Question 1

Straight couples tend to revert to traditional gender roles, with women as lower earners, bearing the brunt of stereotypical female chores. How do same-sex couples tend to compare?

Accepted Answer

Same-sex couples tend to assign chores based on personal preference rather than traditional gender roles, as they do not have the societal pressures and expectations that heterosexual couples face. Therefore, they are more likely to have a more equitable division of labor based on individual preferences and abilities.

Question 2

Child-care work is considered "women's work," and construction work is considered "men's work." Child-care workers generally make less than construction workers. This situation exemplifies:

Accepted Answer

Gender typing refers to the socialization process through which individuals learn to adopt behaviors and attitudes that are deemed appropriate for their gender. In this scenario, child-care work is considered women's work and construction work is considered men's work, which reflects gender typing. The fact that child-care workers generally make less than construction workers further reinforces gender typing and the devaluation of work traditionally associated with women. The other options - masculinity, glass escalator, and glass ceiling - do not fully capture the complexity of this scenario.

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of quid pro quo sexual harassment?

Accepted Answer

Quid pro quo sexual harassment involves a demand for sexual acts in exchange for employment benefits or as a job condition. Option D is the only choice that fits this description. A, B, and C may fall under the category of hostile work environment sexual harassment, but not quid pro quo harassment.

Question 4

Karen made an unwanted sexual advance on her date Sarah, persisting even though it was clear that Sarah was resistant. How would sociologists characterize this interaction?

Accepted Answer

Sociologists would characterize this interaction as sexual harassment, which is defined as any unwanted sexual attention or behavior that makes the recipient feel uncomfortable or threatened. Karen's persistence despite Sarah's resistance is a clear indication of harassment, and it is an abuse of power and authority on Karen's part.

Question 5

Of the following individuals, who most likely does the most housework?

Accepted Answer

Research consistently shows that women, particularly mothers, do more housework than men. Therefore, it is likely that Tanya, a married woman with two children, does the most housework out of the options given.

Question 6

What is the goal of the United Nations Conference on Women?

Accepted Answer

The United Nations Conference on Women aims to ensure women's equal access to economic resources, including vocational training and markets. The conference focuses on empowering women and promoting gender equality, rather than promoting traditional gender roles or restricting women's reproductive choices.

Question 7

Six of the ten richest self-made women in the world are:

Accepted Answer

According to Forbes' 2021 list of the richest self-made women in the world, six out of the top ten are Chinese.

Question 8

Josiah is a wealthy seventeen-year-old black male. He says that he aspires to a romantic relationship in which he could share earnings and household responsibilities equally with his partner. What might sociologists say explains his point of view?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Josiah is a wealthy seventeen-year-old black male....

Question 9

According to your textbook, between 1979 and 2014, the ratio of women's to men's earnings among full-time, year-round workers was:

Accepted Answer

In 2014, women's earnings were 79% of men's earnings, up from 62% in 1979.

Question 10

Juli is a sixteen-year-old female high school student. Which of the following scenarios most likely describes her experience in school?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that teachers often overlook or interrupt girls in class discussions, and are more likely to direct their questions to boys. This leads girls to participate less in class discussions and receive less attention from their teachers.

Question 11

How can the increase in female labor force participation over the past fifty years be explained?

Accepted Answer

The increase in female labor force participation over the past fifty years can be explained by the fact that many women now prioritize completing their education and establishing themselves in the labor force over traditional family formation. This is partly due to changing societal norms and values that support women's empowerment and equality. Additionally, technological advancements have made it easier for women to combine work and family responsibilities.

Question 12

Which of the following countries has the highest percentage of female members in its national legislature?

Accepted Answer

Sweden has the highest percentage of female members in its national legislature, with 47% of seats held by women as of 2021. The United States has approximately 27% of women in Congress, Canada has approximately 29% of women in Parliament, and Iran has approximately 6% of women in the Majlis (parliament).

Question 13

Which of the following scenarios best exemplifies the concept of the motherhood penalty?

Accepted Answer

The motherhood penalty refers to the phenomenon where women who are mothers are penalized with lower status and pay compared to their childless counterparts in the workforce. Option B best exemplifies this as Bernette, the mother of two, is getting paid less than her childless coworker despite having the same job. The other options do not necessarily demonstrate this concept. Option A shows a woman who chose not to have children to focus on her career, which is not penalized. Option C shows that Haley is given a heavier load, but it does not necessarily imply a pay or status penalty. Option D shows Simone working hard in med school and working full time, but it does not indicate a comparison between her pay and status as a mother and a childless person.

Question 14

A political office is more likely to be considered "man's work" if the position:

Accepted Answer

Positions in state or federal politics are traditionally seen as more demanding and high-profile, often aligning with traditional gender roles that associate leadership and authority with men.

Question 15

Because of differential treatment in schools, Jasmine, a twelve-year-old girl, will likely be socialized to be:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Because of differential treatment in schools, Jasmine,...

Question 16

Janice Hernandez is running for political office. Based on what you know about gender and electoral politics, which office or party is she most likely to be running for?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that women are more likely to run for and win local political office than higher level positions such as U.S. Senate or U.S. House of Representatives. Additionally, there is no information provided about Janice's political affiliation, so it is impossible to determine if she is more likely to run as a Republican or Democratic candidate.

Question 17

The TV show Shark Tank found that companies founded by men received an average valuation of nearly $1.7 million, while those founded by women received an average valuation of just $781,000. How do sociologists explain this phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Sociologists argue that gender biases and stereotypes cause funders to have negative perceptions of women business owners, leading to lower valuations and funding for their ventures. This is due to the social construction of gender, which reinforces ideas about women being less competent than men in business and entrepreneurship. Women are often viewed as being risk-averse and less ambitious than men, which can lead to lower valuations and investment opportunities.

Question 18

John is an elementary school teacher who is encouraged by management to apply for the vacant principal position at his school. Even though there are equally qualified or more qualified female teachers, he is told he will get excellent recommendations. In this example, John is likely:

Accepted Answer

John is an example of someone riding the glass escalator, where men have an easier time advancing in female-dominated professions. He is being encouraged to apply for a higher position despite there being equally qualified or more qualified female teachers. This phenomenon is a result of societal and organizational gender biases.

Question 19

According to your textbook, over the past fifty years, women's participation in the paid labor force has:

Accepted Answer

According to the textbook, women's participation in the paid labor force has risen continuously over the past fifty years.

Question 20

Stanford University sociologist Shelley Correll and her colleagues found that:

Accepted Answer

The findings of the study conducted by Stanford University sociologist Shelley Correll and her colleagues indicate that mothers are less likely to be hired than non-mothers who have the same work experience and qualifications, and they are offered lower starting pay than equally qualified non-mothers for the same job. This suggests that mothers face discrimination in the workplace based on assumptions about their commitments and responsibilities outside of work.

Quiz 9: Gender Inequality