They hold the belief that power lies with men instead of the economy and the structure of society is so men are able to maintain their power. Along with having these beliefs, feminists also believe women are being suppressed in society. One area feminists hold strong views over is the family. They believe that society is patriarchal. Linda N. (undated) provides a definition as men holding the position of power and the head of the family unit.
122 As a process, gender creates the social differences that define “woman” and “man.” In social interaction throughout their lives, individuals learn what is expected, see what is expected, act and react in expected ways, and thus simultaneously construct and maintain the gender order pg. 123 As part of a stratification system, gender ranks men above women of the same race and class pg. 123 The dominant categories are the hegemonic ideals, taken so for granted as the way things should be that white is not ordinarily thought of as race, middle class or men as a gender. The characteristics of these categories define the Other as that which lacks the valuable qualities the dominants exhibit. Pg.
In other parts of the world sexism is more prominent because males have dominant roles over women and therefore look down upon them. Not only is there sexism, but there is ambivalent sexism which is defined as sexism directed against women based on both positive and negative attitudes (hostility and benevolence) rather than uniform dislike. To better understand ambivalent sexism I took a test that would rate my hostile and ambivalent sexism. The Ambivalent sexism inventory measure how sexist you are towards men and women. My scores from this test were quite surprising to me.
My research will try to explain and discuss the differences in spiritual as well as cultural situations between men and women gender roles. Hopefully I will give the understanding of why woman have to obey the man in spite of the spiritual hierarchy and why woman continue to play the subservient role there. Gender roles differ in all parts of the world. These pivotal elements of obedience derived from a patriarchal society that expects women to play the subservient position. Is it fair for women to have the same rights as men?
They have found that there is increasing family diversity and that women are not equally exploited in all types of family e.g. matrifocal or lesbian families. Nicholson (1997) believes women are often better off outside the traditional idea of family and Calhoun (1997) explains women cannot be exploited by men in lesbian families. This perspective is not easy to criticize because it recognizes differences in family life however it can be criticized for losing sight of continuing inequalities between men and women within the family. Radical feminists believe that the family plays a major role in maintaining the oppression of women in a male-dominated society.
In society there are always stereotypes and unwritten rules that are followed. During the era of Norman England, gender roles were a prominent facet of life; men and women adhered to strict codes of conduct. Men are idealized as strong, dominant, and respectful, whereas women are elegant and courtly. If an individual does not meet the standards of society, they are shunned. However, not everyone agrees with the heavy stereotypes laid down by the social order such as male dominance and proper courting.
Gender is put into “masculine” and “feminine” categories while sex is put into “male” and “female”categories. How do gender and sex contribute to the concepts and constructions of masculinity and femininity? Gender and sex have so much to do with masculinity and femininity. Like I said above [Gender is put into “masculine” and “feminine” categories while sex is put into “male” and “female”categories.] Males are considered masculine because they are “rough and tough” and females are considered feminine because of history and women having to act like a “proper lady”.
Ignorance What causes cross-cultural conflicts? In the articles “Sex and Gender” by William Thompson and Joseph Hickey, “Sex, Lies, and Conversation” by Deborah Tannen, and “Identity in Transformation” by Yasmin Ahmed, each will explore the many obstacles people face in their lives and demonstrate how clashes among different cultures are caused by assumptions manifested from expectations. In “Sex and Gender,” William Thompson and Joseph Hickey explain the differences between sex and gender. Most altercations come from the differences in terms of sex and gender that aren’t clear to others, ”Sex is based on biological and physical differences between females and males; gender refers to a cultural understanding of what constitutes masculinity and femininity in a society” (285). Sex is established by genetics whereas gender is shaped by ones particular society at particular times.
The divergent communication styles of men and women, referred to as “genderlects” by Deborah Tannen, are often the impetus behind relationship problems. But before one goes into the blame game of accusing others of not listening, the styles of communication for both men and women must be examined as if one is investigating two diverse cultures. Tannen says that “each partner [in a relationship] is operating within a different
“Men made the laws that gave them control over women’s wages and property, that gave husbands authority over their wives, and that deprived women of the children in divorce.”( Nash 11) It was blatant that women were deprived from a majority of their rights during this time period. Women were also not allowed to pursue the professional career they desired. “Education for women in the 1800s was minimal during that period. Schooling was for the male gender,