Question 1

Feminist theory has contributed to our understanding of gender by supporting the claim that

Accepted Answer

Feminist theory has demonstrated that gender inequality persists in society, and women continue to have unequal positions. This can be seen in the historical record, where women's contributions have been erased or minimized, reflecting the bias of a male-dominated society. Feminist theory challenges the idea that gender differences are biologically determined and instead argues that these differences are socially constructed and perpetuated through social norms and institutions. By examining the ways in which gender impacts individuals and society, feminist theory has contributed to our understanding of how power and privilege operate based on gender, and how these dynamics can be challenged to achieve greater gender equality.

Question 2

The two complementary roles that functionalist Talcott Parsons identified within the family are

Accepted Answer

Talcott Parsons identified two complementary roles within the family: instrumental, which refers to the breadwinner role or providing financial support, and expressive, which refers to nurturing and emotional support. These roles are seen as complementary because both are necessary for the family to function properly.

Question 3

Regarding gender, functionalists generally believe that

Accepted Answer

Functionalists believe that different gender roles have evolved over time due to their suitability for their respective genders. They argue that men and women have biologically determined differences that make certain roles more appropriate for one gender or the other. Therefore, some social roles are considered better suited to one gender than to the other.

Question 4

Judge Aaron Persky was asked by prosecutors to sentence a man found guilty of rape to six years in prison. Instead, Judge Persky handed down a sentence of six months in county jail. Many felt that, by handing down a light sentence for a serious crime, Aaron Persky was normalizing

Accepted Answer

By handing down a light sentence for a serious crime like rape, Judge Persky was perpetuating or normalizing the idea that rape is not a serious crime and that the comfort and future of the perpetrator were more important than the safety and wellbeing of the victim. This perpetuation of rape being normalized and not taken seriously is what is called rape culture.

Question 5

Authors often use words or phrases such as "mankind" to refer to large groups that include both male and female members. Sociologists and feminists argue that this is an example of the use of sexist language. What does this tell us about the relationship between language and culture?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Authors often use words or phrases such...

Question 6

You are observing children on an elementary school playground. Why might you find some girls playing sports with boys, but almost no boys playing jump rope with girls?

Accepted Answer

Many social norms dictate that boys and girls should participate in separate activities. Boys are often teased or bullied for participating in activities that are perceived as "feminine," such as jumping rope, while girls are often more accepted for participating in sports that are traditionally seen as "masculine."

Question 7

Which of the following examples could be associated with Talcott Parsons's concept of the expressive role?

Accepted Answer

Talcott Parsons's concept of the expressive role involves providing emotional support, care, and nurturing within the family unit. Option A describes a mother fulfilling this role by providing love, care, and affection to her husband and children. OPTIONS B and C describe the instrumental role, which involves providing financial and practical support to the family. Option D does not fit either of these roles.

Question 8

A math teacher writes problems with stories that have male characters who are always given an occupation like Bob the janitor or James the lawyer, but the female characters have no occupation. This is an example of the

Accepted Answer

The writing of math problems with male characters being assigned occupations and female characters having no occupation perpetuates gender stereotypes and reinforces the idea that men are more valued for their careers and work than women. This is an example of how schools socialize children into gender roles.

Question 9

"Welfare queen" is an insulting term for a woman who is accused of cheating the government by collecting welfare payments. There is no "welfare king" insult. What sociological truth is contained in the phrase "welfare queen"?

Accepted Answer

The sociological truth contained in the phrase "welfare queen" is that it reinforces gender stereotypes and biases, implying that women are more likely to abuse the welfare system or to rely on it as their primary source of income. The use of the word "queen" also suggests a sense of entitlement or luxury, further contributing to negative perceptions of women and welfare recipients. However, research indicates that men and women use welfare benefits at roughly equal rates and that most welfare recipients are not abusing the system.

Question 10

Aggressive men are often described as "go-getters" in the workplace, but aggressive women are often described as "bitches." This is an example of

Accepted Answer

The answer of Aggressive men are often described as "go-getters"...

Question 11

Agnes was raised as a boy before coming out as a transgender woman. What is one of the ways that Agnes began to "do being female" after coming out?

Accepted Answer

Agnes showed deference to her male boss as a way of "doing being female," which aligns with traditional gender norms where women may show deference to men in certain social or professional contexts. This behavior was part of her adapting to her gender identity in everyday interactions.

Question 12

A young man is told by his friends that, when at a bar, he should drink beer, but buy women shots in the hopes of getting the women drunk and increasing his chance of having sex with them. He tells his friends that they are encouraging

Accepted Answer

The behavior encouraged by the friends perpetuates rape culture, which is the normalization of sexual violence and the belief that men are entitled to women's bodies. Encouraging women to drink excessively to increase chances of sexual activity is a form of coercion and can lead to non-consensual encounters.

Question 13

The sociological perspective of ________ is concerned with how gender is constructed and maintained in our everyday lives.

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism is concerned with how individuals and society interact through symbols, such as words or gestures. Within this perspective, gender is seen as something that is constructed and maintained through our everyday interactions and socialization processes. This includes the way we use language, dress, and behave, which all contribute to our understanding of what it means to be masculine or feminine.

Question 14

A little girl notices that, whenever both of her parents are in the car, her father is always driving. She deduces that women should be passive and men should be active. This process is called

Accepted Answer

The process described in the scenario is social learning, which involves learning and internalizing social norms, values, and expectations through observation and modeling. The little girl learns from her parents' behavior that driving is a masculine activity, while passively riding as a passenger is a feminine activity, perpetuating gender stereotypes. Sexism and gender inequality may result from such social learning, but they are not the process itself. Expressive work is a term used to describe tasks related to emotions, relationships and caring for others, which is not relevant to the scenario.

Question 15

On his English paper, a boy receives a B+and the teacher's comment, "Brilliant insight, but you're lacking focus and have some typos." How is this typical of the way schools treat boys?

Accepted Answer

Boys are often praised for their intellectual abilities but may receive criticism for lack of focus or attention to detail, which aligns with the teacher's comment.

Question 16

Many expectant parents get a sonogram to find out the sex of their babies, and they only start decorating the nursery after learning the sex. This is an example of

Accepted Answer

Gender role socialization refers to the process by which individuals learn the gender roles expected of them by society. In this case, expectant parents wait to learn the sex of their baby before decorating the nursery, often following traditional gender norms in their choices, which is a form of gender role socialization.

Question 17

Your textbook describes the Vanatinai society in New Guinea as an example of

Accepted Answer

The Vanatinai society is described as an example of gender equality in the textbook. Women in this society have equal access to resources and decision-making power as men, and gender roles are not strictly defined.

Question 18

According to conflict theory, women's contributions to family life are devalued because

Accepted Answer

According to conflict theory, men in society benefit from maintaining their dominant status. This includes within the family structure, where men's contributions (often financial) are valued more highly than women's contributions (often nurturing and caregiving). This devaluation serves to uphold male power and control in society.

Question 19

Women are the main characters in the vast majority of commercials that advertise cleaning supplies. This illustrates that

Accepted Answer

The fact that women are consistently portrayed as the main characters in commercials advertising cleaning supplies suggests that the media is relying on highly stereotypical gender roles to sell their products. This reinforces the idea that domestic chores are "women's work," and that men are not expected to be involved in cleaning or household maintenance.

Question 20

The names given to positions of power and authority, like "chairman" and "policeman," often emphasize the male gender. Why does this matter?

Accepted Answer

The names given to positions of power and authority have historically emphasized the male gender, suggesting that only men are suited for these roles. This reinforces gender stereotypes and can discourage women from pursuing these careers, which can limit diversity and perpetuate gender inequality in the workplace.

Quiz 9: Constructing Gender and Sexuality