Learning Objectives

After studying this chapter you should be able to understand the following:

2 Gender roles show up in our work and behavior and in how we react to others.

3 Females have been more severely restricted by traditional gender roles, but these roles have also restricted males.

4 The research of anthropologist Margaret Mead points to the importance of cultural conditioning in defining the social roles of males and females.

5 Functionalists maintain that sex differentiation contributes to overall social stability, whereas conflict theorists contend that the relationship between females and males has been one of unequal power, with men in a dominant position over women. This dominance also shows up in everyday interactions.

6 Although numerically a majority, in many respects women fit the definition of a subordinate minority group within the United States.

7 Women around the world experience sexism and institutional discrimination.

8 As women have taken on more and more hours of paid employment outside the home, they have been only partially successful in getting their husbands to take a greater role in homemaking duties, including child care.

9 Many women agree with the positions of the feminist movement but reject the label of "feminist."

10 Like other forms of stratification, age stratification varies from culture to culture.

11 "Being old" is a master status that seems to overshadow all others in the United States.

12 The particular problems of the aged have become the focus for a specialized area of research and inquiry known as gerontology.

13 Disengagement theory implicitly suggests that society should help older people withdraw from their accustomed social roles, whereas activity theory argues that the elderly person who remains active and socially involved will be best-adjusted.

14 From a conflict perspective, the low status of older people is reflected in prejudice and discrimination against them and unfair job practices.

15 An increasing proportion of the population of the United States is composed of older people.

16 Ageism reflects a deep uneasiness on the part of younger people about growing old.

17 The AARP works as a powerful lobbying group backing legislation that will benefit senior citizens.

18 The issue of abortion has bitterly divided the United States (as well as other nations) and pitted pro-choice activists against pro-life activists.