copyright © 2010 pearson education, inc., upper saddle river, nj 07458. all rights reserved. women:...

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. All rights reserved.

WOMEN: THE WOMEN: THE OPPRESSED OPPRESSED MAJORITYMAJORITY

CHAPTER 15CHAPTER 15


Women and Minority StatusWomen and Minority Status

Subordinate status means confinement Subordinate status means confinement to subordinate roles not justified by a to subordinate roles not justified by a person’s abilitiesperson’s abilities

Biological differences between males Biological differences between males and femalesand females

Must separate differences of gender Must separate differences of gender from those produced by sexismfrom those produced by sexism

Feminist movement has a long historyFeminist movement has a long history Child care and housework still Child care and housework still

disproportionately responsibilities of disproportionately responsibilities of womenwomen


Men and women find it difficult to Men and women find it difficult to conceptualize women as a conceptualize women as a subordinate groupsubordinate group Not all women live in ghettosNot all women live in ghettos No longer attend inferior schoolsNo longer attend inferior schools Freely interact and live with their allege Freely interact and live with their allege

oppressors – menoppressors – men


Five properties of a subordinate or Five properties of a subordinate or minority groupminority group 1. Women experience unequal treatment1. Women experience unequal treatment 2. Women have physical and cultural 2. Women have physical and cultural

characteristics that distinguish them from characteristics that distinguish them from the dominant group – menthe dominant group – men

3. Membership in the subordinate group is 3. Membership in the subordinate group is involuntaryinvoluntary

4. Women are aware of their subordinate 4. Women are aware of their subordinate status and have a sense of solidarity status and have a sense of solidarity

5. Women are not forced to marry, yet 5. Women are not forced to marry, yet many feel subordinate status defined many feel subordinate status defined within marriagewithin marriage


SexismSexism The ideology that one sex is superior to The ideology that one sex is superior to

the otherthe other AndrogynyAndrogyny

The view that there are few differences The view that there are few differences between the sexesbetween the sexes Permits people to see that humans can be Permits people to see that humans can be

both aggressive and expressive depending both aggressive and expressive depending on the situationon the situation


Gender RolesGender Roles Gender RolesGender Roles

Society’s expectations of the proper behavior, Society’s expectations of the proper behavior, attitudes, and activities of males and femalesattitudes, and activities of males and females

Socialization has powerful impact on Socialization has powerful impact on development of females and males in USdevelopment of females and males in US

Origin of gender roles are not clearOrigin of gender roles are not clear Animal studies and genderAnimal studies and gender Cross-cultural studies and genderCross-cultural studies and gender

Acceptable behavior for men and women Acceptable behavior for men and women change over time in a societychange over time in a society


Sociological PerspectiveSociological Perspective Gender differences maintained in our Gender differences maintained in our

culture through systematic socializationculture through systematic socialization Gender differentiation in US culture Gender differentiation in US culture

embedded in social institutionsembedded in social institutions Family, education, religion, politics, Family, education, religion, politics,

economy, medicine, and mass mediaeconomy, medicine, and mass media FunctionalistFunctionalist

Sex differentiation contributes to overall Sex differentiation contributes to overall social stabilitysocial stability

Persuasive in explaining the way men and Persuasive in explaining the way men and women are brought up is US societywomen are brought up is US society


Conflict TheoryConflict Theory Relationship between females and males Relationship between females and males

is one of unequal power with men being is one of unequal power with men being dominant over womendominant over women

Functionalists and conflict Functionalists and conflict theoriststheorists Acknowledge it is not possible to change Acknowledge it is not possible to change

gender roles drastically without dramatic gender roles drastically without dramatic revisions in a culture’s social structurerevisions in a culture’s social structure

Functionalists see potential social disorder or Functionalists see potential social disorder or unknown social consequencesunknown social consequences

Conflict theorists contend no social structure Conflict theorists contend no social structure is desirable if maintained through oppressionis desirable if maintained through oppression


The Feminist MovementThe Feminist Movement Women activists and sympathetic men Women activists and sympathetic men

who spoke of equal rights were who spoke of equal rights were ridiculed and scornedridiculed and scorned

Emerged during the early part of the Emerged during the early part of the nineteenth centurynineteenth century

Evolved out of the oppression of women Evolved out of the oppression of women and children within the colonial family and children within the colonial family and societyand society

Role of women in the abolitionist Role of women in the abolitionist movement and its influence on the movement and its influence on the development of the women’s movementdevelopment of the women’s movement


The Suffrage MovementThe Suffrage Movement SuffragistsSuffragists

Worked for years to get women the right to voteWorked for years to get women the right to vote

Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott and Seneca Falls women’s rights and Seneca Falls women’s rights convention of 1848convention of 1848

Nineteenth Amendment to the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution (1919)Constitution (1919) Remarkable achievement because it had to Remarkable achievement because it had to

rely on male legislators to do sorely on male legislators to do so Movement faded and regained Movement faded and regained

prominence in the 1960’sprominence in the 1960’s


The Women’s Liberation The Women’s Liberation MovementMovement

Role of the civil rights movement and Role of the civil rights movement and the re-emergence of feminismthe re-emergence of feminism

Several events delayed progress in Several events delayed progress in 1960’s1960’s Civil rights movement and the antiwar Civil rights movement and the antiwar

movement slow to embrace women’s movement slow to embrace women’s rightsrights

New Left as sexist as the rest of society in New Left as sexist as the rest of society in practice despite talk of equalitypractice despite talk of equality

Protest groups rejected women leadersProtest groups rejected women leaders Eventually civil rights movement, New Eventually civil rights movement, New

Left, and established women groups Left, and established women groups endorsed feminist movementendorsed feminist movement


Feminist movement underwent Feminist movement underwent significant changesignificant change

Betty FriedanBetty Friedan

Founder of National Organization Founder of National Organization for Women (NOW)for Women (NOW) Feminine MystiqueFeminine Mystique

Recognizing that society saw women only as Recognizing that society saw women only as their children’s mother and their husband’s their children’s mother and their husband’s wifewife

Called for restructuring the “institution of Called for restructuring the “institution of home and wife”home and wife”


The Economic PictureThe Economic Picture Occupational segregation of womenOccupational segregation of women Women are concentrated in low paying Women are concentrated in low paying

occupationsoccupations Increase in female labor force Increase in female labor force

participation over the last centuryparticipation over the last century Sexism in employmentSexism in employment Bureau of Labor Statistics segregation Bureau of Labor Statistics segregation

indexindex 54% of women and men workers would 54% of women and men workers would

need to switch jobs to create a labor force need to switch jobs to create a labor force without segregationwithout segregation


Occupational Segregation Occupational Segregation and Discriminationand Discrimination

Occupational segregation by gender Occupational segregation by gender continues, but women have increased continues, but women have increased participation in labor forceparticipation in labor force

Women earnings have increased Women earnings have increased significantly over the last quarter significantly over the last quarter centurycentury From 62 cents to 80 cents for every dollar From 62 cents to 80 cents for every dollar

earned by menearned by men Show little further narrowing through 2012Show little further narrowing through 2012


Sources of discriminationSources of discrimination Primary cause is segregating Primary cause is segregating

influences in the labor marketinfluences in the labor market The social and occupational roles of The social and occupational roles of

men and women have become men and women have become segregated segregated Ideologically Ideologically Physically Physically Socially Socially

Ideological devaluation of the Ideological devaluation of the occupational roles of womenoccupational roles of women


Efforts to eliminate discrimination as it Efforts to eliminate discrimination as it applies to womenapplies to women 1964 Civil Rights Act1964 Civil Rights Act

Equal Employment Opportunity CommissionEqual Employment Opportunity Commission Address cases of sex discriminationAddress cases of sex discrimination

Pay Equity (Comparable worth)Pay Equity (Comparable worth) Calls for equal pay for different types of work Calls for equal pay for different types of work

that are judged to be comparable by measuring:that are judged to be comparable by measuring: KnowledgeKnowledge SkillsSkills Effort Effort ResponsibilityResponsibility Working conditionsWorking conditions

Primary goal of feminists-eliminate sex Primary goal of feminists-eliminate sex discrimination in labor force and discrimination in labor force and equalize job opportunitiesequalize job opportunities


Glass CeilingGlass Ceiling Refers to the invisible barrier blocking the Refers to the invisible barrier blocking the

promotion of a qualified worker because of promotion of a qualified worker because of gender or minority membershipgender or minority membership

Despite debate over affirmative action, Despite debate over affirmative action, consensus is that there is little room at consensus is that there is little room at the top for women and minoritiesthe top for women and minorities

Mommy TrackMommy Track An unofficial career track that firms use for An unofficial career track that firms use for

women who want to divide their attention women who want to divide their attention between work and familybetween work and family Can’t be applied to all womenCan’t be applied to all women Implies that men are not interested in Implies that men are not interested in

maintaining balance between work and familymaintaining balance between work and family


Sexual HarassmentSexual Harassment Recognized as any unwanted and Recognized as any unwanted and

unwelcome sexual advances that unwelcome sexual advances that interfere with a person’s ability to interfere with a person’s ability to perform a job and enjoy the benefits of a perform a job and enjoy the benefits of a jobjob

Sociocultural theory of sexual Sociocultural theory of sexual harassmentharassment Rooted within patriarchy and male dominanceRooted within patriarchy and male dominance

Takes place where the hierarchy of authority Takes place where the hierarchy of authority finds White men at the top and in which finds White men at the top and in which women’s work is valued less than men’swomen’s work is valued less than men’s African American women 3 times more likely than African American women 3 times more likely than

White women to experience sexual harassment White women to experience sexual harassment


Power theory of sexual Power theory of sexual harassmentharassment Rooted within the distribution of power Rooted within the distribution of power

within organizationswithin organizations Function of the difference in power Function of the difference in power

relationsrelations Conflict PerspectiveConflict Perspective

Women, especially women of color, are Women, especially women of color, are most likely to be victims of sexual most likely to be victims of sexual harassmentharassment

These groups typically are an These groups typically are an organization’s most vulnerable organization’s most vulnerable employees in terms of job securityemployees in terms of job security


Feminization of PovertyFeminization of Poverty Poverty and womenPoverty and women Increase in the number of female headed Increase in the number of female headed

householdshouseholds Increase in divorceIncrease in divorce Displaced HomemakerDisplaced Homemaker

Defined as women whose primary occupation Defined as women whose primary occupation had been homemaking but who did not find full had been homemaking but who did not find full time employment after divorce, separation, or time employment after divorce, separation, or widowhoodwidowhood

Declining alimony and the lack of child Declining alimony and the lack of child supportsupport

Lack of family friendly Federal Lack of family friendly Federal policiespolicies


EducationEducation

Sex-segregated classrooms Sex-segregated classrooms (structure and tracking by gender)(structure and tracking by gender)

Discrimination in admissions and Discrimination in admissions and financial aid by sexfinancial aid by sex

Increase in the number female Increase in the number female faculty on campusesfaculty on campuses

Equal access to educational Equal access to educational resourcesresources


Education Act of 1972 and Department Education Act of 1972 and Department of Health, Education, and Welfare of Health, Education, and Welfare guidelines of 1974 and 1975guidelines of 1974 and 1975 Collectively called Collectively called Title IX provisionsTitle IX provisions

Regulations designed to eliminate sexist practices Regulations designed to eliminate sexist practices from almost all school systemsfrom almost all school systems

Schools must make changes or lose federal Schools must make changes or lose federal assistanceassistance

Eliminate all sex-segregated classes and Eliminate all sex-segregated classes and extracurricular activitiesextracurricular activities

Cannot discriminate by sex in admissions or financial Cannot discriminate by sex in admissions or financial aid; cannot inquire if applicant is married, pregnant, aid; cannot inquire if applicant is married, pregnant, or parentor parent

Schools must end sexist hiring and promotion Schools must end sexist hiring and promotion practices among faculty memberspractices among faculty members

Although women do not have to be admitted to play Although women do not have to be admitted to play on all-men’s athletic teams, schools must provide on all-men’s athletic teams, schools must provide more opportunities for women’s sports, intramural more opportunities for women’s sports, intramural and extramuraland extramural


Family LifeFamily Life US society equates work with wagesUS society equates work with wages

Women who do household chores and Women who do household chores and volunteer work are given little statusvolunteer work are given little status

Sociologist Susan Walzer (1996)Sociologist Susan Walzer (1996) Mothers are much more involved than fathers Mothers are much more involved than fathers

in the invisible mental labor associated with in the invisible mental labor associated with taking care of a babytaking care of a baby

Media attention (21Media attention (21stst century) century) Focused on high profile women who choose Focused on high profile women who choose

not to climb the last steps of corporate laddernot to climb the last steps of corporate ladder ““opting out”opting out” led to generalization on all led to generalization on all

womenwomen


Seventy-two percent of care givers are Seventy-two percent of care givers are womenwomen

Psychologist Mary Clare Lennon Psychologist Mary Clare Lennon and Sociologist Sarah Rosenfield and Sociologist Sarah Rosenfield (1994)(1994) 67% men suggested uneven distribution of 67% men suggested uneven distribution of

housework fair to both spouseshousework fair to both spouses Married women with fewest alternatives Married women with fewest alternatives

and financial prospects most likely to and financial prospects most likely to accept unequal household arrangementsaccept unequal household arrangements

Women who view unequal housework as Women who view unequal housework as unjust experience more depressionunjust experience more depression


Sociologist Arlie HochschildSociologist Arlie Hochschild Second ShiftSecond Shift

Describes the double burden – work outside Describes the double burden – work outside the home followed by child care and the home followed by child care and housework that many women face and few housework that many women face and few men share equitablymen share equitably

Issue increasingly important as more Issue increasingly important as more mothers work outside the homemothers work outside the home

Mommy TaxMommy Tax Economic cost of “second shift”Economic cost of “second shift”

Lower salaries women receive over their lifetime Lower salaries women receive over their lifetime because they have childrenbecause they have children

Lose job experienceLose job experience Trade off higher wages for following mommy Trade off higher wages for following mommy

tracktrack Discriminated against by employersDiscriminated against by employers


AbortionAbortion

Controversial subject affecting family Controversial subject affecting family life in USlife in US

Roe v. Wade (January 22, 1973)Roe v. Wade (January 22, 1973) Applauded by pro-choice groups and Applauded by pro-choice groups and

condemned by pro-lifecondemned by pro-life Social class issues and abortionSocial class issues and abortion Abortion issue centers on the Abortion issue centers on the

distribution of power and the (control) distribution of power and the (control) over the roles and rights of men and over the roles and rights of men and women in societywomen in society


In terms of social class, right to In terms of social class, right to terminate pregnancy affected poor terminate pregnancy affected poor peoplepeople 1976 Hyde Amendment1976 Hyde Amendment

Banned use of Medicaid and other federal Banned use of Medicaid and other federal funds for abortionfunds for abortion

Another obstacle – access to abortion Another obstacle – access to abortion providersproviders Fewer hospitals allowing doctors to perform Fewer hospitals allowing doctors to perform

abortions except in extreme casesabortions except in extreme cases


Political ActivityPolitical Activity Women constitute 53% of the voting Women constitute 53% of the voting

populationpopulation Under-represented in National political Under-represented in National political

officesoffices More representation on Local and State levelMore representation on Local and State level Lack of representatives is a function of a Lack of representatives is a function of a

number of factors.number of factors. 1. Fewer women in business and law– the 1. Fewer women in business and law– the

grooming ground for a political career.grooming ground for a political career. 2. Fewer women in political organizations and 2. Fewer women in political organizations and

decision making.decision making. 3. Some women may feel that a political career 3. Some women may feel that a political career

may interfere with family responsibilities. may interfere with family responsibilities.


Matrix of Domination: Matrix of Domination: Minority WomenMinority Women

African American Feminist Patricia African American Feminist Patricia Hill Collins (1990)Hill Collins (1990)

Matrix of DominationMatrix of Domination Whites dominate non-Whites; men dominate Whites dominate non-Whites; men dominate

women; and the affluent dominate the poorwomen; and the affluent dominate the poor Gender, race, and social class not only Gender, race, and social class not only

systems of oppressionsystems of oppression Profoundly affect women and people of Profoundly affect women and people of

color in UScolor in US Double Jeopardy: Minority WomenDouble Jeopardy: Minority Women

Subordinate status twiceSubordinate status twice


QUESTIONSQUESTIONS


How is women’s subordinate How is women’s subordinate position different from that of position different from that of oppressed racial and ethnic groups? oppressed racial and ethnic groups? How is it similar?How is it similar?


Explain the “Double-Jeopardy” Explain the “Double-Jeopardy” status of minority women in status of minority women in America. How is this explained by America. How is this explained by the Matrix of Domination?the Matrix of Domination?


What are the special challenges What are the special challenges facing women of subordinate racial facing women of subordinate racial and ethnic groups?and ethnic groups?


How has the focus of the feminist How has the focus of the feminist movement changed from the movement changed from the suffragist movement to the present?suffragist movement to the present?


How do the patterns of women in the How do the patterns of women in the workplace differ from those of men?workplace differ from those of men?


How has the changing role of women How has the changing role of women in the United States affected the in the United States affected the family?family?


How are men’s and women’s roles How are men’s and women’s roles defined differently when it comes to defined differently when it comes to such concepts as the mommy track, such concepts as the mommy track, the second shift, and the displaced the second shift, and the displaced homemaker?homemaker?

copyright © 2010 pearson education, inc., upper saddle river, nj 07458. all rights reserved. women:...

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