated with patriarchal-based forms of inequality and oppression in the kind of work women do and its attendant rewards. The author views this gendering as, historically, a product of the gender-neutral rendering of stratification-based organizational dynamics.
-Which of the following is not an aspect of de-gendered organizational analysis?

A) Abstract jobs
B) Abstract notions of socioeconomic inequality
C) Gender-neutral systems of work control
D) Hegemonic masculine systems of domination.

Question 34

From "Hierarchies, Jobs, Bodies: A Theory of Gendered Organizations" by Joan Acker
Acker discusses the "gendering" of women's work in organizations. This gendering is associated with patriarchal-based forms of inequality and oppression in the kind of work women do and its attendant rewards. The author views this gendering as, historically, a product of the gender-neutral rendering of stratification-based organizational dynamics.
-Which of the following is an example of the gendering of occupations in the workplace?

A) The devaluation of work that women do
B) The valuation of men's body type
C) A and B
D) Neither A or B.

Question 35

From "Benefits for Nonhomophobic Societies: An Anthropological Perspective" by Walter L. Williams
Williams discusses attitudes toward homosexuality/androgyny in cross-cultural perspective. Unlike in the contemporary U.S., many other societies show an appreciation for this type of diversity, and, critically, it leads to meaningful contributions for society across a variety of substantive/institutional contexts including the family, child rearing, and friendship.
-Discuss the Navaho notion of nadle.

Question 36

From "Benefits for Nonhomophobic Societies: An Anthropological Perspective" by Walter L. Williams
Williams discusses attitudes toward homosexuality/androgyny in cross-cultural perspective. Unlike in the contemporary U.S., many other societies show an appreciation for this type of diversity, and, critically, it leads to meaningful contributions for society across a variety of substantive/institutional contexts including the family, child rearing, and friendship.
-Discuss the benefits to the family that derive from being more open and tolerant toward homosexuality/androgyny.

Question 37

From "Benefits for Nonhomophobic Societies: An Anthropological Perspective" by Walter L. Williams
Williams discusses attitudes toward homosexuality/androgyny in cross-cultural perspective. Unlike in the contemporary U.S., many other societies show an appreciation for this type of diversity, and, critically, it leads to meaningful contributions for society across a variety of substantive/institutional contexts including the family, child rearing, and friendship.
-Discuss the benefits for children that derive from being more open and tolerant toward homosexuality/androgyny.

Question 38

From "Benefits for Nonhomophobic Societies: An Anthropological Perspective" by Walter L. Williams
Williams discusses attitudes toward homosexuality/androgyny in cross-cultural perspective. Unlike in the contemporary U.S., many other societies show an appreciation for this type of diversity, and, critically, it leads to meaningful contributions for society across a variety of substantive/institutional contexts including the family, child rearing, and friendship.
-Discuss the benefits for friendship that derive from being more open and tolerant toward homosexuality/androgyny.

Question 39

From "Benefits for Nonhomophobic Societies: An Anthropological Perspective" by Walter L. Williams
Williams discusses attitudes toward homosexuality/androgyny in cross-cultural perspective. Unlike in the contemporary U.S., many other societies show an appreciation for this type of diversity, and, critically, it leads to meaningful contributions for society across a variety of substantive/institutional contexts including the family, child rearing, and friendship.
-Which of the following best characterizes Williams' main argument: It is important to:

A) Tolerate difference
B) Appreciate diversity
C) Advance as superior those who are different
D) All of the above.

Question 40

From "Benefits for Nonhomophobic Societies: An Anthropological Perspective" by Walter L. Williams
Williams discusses attitudes toward homosexuality/androgyny in cross-cultural perspective. Unlike in the contemporary U.S., many other societies show an appreciation for this type of diversity, and, critically, it leads to meaningful contributions for society across a variety of substantive/institutional contexts including the family, child rearing, and friendship.
-The Navaho notion of nadle has persisted to the present day.

Question 41

From "Benefits for Nonhomophobic Societies: An Anthropological Perspective" by Walter L. Williams
Williams discusses attitudes toward homosexuality/androgyny in cross-cultural perspective. Unlike in the contemporary U.S., many other societies show an appreciation for this type of diversity, and, critically, it leads to meaningful contributions for society across a variety of substantive/institutional contexts including the family, child rearing, and friendship.
-Examining a wide range of societies allows Williams to conclude:

A) American society needs a socialist revolution
B) More gays need to have power in American society
C) Attitudes toward the same phenomenon may differ widely
D) Homosexuality may be genetically caused.

Question 42

"The Gender Pay Gap: Have Women Gone As Far As They Can?" by Francine D. Blau and Lawrence M. Kahn
The authors examine trends in the rate and causes of the gender wage gap. Progress in closing the gap waxed and waned across time, with the gap narrowing in the 1980s, increasing in the 1990s, and, again, narrowing in the early 2000s. The causes of the gap appear to be fairly consistent with a combination of human capital and basic socio-demographic factors both playing a role, though their respective roles differ across time.
-The gender gap in wages, while always present, was reduced during the 1980s, but expanded during the 1990s, and showed signs of reduction in the early 2000s.

Question 43

"The Gender Pay Gap: Have Women Gone As Far As They Can?" by Francine D. Blau and Lawrence M. Kahn
The authors examine trends in the rate and causes of the gender wage gap. Progress in closing the gap waxed and waned across time, with the gap narrowing in the 1980s, increasing in the 1990s, and, again, narrowing in the early 2000s. The causes of the gap appear to be fairly consistent with a combination of human capital and basic socio-demographic factors both playing a role, though their respective roles differ across time.
-How is "discrimination" conceptualized in the context of the gender wage gap?

Question 44

"The Gender Pay Gap: Have Women Gone As Far As They Can?" by Francine D. Blau and Lawrence M. Kahn
The authors examine trends in the rate and causes of the gender wage gap. Progress in closing the gap waxed and waned across time, with the gap narrowing in the 1980s, increasing in the 1990s, and, again, narrowing in the early 2000s. The causes of the gap appear to be fairly consistent with a combination of human capital and basic socio-demographic factors both playing a role, though their respective roles differ across time.
-Which one of the following has not been considered to be a cause of the gender wage gap?

A) Physical differences between men and women
B) Average work experience
C) the concentration of men in career-oriented fields
D) Segregation of women in jobs.

Question 45

"The Gender Pay Gap: Have Women Gone As Far As They Can?" by Francine D. Blau and Lawrence M. Kahn
The authors examine trends in the rate and causes of the gender wage gap. Progress in closing the gap waxed and waned across time, with the gap narrowing in the 1980s, increasing in the 1990s, and, again, narrowing in the early 2000s. The causes of the gap appear to be fairly consistent with a combination of human capital and basic socio-demographic factors both playing a role, though their respective roles differ across time.
-What is "human capital" and how important is it in explaining the gender wage gap?

Question 46

"The Gender Pay Gap: Have Women Gone As Far As They Can?" by Francine D. Blau and Lawrence M. Kahn
The authors examine trends in the rate and causes of the gender wage gap. Progress in closing the gap waxed and waned across time, with the gap narrowing in the 1980s, increasing in the 1990s, and, again, narrowing in the early 2000s. The causes of the gap appear to be fairly consistent with a combination of human capital and basic socio-demographic factors both playing a role, though their respective roles differ across time.
-How much does the differential allocation in occupations and industry explain the gender wage gap?

Question 47

"The Gender Pay Gap: Have Women Gone As Far As They Can?" by Francine D. Blau and Lawrence M. Kahn
The authors examine trends in the rate and causes of the gender wage gap. Progress in closing the gap waxed and waned across time, with the gap narrowing in the 1980s, increasing in the 1990s, and, again, narrowing in the early 2000s. The causes of the gap appear to be fairly consistent with a combination of human capital and basic socio-demographic factors both playing a role, though their respective roles differ across time.
-What findings relevant to the production of the gender wage gap have been reached from "audit" studies?

Question 48

"The Gender Pay Gap: Have Women Gone As Far As They Can?" by Francine D. Blau and Lawrence M. Kahn
The authors examine trends in the rate and causes of the gender wage gap. Progress in closing the gap waxed and waned across time, with the gap narrowing in the 1980s, increasing in the 1990s, and, again, narrowing in the early 2000s. The causes of the gap appear to be fairly consistent with a combination of human capital and basic socio-demographic factors both playing a role, though their respective roles differ across time.
-The gender wage gap is found:

A) Across selected occupations
B) Across all occupational levels
C) At only a few occupational levels
D) At virtually no occupational levels at the present time.