review of literature sociology - survey

8/10/2019 Review of Literature Sociology - Survey

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1.) Review of Literature

Gender and its effects on social support is measured and explored in this research.

Does gender affect the amount of social support one receives and does it affect theamount of satisfaction one might receive from their support circles? It is hypothesized

that gender has an effect on social support; females tend to have more social support and

are likely socially network themselves more than males. From light of previous studieson gender and social support the two concepts are closely connected !mainly due to

socialization practices.

"ocialization is the long process in which a mem#er of society learns how tocommunicate and interact with their surroundings and other individuals. It is through this

process of human interaction that individuals learn the different gender scripts norms and

values of their culture. $s many scholars have noted culture and social structure

manufacture gender and studies continue to support the idea that #iological links togender are extremely minimal. %he world experienced #y a female and conversely a

world experienced #y a male are very different. Due to socialization #y peers the family

the media and the school the way in which a female understands the world and the

appropriate gender acts she learns differs from what a male would learn.&ecause society teaches its mem#ers the correct and proper way to #ehave for a

female and a male women and men ingrain certain attitudes and acts into their dailyroutines. %he acts they perform are taken!for!granted; men and women do not have to

think a#out why they are #ehaving in a certain manner they '(ust know). *ales will

interact differently than females #ecause of the socialization practices that are deeplyem#edded into society.

Gender!appropriate #ehaviour is learned through parents teachers friends and the

media. %hey communicate #eliefs a#out the social meanings of #eing male or female.

&oys are encouraged to not to show an interest in +girls,, activities -endall /012.Depending on the sex of the child parents often assign maintenance chores to #oys while

domestic chores such as cooking or looking after younger children are assigned to girls-endall /012. %hese domestic chores which teach girls nurturing #ehaviour may#ecome linked with future occupational choices as well as personal characteristics

-endall /012. %o further illustrate this point children,s toys reflect society,s expectation

of gender roles as well as certain gendered acts. For example if a doll is given to a girlshe may hug stroke and show 'tender loving care) towards the toy; a #all in a #oy,s hand

'demands #ouncing throwing and kicking) -endall /012. %hrough the process of

socialization children #egin to shape their personalities and align themselves with the

appropriate gendered #ehaviour.In the article '3hen experience counts most4 effects of experiential similarity on

men,s and women,s receipt of support during #ereavement) the researchers explore the

different levels of responses to emotional support. %he article is particularly interested inthe variations in the effects of experiential similarity -/552. "uitor and 6illemer notes t

hat gender differences in support across the life course exist #ecause of the different

socialization methods for men and for females. *en as 'less willing than women toadmit needing or desiring support7less willing than women to accept support when

offered less proficient than women at soliciting support and less willing and a#le to than

women to reciprocate support) -/582. $s there are difficulties for men to receive support


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the article suggests that men more than women need 'greater empathy and

understanding #etween associates with shared experiences) -/582.

2.) Concepts

Dependent Concept

%he dependent concept of interest is social support. In order to measure this concept theamount of social networks and exposure to social networks as well as the satisfaction of

the support received were used as varia#les. 3ithin these varia#les a distinction was

made #etween support received from the family and support received from friends.

%hese varia#les are important in measuring the concept of social support. "ocial supportcan #e defined as assistance availa#le to individuals from within communities such as

friends and family that can provide aid in times of adversity. "ocial support is also

directly related to one,s mental and physical health. $s social support is an essential

aspect of an individual,s life it is important to measure how gender affects the type andamount of social support one receives. $ #etter understanding of the relationship

#etween gender and social support is necessary for many different reasons for examplefor groups of people for whom intervention research is re9uired. $lso to provide social

aid for those who feel disenfranchised an understanding of the dynamics of gender and

social support may prove to #e #eneficial.

Independent Concept

"ince the effects of social support are dependent on gender gender is the independentconcept of interest. $s gender is accepted as a social construction rather than dependent

on #iological forces socialization practices are attri#uted to the formation of gender.

:owever since it is difficult to provide research through this study on socializationtechni9ues and the effects they may have on gender the dearth of previous research and

literature availa#le on gender and socialization will suffice to note that the agents of

socialization affect an individual,s gender.

Interveningantecedent varia#les?

0.2hypotheses

It is hypothesized that gender has an effect on social support; females tend to have moresocial support and are likely socially network themselves more than males. %here is a

negative relationship #etween male and social support; men have less social support and

rely less on their social networks. 3omen however have a positive relationship withsocial support; they tend to have larger social networks and interact with family and

friends more often than males.


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Having friends and other people to turn to in times of need or crisis. Social support functions togive a person broader focus on a problem and positive self-image. TOPwww.nursing.virginia.edu/centers/research/wait/psyched/glossary.html

That assistance available to individuals and groups from within communities which can provide abuffer against adverse life events and living conditions, and can provide a positive resource forenhancing the uality of life.www.health.nsw.gov.au/public-health/health-promotion/abouthp/resources/glossary!.htm

"nformation from other people that one is loved and cared for, esteemed and valued, and part of anetwor# of communication and mutual obligation.
http://www.nursing.virginia.edu/centers/research/wait/psyched/glossary.htmlhttp://www.nursing.virginia.edu/centers/research/wait/psyched/glossary.htmlhttp://www.health.nsw.gov.au/public-health/health-promotion/abouthp/resources/glossary3.htmhttp://www.nursing.virginia.edu/centers/research/wait/psyched/glossary.htmlhttp://www.health.nsw.gov.au/public-health/health-promotion/abouthp/resources/glossary3.htm

review of literature sociology - survey

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