Theories of Gender: Crash Course Sociology #33

Summary

This script explores the significance of gender in society through three sociological theories: structural functionalism, which views gender as a societal organizer; symbolic interactionism, focusing on gender's role in daily life and how it's 'done' through behaviors and appearances; and social conflict theory, emphasizing gender's part in distributing power and privilege, often favoring men in patriarchal structures. It also touches on feminism, discussing its various forms, including liberal, socialist, and radical, each advocating for gender equality in different ways.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Gender varies across cultures, with some recognizing more than two genders or viewing gender as fluid.
• 🏕️ The concept of a third gender, such as the 'Two Spirit' among Native American cultures, is integral and sacred within their societies.
• 📚 Sociological theories like structural functionalism, symbolic interactionism, and social conflict theory offer different perspectives on the existence of gender.
• 🔍 Structural functionalism views gender as a societal organizer, with traditional roles for men and women complementing each other.
• 🤔 Talcott Parsons' theory suggests that gender socialization into complementary traits supports stable family units, but has been criticized for its narrow cultural focus.
• 👔 Symbolic interactionism considers gender as something individuals 'do' through everyday behaviors and interactions, influencing societal power dynamics.
• 💬 The 'doing gender' concept highlights how gender roles are performed and reinforced through clothing, body language, and social interactions.
• 💪 Social conflict theory, and its intersection with feminism, emphasizes that gender is a system that distributes power, often favoring men in a patriarchal society.
• 🔄 Intersectionality within gender studies acknowledges that multiple identities can lead to compounded disadvantages, affecting different groups unequally.
• 🌈 Feminism advocates for gender equality and takes various forms, including liberal, socialist, and radical, each with distinct approaches to addressing gender issues.

Q & A

Why does gender matter to us so much according to the video?

Gender matters because it is a way societies organize roles and distribute power and privilege. It affects how people interact and is deeply ingrained in cultural norms and expectations.

How does structural functionalism view the role of gender in society?

Structural functionalism sees gender as a means to organize society into distinct roles that complement each other, often based on traditional male and female roles, such as men as providers and women as home caregivers.

What critique does the video present regarding the structural functionalist perspective on gender?

The video critiques the structural functionalist perspective for being based on a specific division of labor from middle-class white America in the mid-20th century, which does not account for diverse family structures and non-Western perspectives on gender.

What is the symbolic interaction theory's approach to understanding gender?

Symbolic interaction theory views gender as something that individuals 'do' in their everyday lives, through behaviors, clothing, body language, and social interactions that convey and reinforce societal definitions of masculinity and femininity.

How does the video explain the concept of 'doing gender'?

The concept of 'doing gender' refers to the ways individuals perform and express their gender through actions, clothing, and behaviors that are socially recognized and expected.

What is social conflict theory's stance on gender?

Social conflict theory views gender as a structural system that distributes power and privilege, with patriarchy being the social organization where men dominate and have more power, leading to gender inequality.

How does intersectionality relate to gender conflict theory as discussed in the video?

Intersectionality is the analysis of how different social identities, such as race, class, and gender, interact and can lead to multiple dimensions of disadvantage. It is closely related to gender conflict theory as it recognizes that not all individuals within a gender experience privilege or disadvantage equally.

What are the three major schools of thought within feminist theory mentioned in the video?

The three major schools of thought within feminist theory mentioned are liberal feminism, which focuses on expanding rights and opportunities; socialist feminism, which sees capitalism as the foundation of patriarchy and advocates for economic equality; and radical feminism, which believes in eliminating gender as we know it to achieve equality.

How does the video address the issue of gender norms and their impact on individuals who do not conform?

The video discusses that society encourages gender conformity and often rejects those who do not fit into traditional gender norms, which can lead to personal and social costs for individuals who do not conform.

What is the 'Two Spirit' term mentioned in the video, and how does it relate to gender in some Native American cultures?

The 'Two Spirit' term is an umbrella term used by many Native American and First Nation peoples to recognize a third gender that incorporates both masculine and feminine qualities and plays a sacred role within their cultures.

How does the video suggest that gender roles are maintained and reinforced in society?

The video suggests that gender roles are maintained and reinforced through socialization, societal expectations, and the reinforcement of gender conformity, which are all part of the broader structures and institutions within society.