Factors of Social Inequality

In class, the topic of gender inequality was brought up constantly. The book “ A People's History Of The United States” by Howard Zinn mentions a chapter on the Intimately Oppressed. In the chapter, there are examples of gender inequality such as the wife serving the husband, how the wife is the homemaker, women having no rights, different norms about sex, girls not allowed into schools and are not allowed to own property. Women were denied property, right to vote, wage inequality, education and careers. There are many social inequalities that occur between men and women, such as denying of education for women. Also in work areas women get paid less than man. There are many crimes against women that are not taken seriously. Men prevent women from getting higher paying jobs and keep them for themselves. In many countries women get paid less for doing the same exact job as men. Gender stratification theory of child bearing is discussed in the book as well in class. Many women are raised in other countries with the mindset to have as many babies possible and not concentrate on education. The conflict theory illustrates that men maintain position of power over women was discussed in class as well as in the book. The book highlights many different situations where women feel vulnerable because men have all the power. We also discussed about the ideology of control that women face.

Many of these social and economic differences are due to a women’s economic lifestyle and the general physical and emotional differences from that of a male. Society may be to blame for some

The gender of a person is the masculine or feminine attributes of that individual with respect to the psychological and biological role in society. (Magar, 2009) A gender role can be defined as the way that a person lives in society with respect to its lifestyle. It can be argued that over time the major differences between men and women’s gender roles have faded. In the past traditional roles have been based in their society by their biological orientation. (Magar, 2009) Gender roles can also be described as the behavior and attitudes that are expected of men and women in a society. (Faqs.org, 2011) Although different cultures impose different expectations, many cultures have the same basic gender roles.

Gender inequality refers to unequal treatment or perceptions of individuals wholly or partly due to their gender. It arises from differences in gender roles. Gender inequality isn’t a exercise which has just recently developed instead it is a practice which has been part of our community since civilizations have begun. When one thinks of gender issues they directly connect it with females however this issue consists of both men and women which can be heavily seen in the early eras.

First of all, gender inequality is not only a problem that affects women. Although women are under a great disadvantage, gender inequality has an impact on men too. With stereotypes that define all men as strong and aggressive and women as soft-hearted, it is

Obvious inequalities could be a wage gap, the likelihood of a male getting a promotion over a female, and the treatment of the women in forms of work-related help, or gender based discrimination. A largely undetected form of inequality in the workplace and in society is the language usage. Examples of this being things like ‘you throw like a girl’; ‘don’t be such a girl’ and other phrases that just generally call anyone who is emotional or weak a female or female like. This use of language very subtly makes women and the gender a joke, it makes them actually be considered lesser, and it affects the way that women look at themselves and how women limit themselves without even realizing

Gender inequality has been the main focus for many centuries through the use of discrimination and oppression women were exploited. Where women had very little rights of their own or a voice in society but made many sacrifices to achieve equal rights whether it be in employment or other areas of inequality. As men were seen as masculine breadwinners and women as more feminine by looking after the family and raring of children.

It is important to identify each factor and analyze how they act in conjunction to produce an overall culture of inequality. That is to say, you cannot understand the full extent to which someone suffers without knowing how each aspect builds up off each other. To start, legal divisions of gender are the most devastating. Not only do they enforce gender standards but they feed the social outlook by saying that the nation as a whole devalues a certain person. Things as simple as the right to vote enable the voiceless to become voiced and actually have visibility in day to day affairs. This allows subjugated groups to make changes in their communities and in effect, social reform. Economic divisions also play a major factor because money runs our world whether we like to believe it or not. With wealth comes opportunity and privileges. If women are deemed unfit for certain jobs, they can never amount to anything without relying on others which feeds into the common stereotype that women are inferior. The social inequality works off both of these facets. If women are not active politically or able to have a strong presence financially, they will not have the social image to gain equality. This idea plays both ways in and endless cycle. That is to say, you need the social opinions of acceptance to be able to pursue something; this is where the idea of the brave comes in because there are those who dare to venture out of social norms. However, if you exist in a society where you are expected to become a wife or preform more “empathetic” activities you will not be able to become a doctor, politician or scientist. This is not due mainly to eligibility or opportunity but also the fact that you are brainwashed into becoming content with you only have certain jobs available according to

Gender discrimination is not something that we can see in our home but also when we look into our society, we can see many types of discrimination. It can be in school, workplace, bus or even in train. The main problem with our society is that people consider women as powerless or someone to be in home to look after the kids. People think that some works can be done by only men so they just hire male workers by thinking that female workers can't do heavy works. Also, there will be unequal wages between male and female workers by just looking into their gender. Sometimes men get higher wages because the boss think that males are the one who take care of the family. In some cases, if woman is pregnant, some employers do not even like to interview or hire them just because they are pregnant. So, in most cases, women have to hide their pregnancy because of the fire they get fired. These kinds of gender discrimination

There are concepts in seventeenth century, Aristotle and Galen made many theory about gender. Aristotle’s theories described women are deformed men, and they are incomplete men. For example, Aristotle mentioned that men are excellent in every thin, and they are ruler. However, females are inferior and followers. In the same side, Galen’s concepts about women is as same as Aristotle. He describes women, and said women are colder and drier. In other side, men are hotter and wetter. Aristotle and Galen both agree that women are less perfect, and men are more perfect than women. As a result of that thoughts, there are many cases in the history of gender inequality.

think social institutions have different influence and shape gender inequality depending on where you live and where you're from. Such as in Africa they have high discrimination in social institutions, due to how their government is run. There they believe that men have the power and women are the “weak ones” who need to stay home and cook and care for their children. Even for a women to give birth to a daughter in other countries is looked down upon they want to have a son so that he can take over the father's farm and whatnot.

that does not like change because it has held a traditional belief that man is superior to woman.

Gender inequality is a social problem that is widespread in society. It is referred to as the unfair treatment of individuals based on one 's gender. Historically, laws have opposed women to go to school, access certain jobs, and purchase property. Gender inequality has been experience through culture – honor-killing, sex-selective abortion, and society – occupation, gender roles, and education. The social expectations of men and women differ between cultures that are constructed socially and culturally. These expectations are displayed in roles, and behavior believed both by men and women and their interdependent relationships. Gender inequality can be further understood through the structure of sexism. Discrimination takes place in gender inequality for the reason that men and women are treated on the basis of gender alone (Amjad, R., Ashfaq, M., Kousar, R., Saghir, A., 2010).

Social status and structures have definitely shaped the construction and experience of gender inequality. Men and women are constantly analyzed, compared, and grouped together in society. The result of this yields discrepancies in how sexes are viewed by society. Throughout my examination and explanation of gender inequality, I concluded both men and women are victims to gender inequality.

Lets take a look at the core of gender inequality. What first must be distinguished is the difference between sex and gender. Sex refers to the biological label given to each individual at birth (Social Inequalities 316). We are labeled male or female based on our sex organs, bodily chemistry, and bodily functions in general (Social Inequalities 316). The social and cultural differences not acquired at birth determine gender (Social Inequalities 316). These accepted behaviors to which men and women are expected to conform are established by the society. These are referred to characteristics of femininity and masculinity. As one grows up they realize their role to play in society and make it their duty to play their role to its full extent. This is how inequality begins.