Question 1

Wade and Ferree discuss the history of basketball in the United States, showing that it was dominated by Jewish men in the first half of the 1900s. How does the concept of institution help explain why African Americans eventually came to dominate professional basketball? Likewise, how does the concept explain why men's basketball continues to outshine women's basketball?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Wade and Ferree discuss the history of...

Question 2

A study of pay in professional golfing concluded that the primary rationale for vast differences in prize money was

Accepted Answer

The answer of A study of pay in professional golfing...

Question 3

Institutional inertia makes social change difficult and yet we see a lot of social change in gender relations in many different social institutions. How do you explain this apparent contradiction? Discuss a few of the causal forces impelling change in a social institution of your own choosing.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Institutional inertia makes social change difficult and...

Question 4

Wade and Ferree argue that gender is never the most logical way to organize a sport. Choose a sport that they do not discuss and consider their claim. Brainstorm a list of other variables on which athletes in this sport could reasonably be divided. Choose the one you think makes the most sense and play out the scenario. How do you think this sport would change? How would life change for the athletes? The fans? The sponsors? What ideology of gender, if any, would the sport now support?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Wade and Ferree argue that gender is...

Question 5

What is the relationship between policies and norms?

Accepted Answer

Norms are informal, unwritten rules that are often based on social expectations or cultural traditions. Policies, on the other hand, are formal, written rules that are typically established by authorities or organizations. While both norms and policies may govern behavior, norms are not typically enforced through official channels, whereas policies may have legal or social consequences if they are violated. Therefore, the relationship between policies and norms is that policies are formal, written rules, while norms are informal, unwritten rules.

Question 6

The salience of gender in bathroom facilities varies. What is gender salience? Give some examples of how the salience of gender in bathroom facilities varies? In light of these observations, what conclusions can we draw about what purpose sex-segregated bathrooms serve?

Accepted Answer

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Question 7

When it comes down to it, regardless of social construction and social pressure, don't we live in a society in which it's possible to just be an individual?

Accepted Answer

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Question 8

The failure of efforts to install gender-neutral bathrooms in the Department of Social and Cultural Analysis at New York University is an illustration that indicates

Accepted Answer

The failure of efforts to install gender-neutral bathrooms at NYU indicates that changing institutional practices requires widespread support and compliance. This implies that it is not just the responsibility of one department or individual to make changes, but rather a collective effort from various stakeholders to create a more inclusive environment. The other options are less likely to be the main reason for the failure, as it is possible to install gender-neutral bathrooms and deal with discriminatory behavior by seeking legal action. However, it may be important to engage with transgender faculty staff members to address their needs and perspectives in the process.

Quiz 8: Institutions