Chapter 11: Gender, Age, and Health

Section 1: GenderSection 2: Age and DisabilitySection 3: Health

Section 1: Gender» What is gender? Behavioral and

psychological traits considered appropriate for men and women

Gender Roles and Identity

Gender roles: specific behaviors and attitudes that a society establishes for men and women

Gender identity: awareness of being masculine or feminine as those traits are defined by culture

-the degree to which a person takes on a gender identity affects his or her response to the gender roles established in society

BETWEEN CULTURES: are our stereotypes off?-Tchambuli culture in New Guinea: women bossy and efficient while men are gossipy and artistic (men wear cosmetics and curled hair)-Mundugumor: masculinity with men and women-Arapesh: men and women passive and emotionally warm-Pacific Island societies more gender-role variations -1955 Good Wife’s Guide

Gender Roles in US» Gender roles reinforced at birth» Sex-specific clothes, toys, nursery furnishings» Pink vs. blue» Change more evident now? Tom-boys? Can a girl be

“physical” “like a boy”? Can a boy be “feminine” “like a girl”?

» Boys better at math and science? Girls better at reading and creativity?

» Are roles different and unequal? Are norms related to nature of human reproduction?

» Patriarchy - men are dominant over women» Sexism - the belief that one sex is by nature superior

to the other --only male sexism? A self-fulfilling prophecy

»

Gender Inequality in the US» Have women always had equal opportunities?» Women’s movement: movement which held that sexes were socially,

politically, economically unequal» July 1848 in Seneca Falls, New York - declaration of sentiments and

resolutions called for reforms for more women’s rights and for suffrage - the right to vote

» Suffrage was not easily won…why do you think? » Hunger strikes, civil disobedience, picketing the White House » 1920 - 19th Amendment to constitution gave women right to vote » Later - were women expected only to take role of wire and mother?» Equal Rights Amendment 1972 - failed to be passed» Other acts passed by Congress outlawed gender discrimination » Education: women (prior to 1979) very much underrepresented with

college students; today women outnumber men in college - still strong distinctions in degree majors; example - engineering versus liberal arts degrees; masters versus doctorate

» What about sports in schools? Are women as supported as men with athletic scholarships, funding, etc…? Education Amendment Act of 1972 - has the goal been fulfilled?

» The Work Place: » Wage gap: 1960s women made 58 cents to men’s dollar…

today roughly 75 cents to the dollar…why has this happened? » The glass ceiling: invisible barrier» Conflicts at home: who works? Who takes care of the kids?

» POLITICS:» Ever-changing; women make up majority of voting population,

but not holding office; changes every election - Clinton, Pilosi, Rice, etc…

Section 2: Age and Disability » In society how are people treated differently as they age? » Ageism: the belief that one age group is superior to another…is

this a true phenomenon? How does society cater to the older community?

» +60 population is increasing - “graying of America”» Baby-boom generation - between 1946 and 1960 births heavily

increased» Higher population = more importance with voting…how do

candidates cater to elder generations?» AARP - American Association of Retired Persons; National

Council of Senior Citizens; National Council of Aging; Gray Panthers

» Social Security System: Government program to support senior citizens - as life expectancy increases this puts strain on government?

» Old-old population - health issues - medicare (assistance with disabilities), medicaid (assistance with low-income individuals)

» Age Inequality in US:» For elderly - poverty rate is growing» Breaks down either further with minorities: African American

- 22%; Hispanics - 19%

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES-53 million Americans live with disability - includes physical

disabilities, chronic health impairments, mental retardation, mental illness, visual, hearing, speech impairments

-prejudice: meaningful employment - do employers “trust” population of people?

-Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975-1988 Fair Housing Amendments Act-Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 addresses

employment, public service, public accommodations, telecommunications

Section 3: Health» Main issues with US health care system: cost,

quality» COST:

» US spends higher percentage of GDP on health care than any other country

» Why? Hospital care, advances in medical technology, fear of malpractice lawsuits, increased spending on prescription drugs, medicaid, medicare

» QUALITY:» Managed care: patients pay monthly and receive health-

care services» Does savings come at cost - has quality decreased? Do you

have to have the bucks to get the quality service» Patients’ bill of rights

» Access to Health Care: surplus of doctors, however, access is problem; physicians concentrate in wealthy urban areas; physicians concentrate on specialty fields

» Inequality: income level reflects medical service; many stats that support this

» Poor children less likely survive first year of life» Hunger - schooling success» Large percentage of poor children have no health insurance» Suffering from influenza, pneumonia, tuberculosis, alcoholism,

heart disease

» Health Insurance» Private versus public insurance» Medicaid, medicare systems given uneven health-

care delivery» Some hospitals DO NOT accept medicaid,

medicare» Many insurance companies WILL NOT cover

people with pre-existing medical conditions» Is a national health system the answer? What is

positive and negative about this?

» Alternative Medicine - treating illness with unconventional(?) methods such as acupuncture, acupressure, biofeedback, massage, meditation, yoga, herbal remedies, relaxation techniques

» Concerns about alternative medicine? Why? Are those concerns rooted in racist or nationalistic ideals or views? You have to decide for yourself

» AIDS: 1981 first cases found in US» Cases grown significantly» Who is at highest risk? Homosexuals,

bisexuals, drug abusers» Costs for HIV/Aids patients extremely high» High in minority groups as well» How can US be model for treatment and

prevention to rest of world?