Gender and age are ascribed statuses that provide a basis for social differentiation. This chapter examines the social construction of gender, theories of stratification by gender, women as an oppressed majority group, theories of aging, age stratification and ageism, and the growing political activism of the elderly.

1. In the United States, the social construction of gender continues to define significantly different expectations for females and males.

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

3. Though females have been more severely restricted than men by traditional gender roles, those 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, but conflict theorists charge that the relationship between females and males is one of unequal power, with men dominating women. This dominance shows up in people's everyday interactions.

6. Women around the world suffer from sexism, institutional discrimination, and sexual harassment.

7. 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 on more homemaking duties, including child care.

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

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

10. In the United States, being old is a master status that seems to overshadow all others.

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

12. Disengagement theory implicitly suggests that society should help older people to withdraw from their accustomed social roles. In contrast, activity theory suggests that the elderly person who remains active and socially involved will be better adjusted.

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

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

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

16. The AARP is a powerful lobbying group that backs legislation to benefit senior citizens.

17. The issue of abortion has bitterly divided the United States (as well as other nations), pitting pro-choice activists against pro-life activists.